Goged Citadel

Goged Citadel is one of the most distinctive historical monuments of Isfahan Province. It stands in the city of Golpayegan, next to the old quarter of Goged. This adobe structure, attributed to the Safavid era, is regarded as the second-largest mud-brick building in Iran after the Arg-e Bam. Its rectangular plan, round towers at the four corners and high defensive walls show that, besides serving as a residence and trading post, the citadel also had a defensive role. Its location on the region's historic caravan routes reinforced its strategic importance in the past. In peacetime the citadel served as a caravanserai and a resting place for merchants and rulers, and in times of war or bandit raids it was turned into a military fortress. Today Goged Citadel operates as a traditional three-star hotel and is owned by the Arg-e Salar Golpayegan Company. The monument was inscribed on Iran's National Heritage List on 11 Bahman 1378 (31 January 2000) under registration number 2574.

Goged Citadel dates from the Zand and Qajar periods. The only surviving written document about the building is about 130 years old and records that half of the structure was given by a man named Alikhan to his wife as her marriage portion (mahriyeh), after which the citadel also became known as Alikhani Citadel. Over the centuries it has served many purposes, including a caravanserai, a base for military forces and even a refuge for local people in times of insecurity. Its lookout openings, stables, central courtyard and lodging areas show that the complex was designed to house caravans temporarily and to shelter livestock. The main building materials are raw mud brick, clay and wood, and despite the passing of time a considerable part of the structure still stands. In its day the citadel played an important role on the Silk Road and was a resting place for prominent figures, rulers and governors of Iran's provinces. There are also accounts that Agha Mohammad Khan Qajar stayed in this citadel for a few days during his military campaigns.

The layout of Goged Citadel reflects the class system of its time: the ground floor housed mules and muleteers, while the upper floors were the quarters of merchants and distinguished guests. Holes were also built into the high walls to serve as a security alarm system; pigeons were kept in them, and their noise at night warned of the arrival of intruders. This ingenious design shows the advanced engineering and defensive planning found in Iran's historic buildings. To reach Goged Citadel, drive from the centre of Golpayegan towards the town of Goged; the road is fully paved and the citadel lies a short distance from the main road. The best times to visit are spring and autumn, when the climate is milder; visiting a mud-brick complex in the intense heat of summer is not difficult either. Because the building is historic, responsible visiting plays an important part in preserving this valuable heritage: do not damage the mud-brick walls, avoid causing moisture or harming restored sections, and keep the site clean.