Behestan Castle

Behestan Castle (Ancient Fortress)
Near the “Qizil Üzan” River and 20 KM from “Mahneshan” village in Zanjan province, is a historic castle that is different from all the castles you have ever seen.
The age of the castle dates back to the “Median” period, “Med”, “𐎶𐎠𐎭”, “Māda” was the name of one of the “Aryan” and royal tribes in northwestern Iran. “Aryans” entered the Iran Plateau around the second millennium BC and most important were the “Medes” and “Persians”; The “Medes” settled in a village called “Madabad”, 5 KM from Mahnashan village in about 17th century BC. Establishment of the Mede State as the First Government Based on the Unity of Different Ethnic Relations in Iran must be regarded as the most important event in ancient history of the world.In the western parts of Iran, there are other works of Median in the “Hegmataneh” hill.
The castle is at the foot of the “Elf chimneys” also known as the “Devil's Throne”. “Elf chimney” or “Hoodoo” is a geological phenomenon that results from the erosion of parts of the mountain with a sedimentary, soft body, The upper parts of Hoodoos are composed of a harder rock that is more resistant to erosion, because of this, the mountain becomes a special form of mushroom due to erosion.
The creators of the castle created rooms by digging mountains and unloading soils and rocks, the rooms have been handcrafted and corridors have been added to them. The whole space of the castle is divided into 3 categories of rooms, corridors and staircases.Gradually the number of floors of the castle increased and zigzag-shaped staircases are created on both sides of the castle which connected the floors.One of the staircases and a number of castle rooms are still in place.In “Behestan Castle” there are 64 small and large rooms and the remains of a stone pond, The fort has triangular or circular places on the walls to accommodate the burner, One of the most important parts of the castle that remains intact is the entrance to one of the stairs northwest of the castle.
Inside the castle is a pond measuring 7 by 3 meters in stone and mortar and its water was supplied by half-meter clay pipes.
The rulers have built this castle to defend themselves and the people, It was primarily the political and administrative center of the village and then the local governor's residence.
This citadel was also firmed after the Islamic period and until the fifth century.

This castle was build around 800 years ago, as a defensive castle. The first occupants dig the big (very big) stone and made a castle out of it. Unfortunately the river flow is damaging the foundation of this castle. Make sure to visit the remaining rooms and enjoy the carved decorations in it. The sunset scene is also fabulous.
Contact me if you wanted to give it a visit.

The "fairy chimney" or hoodoo of the castle is one of the kind. The structure is of sedimentary rock formed in a matter of years.
Located in Mahneshan, Zanjan province, Iran, this beautifully shaped structure stands all alone in the area.
As it is far from the main city it is not very much known by tourists and so deserted, which makes perfect for us to go about the place and take photos freely and uninterrupted.
I suggest that you go there in spring or autumn for the perfect weather.
Plan your trip for 2 or 3 days as there are a lot of monuments in towns near Mahneshan.

A castle like mountain which is formed because of different speeds of erosion in rock layers. There are carvings and rooms that are handmade and ancient. It was once used as a fortress.

Perfect Medes castle
The Medes /ˈmiːdz/ (Old Persian: 𐎶𐎠𐎭 Māda-; Akkadian mat Mādāya mat Mātāya;Ancient Greek: Μῆδοι Mēdoi; Latin: Medi) were an ancient Iranian people who spoke the Median language and who inhabited an area known as Media between western and northern Iran. Around the 11th century BC, they occupied the mountainous region of northwestern Iran and the northeastern and eastern region of Mesopotamia located in the region of Hamadan (Ecbatana). Their consolidation in Iran is believed to have occurred during the 8th century BC. In the 7th century BC, all of western Iran and some other territories were under Median rule, but their precise geographic extent remains unknown.

There was a camping stages with a roof but no walls.

A really interesting place

its was a very high castle that kept its greatness. too much high that i got vertigo when i was on top of hill next to the castle. a river is located next to the castle and its look like castles are seized by water in movies .

According to archaeological researches it dates back to the Achaemenid era . The castle includes rooms, corridors and stairs . it has  zigzag steps of the western and eastern sides.
The builders of Behestan castle , with regard to the original design, dig the mountain and drain the soils and rocks. They created rooms while any number added to rooms consequently their communication paths to collection were added as corridors. The general area of the castle divided into 3 categories. Including chambers, corridors and walkways. With jagged ceilings, with circular or triangular locations on the walls for the placement lighting.

Very unique natural monument that during the history in different periods people try to make and use it as a fortress.
Very beautiful and big river is under the walls of it.

One of the best sightseeing near Zandjan.

A historical nature-made wonderful castle in a green zone. Very amazing!
Full of ancient hand-made cave, room and homes around it.

Behestan castle is one of the best castles of iran.and castle is made in different form. age of castle in belongs to 3500 years agp by madian periode. the road and highways are made for reaching easy & river near castle made the nature amazing.

Behestan castle or Kohan Dej is one of the oldest castles in Iran from Medes civilisation around 700 B.C🌳🌳🌳 unfortunately all stairs were destroyed and nobody can go inside of the castle now...

This amazing huge castle made by sand and stone and you could see a lot of ruined walls and buildings around it.

An ancient castle was built inside the " hoodoos " structures

History through geology

wonderful! just wonderful...

really beautiful👌👌👌👌

let was beautiful and the city was excellent and hospitable