Arg of Karim Khan

We loved this place. If you want to know about real Shiraz and the history, you should visit this place. You can walk easily from Vakil Bazzar and I suggest after visiting this historical place just go and try “Faloodeh Shirazy”.

Karim Khan Citadel or Karim Khan Prison is one of the attractions of the city of poetry and literature. This magnificent and beautiful building was built by Karimkhan Zand, known as Vakil al-Raaya, in 1180 AH. After coming to power and choosing Shiraz as the seat of his rule, he decided to build a large square in the north of old Shiraz, like Naqsh Jahan Square in Isfahan. In the past, this square was called Topkhaneh, on the north side of which was Diwankhaneh Karimkhan, on the east side of Vakil Bazaar Square and several caravanserais, on the south side of Hammam Square and Vakil Mosque, on the southwest side of that garden, and on the west side of Arg and Andoroni Square.

Karimkhan Citadel has seen various uses over time. Once upon a time, this citadel was considered the place of life and reign of Karim Khan. After the conquest of Shiraz by Agha Mohammad Khan Qajar, due to the hostility and enmity he had with Karim Khan; He ordered the destruction of some Karimkhani buildings, and as a result of this decision, a number of Zandiyeh buildings, including the city wall, were destroyed. Fortunately, the building of the citadel was protected from destruction and it was used as the residence of the princes who were chosen by the central government to be the governorship and governorship of Fars.

It's a city wall right in the middle of the center. You may find yourself listening to a street musician's poetic and unique performance in Persian along with the enthusiasm of the lively crowd while eating your "Faloodeh" or the Shirazi ice cream under the mystic lightning. :)

Karim Khan Citadel of Shiraz

One of the most spectacular places in Shiraz is Karim Khan Citadel. This castle, which is located in the center of the city, was built during the reign of Zandieh and by the order of Karim Khan Zand. And since he was living in this castle, it became known as Karimkhani Citadel. Most of the materials of Karim Khan citadel of Shiraz are stone and brick. On the outer body of the walls and its four towers, simple and beautiful patterns can be seen. At the top of the citadel, you can see crescent-shaped holes that have been made for shooting. In the four corners of the castle there are four guard towers with a height of 14 meters, inside of which there is a spiral staircase and two rooms, one for the guards to rest and the other for storing weapons. These towers are probably slightly tilted due to landslides.
There are rooms around the courtyard that lead to each other and are beautifully decorated. The stained glass of the rooms also has a captivating beauty when the sun shines into the rooms. The floor of the courtyard is paved with large sawdust stones. The large fountain located among the gardens full of orange trees makes this residential / war fortress much more pleasant. Another part of the citadel building is its bath, which is decorated with very valuable motifs. This place was used as a prison during the first Pahlavi era.

It's a very nice and historical place. The entrance fee at this time is 5000 toman. There are plenty of traditional ice cream shops and restaurants behind the citadel.
You can find a parking nearby 1 hour 5000 toman.

One of the bests in Shiraz city ,, very old castle (Arge in persian means castle) , Don't miss visiting this place.

The Arg of Karim Khan, located in the heart of Shiraz, is a historical gem that transports visitors back in time to the era of the Zand dynasty. This imposing citadel, built in the 18th century by Karim Khan, serves as a testament to the architectural prowess and grandeur of its time. Stepping through its gates, one is greeted by intricately designed tilework, towering walls, and ornate gardens that exude an aura of regal splendor. The Arg offers a glimpse into the opulent lifestyle of Persian royalty, with its lavish reception halls, tranquil courtyards, and majestic wind towers. The site is not only a visual feast for history enthusiasts and architecture aficionados but also a serene retreat for those seeking a moment of respite amidst the hustle and bustle of modern life. A visit to the Arg of Karim Khan is a journey through time, where the echoes of the past mingle with the whispers of the present, leaving an indelible mark on all who wander its hallowed halls.

The Karim Khan Citadel is one of the most significant historical places in Shiraz's old part, and my advice is to seek assistance when visiting this place.

Very elegant structure,
There was a bathroom inside and a building with ancient drawings and patterns on it

A very nice citadel about 3 hundred years old. It was build during Karim Khan's era and in the last century it was converted to a prison. Guides told us interesting points about it and it was a real joy to see the passage of history through every wall, door and roof.

It reminds me of the Leaning Tower of Piza. Powerful structure. I liked it. I had an opportunity to mix here with different strata of Iranian society - soldiers, teenagers, ladies wearing their usual head scarves, etc. All of them very nice, polite people.

World class touristic site. Not very well cared though. Some restoration works really look weird and non relevant due to the modern materials they used. 200.000 IRR entry fee is worth to pay compared to the other sites. In fact it is really strange that all the touristic sites have the same entry fee. Most of them are not even worth seeing but this place pays all back.

I live this place. It very historical and artistic place to visit. Worth the visit. If you are there visit the hand made workshop, great place to buy traditional hand made pieces of art. Highly recommended

The Karim Khan Citadel was built in 1180 as part of a palace to be used by the King Karim Khan of the Zand dynasty. Later during the Qajar period, it was used to house the governor of the Fars Province. During the 20th century, under the last Shah, it was used as a prison.
There is also a small museum in the Citadel that gives an idea of the life in the palace under King Karim Khan.

The Arg of Karim Khan or Karim Khan Prison was the residence of Karim Khan and where he ruled. It was built in 1180 AH (1766-7) as part of a complex during the Zand dynasty and is named after Karim Khan, and served as his living quarters. It is the biggest and the most important building of the Zand Dynasty. The citadel is located North-East of Shiraz. Its shape resembles a medieval fortress.
Karim Khan invited the best architects and artists of the time and bought the best materials from other cities and abroad for the construction of the citadel and had it constructed quickly. The design of the citadel combines military and residential architectures for it was the residence of Karim Khan and had to have high security. Hence, the exterior walls, which essentially resemble the walls of a military castle, are quite tall.

Thus the utter walls, which resemble the walls of a military castle, are very high with a height of about 15 meters.
The citadel consists of four high walls. The lower section of the exterior walls is three meters in width. It is shaped like an incomplete cone and its width at the top reaches 2.8 meters. In the upper section of the wall, there is a small chamber, which houses soldiers and guards. Ramparts are built around the top of a castle with regular gap, some of which are small and diagonal for firing arrows or guns. The bigger gaps were for repelling the enemy.
The palace’s entrance hall is rather large. Located in the eastern side of the citadel, it has one door which opens to the horse stable and another door, which opens toward the roof.
Above  the entrance gate there is a beautiful painting depicting a scene from the battle between Rostam and the White Demon, two mythical personas in the renowned Iranian poet Ferdowsi’s masterpiece ’Shahnameh’. Colorful enameled tiles are used in the painting.  The king’s private bathroom, hall and guards’ residence are constructed behind this wall.
There is a balcony in front of which there are two wooden columns and a square pond. The walls of the citadel are made of stone and baked clay is used in other parts of the building.
Interior decorations include marbles of Yazd and Tabriz and large mirrors bought from Europe, Ottoman Turkey and Russia. Herbal colors and gold plates are used in the ceilings’ ornaments. The rooms are mainly decorated with flora designs.
The citadel has three palaces and its entrance angle is allocated to services section. After the fall of Zand Dynasty and during the Qajar period, the citadel was used as the governor’s seat and turned into the residence of Fars governors. This situation continued until the early years after the coming to power of the Pahlavi dynasty.
The tiles of the citadel were repaired at the order of the then governor, Prince Abdulhossein Mirza Farmanfarma (1857-1939). It was converted to the big city prison and was put at the disposal of the police department during the reign of Reza Shah, the first Pahlavi monarch (1925-1941) and afterwards.
During all this time, all paintings were covered with plaster and all rooms and halls were turned into small prison cells by constructing walls.
The citadel building was put at the disposal of the Cultural Heritage Organization and from this time attention is paid to rehabilitation of the building.
Great attention has been paid to rehabilitation of the citadel to preserve the genuineness of the building and its beautiful paintings have been brought to light from under the plaster-work.
This is one of the most important monuments of the Zand era and especially that of Karim Khan. It is also important because of depicting the architectural style of this era.

The Karim Khan Castle (Persian: Arg-e Karim Khan) is a citadel located in the downtown Shiraz, southern Iran. It was built as part of a complex during the Zand dynastyand is named after Karim Khan, and served as his living quarters. In shape it resembles a medieval fortress. Arg-e-Karim Khan was built in 1180 AH (1766-7). Karim Khan invited the best architects and artists of the time and bought the best materials from other cities and abroad for the construction of the castle of Karim Khan, which was quickly constructed. During the Zand dynasty it was used by the king as living quarters. During the Qajar period it was used as the governor's seat.
Prince Abdolhosein Mirza Farmanfarma, governor of Fars Province, ordered the miniatures in the castle to be renovated.
After the fall of the Qajar Dynasty it was converted into a prison and the paintings were plastered over. In 1971 it was given to Iran's Cultural Heritage Organization. The renovation of the castle started in 1977.

All the historical places in Shiraz are lovely and highly recommende to be visited

Enormous walls making it looking as a rough castle from outside, but inside lots of beautiful orange trees, nice historical building with many drawings on the walls and ceiling, also the colorful glasses of windows add a heavenly taste to its inner atmosphere...
This place is marvelous

• The Arg of Karim Khan' or Karim Khan Citadel is a citadel located in downtown Shiraz, Iran. It was built as part of a complex during the Zand dynasty. It is named after Karim Khan, and served as his living quarters. It is rectangular in shape and resembles a medieval fortress in European countries. It is currently under renovating procedure as some parts have been somehow ruined.The residential buildings of the citadel are located in the northern, western, and southern part. The rooms of these buildings are decorated with Iranian artistic architecture like muarnas and the like. One interesting point about these rooms is that they are all interconnected.
• Traditional Baths, Prisons and Warehouses were of great significance.

There's no any tourist had came to Shiraz and not seen the Karimkhan citadel!