Hashtrood Zahak Castle
Zahak Castle, which was registered on the list of national monuments of Iran in 1966, is one of the vast castles of ancient times. Zahak Castle is located 16 km southeast of Hashtrood city and East Azarbaijan province on top of the Sermeh mountain range.
From the east, north and south sides, the castle is surrounded by Qaranqo and Shurchai rivers like an island and the only land access to the castle is the southwestern part of the castle. Zahak Castle has an area of about 10 km in length and 1 to 2 km in width. Zahak castle was discovered by a British person for the first time in 1833. He described the site as an ancient fire temple. In 1841, Rawlinson believed it to be a Sassanid castle, contrary to the former theory. In general, most scholars attribute its works to the Parthian and Sassanid eras according to the evidence in Zahak Castle. It should be noted that the fort was also used in Islamic times. Zahak Castle has been mentioned in historical sources with various names such as, Ezhdeha fortress (Dragon Fortress), Qiz Qalaesi, Dash Qalausi. In addition, words such as Baroas, Ruidaj, and Qale Goyi refer to this castle. Apart from the evidence that indicates the military function of the fort, Zahak Fortress seems to be an Anahita temple, associated with Mehr worship.
Features of Zahak Castle
Zahak Castle, one of the most important tourist attractions of East Azerbaijan, was both a military and residential castle, which can also be called the city castle. The castle has several sections. The famous building with a pavilion or Chahar taqi is the only building in the castle that has remained largely intact; the pavilion had a rough brick arch. According to some archaeologists, this Chahar taqi was not used to light fires, but it was used as a watchtower because the building had a complete view over the surrounding valleys and plains. Brick hall, cross-shaped buildings, watchtower are among the other buildings discovered in the castle. During the excavations of this fort, buildings made of either clay or stone were found, with each of which having a different function; horizontal and vertical methods are used in brick-laying. In addition to strengthening the building, this method is also important in terms of aesthetics. Among the decorations used in the castle buildings, we can mention the plastering and murals, which were either obtained during the excavations of the area under the rubble or found on the remaining walls. The motifs used include geometric, human, animal and plant ones with religious and government themes. The most important image in the building, which many consider to be similar to Mithra in the ritual of worship, is a crow that has its paws on the back of a cow.
Tags: Attractions, castle , Hashtrood Zahak Castle
