History meets nature in Hezar Darb Castle of Ilam Province
An archaeology graduate specializing in prehistoric studies has described the Hezar Darb Castle in Darrehshahr of Ilam Province as one of the region’s prominent tourist attractions, combining history and nature in a single landscape. The structure, built with stone and gypsum in a rectangular plan, dates back to the Sassanid period.
In an interview with ISNA, Habibollah Mahmoudian said the main façade of the monument features arched vaults, noting that its architectural characteristics suggest a probable military function.
He explained that the building’s primary layout is rectangular, with long corridors extending in four directions. These corridors connect to interior rooms through multiple doorways. The multi-story complex includes a basement, ground floor, and upper level, all constructed based on its foundational plan.
According to Mahmoudian, the thickness of the walls and the lack of open windows in corridors and rooms resulted in dark interior spaces. Ventilation and lighting were provided through nearly one-meter-wide openings in the ceilings and passageways. The structure’s materials consist of carved stones and river pebbles bound with fired gypsum mortar.
He added that foundation remains can be traced on all four sides of the fortress. The walls measure approximately 1.8 meters in thickness and are constructed from pebbles and gypsum.
He noted that the northern wall, overlooking a cliff, was built about four meters lower than the fortress’s main wall. Remains of another structure with similar materials can also be seen on the northern slope below the fortress, though its original purpose remains unknown.
Pottery fragments found around the site are mostly buff-colored, some with slips, and generally well-fired. Their decorations include rope-pattern reliefs and incised designs. The most distinctive pottery type is “Nishguni” ware from the Sassanid era, further confirming the fortress’s historical dating through its architectural style and construction materials.
Situated in a region with a rich cultural past, Hezar Darb Castle also reflects the broader history of Ilam Province, an area long inhabited since prehistoric times and home to significant Elamite, Parthian, and Sassanid settlements that shaped its enduring historical landscape.