Qajar-Era Ardalan Castle faces urgent restoration crisis
The head of Tuyserkan’s Department of Cultural Heritage, Tourism and Handicrafts has warned that Ardalan Castle, a historic monument in Oshtoran village, requires urgent restoration due to severe deterioration. The castle is considered one of the valuable Qajar-era structures in Tuyserkan, Hamedan Province.
More than a century after its construction and nearly two decades after its national registration, the monument is now facing serious erosion and an immediate need for emergency conservation work, mehrnews.com wrote.
The castle has long been recognized as one of Hamedan Province’s notable historic fortresses. Built in a strategic location on heights overlooking the village and along the old Hamadan–Tuyserkan route, the structure once stood on an important regional communication path.
Historical accounts and local documents indicate that Ardalan Castle was built during the Qajar period and served both military and residential purposes. The complex features defensive elements, including towers, thick walls and multiple interior spaces, and once played an important role in controlling travel routes and protecting the surrounding area. Its location near Mount Khan Gormez further enhanced its geographic and defensive significance, placing it among the region’s prominent historical landmarks.
However, the condition of the monument has significantly deteriorated in recent years. The passage of time, climatic conditions, rainfall and the lack of continuous professional restoration have caused severe erosion in parts of the castle. Field assessments indicate that some walls and structural sections are in critical condition, raising concerns over the possible collapse of parts of the building if deterioration continues.
Although restoration work was carried out on sections of the castle in 2017, the large scale of the structure and limited funding meant that the efforts were restricted to partial repairs and failed to stop the overall decline. As a result, heritage experts have once again raised concerns and emphasized the urgent need for comprehensive restoration.
Mohammad Ahmadi, head of Tuyserkan’s Department of Cultural Heritage, Tourism and Handicrafts, said that emergency restoration of sections at risk of collapse has been placed on the agenda and will be carried out this year if the necessary funds are allocated.
He added that the proper restoration and revival of the site could help attract tourists and turn Ardalan Castle into one of the main pillars of tourism development in Tuyserkan.
Ahmadi also pointed to the village’s broader tourism potential, noting that despite its natural and historical attractions, Oshtaran currently lacks eco-tourism accommodation facilities. Establishing such infrastructure, he said, could boost tourism, create employment opportunities and contribute to reverse migration in the area.
Experts believe that expanding eco-tourism alongside the restoration of historical sites can play an important role in preserving the cultural identity of villages and strengthening local economies — a need that has become increasingly important for Oshtaran.
The future of Oshtaran’s historic castle depends largely on securing funding and carrying out immediate restoration measures; failure to act could result in the loss of one of the region’s most important heritage sites.