Babak Fort

Babak Castle.

Pāpak Fort (Persian: دژ بابک‎‎) or Babak Castle^[1] (Persian: قلعه بابک‎‎), also known as the Immortal Castle or Republic Castle, is a large citadel and National Symbol of Iranians on the top of a mountain in the Arasbaran forests, which is located 6 km southwest of Kalibar City in northwestern Iran. It has been identified as the stronghold of Pāpak Khorramdin, the leader of the Khurramites in Azarbaijan who fought the Islamic caliphate of Abbassids.^[1] Iranian Azarbaijanis gather at Babak Castle during the first weekend in July for the annual commemoration of Babak Khorramdin.^[2]

The ascent to the Castle is not for the infirm, elderly, or those afraid of heights. A series of long, and in places, broken steps lead the traveler to the top of a hill from where there are several choices for further ascent. The easiest is straight in front of the steps and consists of a long dirt track. As there are no sign posts towards the Castle, walk towards the peak on your left hand side but do not leave the dirt track. You will need hiking boots, a sun hat, plenty of water, and at least 3 hours for the climb, and 2 hours for the descent. At the end of the dirt track, turn left onto the rocky mountain side, and beware of slipping. The first of sign of the ruins will appear on your left, but do not become too complacent: the actual Castle is another 2 peaks march away. The first peak offers spectacular views of the Castl. After ascending a second peak, with its own ruins, you will see the Castle perched on top a jagged cliff. Ascending the Castle steps is a dangerous process, as there are sheer cliffs on your right hand side, and no protective rails or fences to prevent a fall of several hundred meters. Take extreme care of the edge, and hold on to your children. Once you have climbed the pinnacle of the cliff, you will truly appreciated the amazing effort in building and maintaining a fort at this altitude. Unfortunately, you will also have to tolerate the graffiti on the ancient walls, and young people playing chicken on top of the Castle walls. Under no circumstances should you even consider climbing these walls: first, this can damage the ancient structure, and second, a fall of several thousands of meters would lead to certain death. Nevertheless, the experience afterward is well worth the strenuous climb: the surrounding Arasbaran oak forest, jagged cliffs, mountains in the distance, and the history of the place combine to create one of Iran's most beautiful vistas. The castle, built on 2300-2600 meter heights, surrounded by gorges as deep as 400 to 600 meters, is believed to belong to the Parthian dynasty and modified under the Sasanid dynasty. To reach the castle, one has to trek a tortuous and narrow passageway and then cross a corridor-shaped temple, 200 meters in lengths.^[3]

See also

• Iranian architecture
• Arasbaran forests

Notes

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Babak Fort.

• More Pictures in Tishineh

Iranian architecture Styles Parsian style pre-Parsian style Achaemenid architecture Parthian style Sassanid architecture Khorasani style Other Razi style Azeri style Isfahani style Elements Bazaars The Persian Garden (hayāt) Windcatchers Shabestan Kucheh Talar Iwan Howz Panjdari Hashti Andaruni Biruni Dalan e Vorudi Qanat Kariz Gonbad Ab anbar Yakhchal Caravanserais Robats Burj Khaneqah Tekyeh Sahn Imamzadeh Mosques Notable traditional cities Architecture of Tehran Bam Bukhara Ctesiphon Derbent Persepolis Hatra Gur-e Amir Isfahan Amol Baku Kashan Mashhad Merv Nakhchivan Nishapur Qazvin Qom Herat Samarkand Shahrisabz Shiraz Susa Tabriz Takht-i-Suleiman Yazd Ganja Theory and analysis Traditional Persian residential architecture Traditional water sources of Persian antiquity Islamic architecture Lists List of ab anbars of Qazvin List of historical Iranian architects List of mosques Args, castles, and ghal'ehs List of ziyarat-gahs

East Azerbaijan Province Capital Tabriz Counties and cities Ahar County Ahar Hurand Ajab Shir County Ajab Shir Khezerlu Azarshahr County Azarshahr Gugan Mamqan Bonab County Bonab Bostanabad County Bostanabad Tekmeh Dash Charuymaq County Qarah Aghaj Hashtrud County Hashtrud Nazarkahrizi Heris County Heris Bakhshayesh Khvajeh Kolvanaq Zarnaq Jolfa County Jolfa Hadishahr Siah Rud Kaleybar County Kaleybar Abish Ahmad Khoda Afarin County Khomarlu Malekan County Malekan Leylan Maragheh County Maragheh Kharaju Marand County Marand Bonab Jadid Koshksaray Yamchi Zonuz Mianeh County Mianeh Aqkand Tark Torkamanchay Osku County Osku Ilkhchi Sahand Sarab County Sarab Duzduzan Mehraban Sharabian Shabestar County Shabestar Khamaneh Kuzeh Kanan Sharafkhaneh Shendabad Sis Sufian Tasuj Vayqan Tabriz County Tabriz Basmenj Khosrowshahr Malek Kian Sardrud Shahriar Varzeqan County Varzeqan Kharvana Landmarks and sights Amir Nezam House Arasbaran Arg of Tabriz Azerbaijan Museum Babak Fort Bazaar of Tabriz Blue Mosque, Tabriz Eynali Quri-gol Haidar Zadeh house House of constitution Iron Age museum Jamee mosque of Tabriz Kandovan Khodaafarin Bridges Maqbaratoshoara Maragheh observatory Museum of Ostad Bohtouni Saint Stepanos Monastery El-Gölü Tabriz Municipality Zahhak Castle Kiz bridge Places List of cities, towns and villages in East Azerbaijan Province

Coordinates: 38°50′13″N 46°58′52″E / 38.8369°N 46.9812°E / 38.8369; 46.9812