Alamut Castle was a strategically fortress located on top of a mountain in Iran. This castle was the center of the Ismaili Nizari cult founded by Hasan-i Sabbah in the late 11th century. As a leader he selected Alamut fortress as the center of his activities in which his followers, the Assassins lived and did the guerilla terror against their enemies. The castle was famous for its gardens. Elements of Iranian architecture such as arches, domes and tiling were used in the architecture of Alamut Castle. These elements have given a special beauty and glory to the castle. Alamut resisted for about two centuries under Nizari control and finally it was captured by the Seljuks in 13th century which was a finish to the Ismaili activities in Iran.
History of Alamut Castle
Alamut Castle was built for the first time around 8th century by Wahsudan bin Marzban, the ruler of Justanid Daylam, who was a follower of Zaydi Shiism. His strong reason for building the fort cites a hunting trip where he saw a mounting eagle perched atop an inaccessible rock. He realized that this location had tactical advantages for a fortress. This story was the reason for choosing Alamut as the name of this castle, which means eagle’s nest.
The next chapter in the history of Alamut Castle began in 11th century with the purchase of the castle by Hasan Sabah, and it is the beginning of the Alamut period in Ismaili Nizari history. Hasan Sabbah found Alamut as a suitable fortress to pursue his religious goals and guerrilla activities by his followers, the Alamut Castle Assassins.
While the Seljuk court was troubled by internal strife, he took this opportunity to make Alamut inaccessible. He developed the fortifications and arranged very large storehouses with sufficient provisions for long sieges. After a short while, the Seljuk army under the command of Amir Yurantash began attacking Alamut Castle, which was the beginning of a long-term struggle.
The Architecture of Alamut Castle
The amazing architecture of Alamut Fort is interesting for people who follow the history of Nizari Ismailis.
Alamut is naturally a tower-shaped rock with steep slopes. Its peak is large and wide, on which buildings can be constructed. From the inside, the castle consisted of several different parts, towers, gates and tunnels. As you can see in the Alamut castle photos, from the outside, the panoramic view of the Alborz Mountain range and the fertile plains of the Alamut Valley surrounds the castle.
The skill and creativity of Ismaili architects in providing sufficient water to that peak is impressive. They built a complex water system of underground canals to transport water from nearby springs and streams to the castle. This system not only supplied the water needed by the residents of the fort, but was also a defense mechanism by making floods in case of an enemy attack.
To keep the fortress independent for more endurance, complex cultivation and irrigation systems were designed to produce enough food in the fortress, which was also implemented in other main Ismaili fortresses.
The brain of all these extraordinary thoughts was Hasan Sabah, who studied a lot and was in touch with the latest science of his age. He established an important library of manuscript collections and scientific instruments in Alamut which all destroyed by the Seljuks.
Different Parts of Alamut Castle
Alamut Castle had two lower and upper castles and different residential, administrative, military and religious spaces. In the residential part, the houses and residences of the rulers and their assistants were located. In the administrative part, there was work rooms and meeting places. In the military sector, there were weapon depots, barracks and places where military forces were stationed. In the religious section, there was a mosque, a school and a library.
- Guard towers: The guard rooms were dug into the rocks of the mountain.
- Entrance & Moat: Alamut Castle had only one entrance in the northeastern part of the castle. Around the castle, there was a deep moat as a defensive structure to prevent the attacks.
- Rooms: There were rooms for the residences of the Alamut castle assassins. An amazing room was a 12-meters-high and 1-meter-wide room next to the northern wall of the castle with a small water hole in it that is always filled with water.
- Reservoir: In the eastern part of Alamut Castle, there were three small cisterns carved into the rock.
- Castle library: Alamut Castle Library was the most important part where rare and exquisite books were kept. The main part of the library burned down after the conquest of the castle by the Seljuks.
- Stairs: Stone stairs were built in the Qajar period. Before that people used mule for transportation.
- Vine tree: This tree is located in the southwest of the castle and it is said that this tree was planted by Hasan Sabbah himself.
- Secret underground passages: Alamut Castle had a network of secret ways and underground passages which were used in times of danger.
Alamut & Hassan Sabah
Alamut Castle was a strategically located fortress on top of a mountain in Iran. It was the center of the Ismaili Nizari movement founded by Hasan-i Sabbah in the late 11th century. Hasan Sabbah was a charismatic leader who turned Alamut into a resistant fortress. Sabbah’s followers, who are known as the Alamut Castle Assassins, launched the campaign of terror against their enemies from this castle. Alamut, a symbol of power, remained under Nizari control for almost two centuries until its fall to the Mongols (Seljuqs).
Who was Hassan Sabah?
Hasan Sabbah was the founder of the medieval Nizari Ismaili cult in Iran in the 9th century. His contemporary Nizari Ismailis referred to him as Sayyedana, which means our master. His father was of Yemeni origin and migrated from Kufa to Qom where Hasan was born. As the last stop of the family’s migration, they settled in Ray, which was the center of the Ismaili religion at that time. In Ray, Hasan, who was born as a “Twelfth Shiite”, converted to Ismailia.
He progressed to the point where he was appointed to high positions, then left for Cairo to continue his Ismaili studies. During this period, he developed his revolutionary strategy against the Seljuks who ruled Iran. Considering all the strategic location of Alamut Castle, he chose this castle in the central Alborz Mountains as the headquarters of his activities against Khajeh Nezam ol-Mulk and the Seljuks.
Hasan Sabbah has stated in his autobiography that he dreamed of becoming a religious scholar since he was seven years old. He was also proficient in geometry and astronomy. For this, he collected a large library of important and rare handwritten books in Alamut Castle and spent most of his time studying and thinking. Hasan-i Sabbah is considered one of the founders of guerrilla thinking in history. He never launched massive attacks and usually ordered the devotees to counter-attack.
Who were the Assassins?
The Alamut Castle Assassins were a Muslim sect whose members received careful military, academic and religious training to be able to accurately strike their targets. They were the followers of Hasan-i Sabbah who lived in the castles of the Alamut Valley.
Where is the Alamut Castle?
As you see in the Alamut Castle photos, it is located in the Alamut Valley in the province of Qazvin in the north of Iran. It is located on the top of 2163 meters high rock in the northeast of Gazor Khan village.
There are more than 300 stone steps to the castle. This mountain route is difficult to pass and may take 1.5-4 hours to reach the top.
How and When to Visit the Alamut Castle?
To reach the castle, you have to climb more than 300 stone steps, however, at the beginning of the mountain path, there are mules available.
As Alamut castle reviews show, it can be visited all year round. However, due to being located in the mountainous area, the best time is spring and summer when the weather is pleasant and the greenery creates beautiful landscapes. The most beautiful months are from mid-May to mid-August to take fantastic Alamut castle photos.
Famous People Who Visited Alamut Castle
Marco Polo, the Venetian explorer, in his “Book of Wonders”, describes a group of Muslims, the Assassins, who spread terror among both Christians and Muslims in the Middle East.
After reading about the Alamut valley in the travelogues of Marco Polo, Freya Stark, arranged an expedition to find the remnants of this castle during her longer journey across the Middle East in the 20th century. Freya Stark not only documented this historical monument but also gave a new birth to it as her writings inspired many others’ curiosity to explore the wonders of the region and make a connection between past and present.
Must-Sees Around Alamut Castle
Based on Alamut Castle reviews, it is a historic gem nestled in the Qazvin province. But this province is home to many other monuments.
Lambesar castle: Another Ismaili castle.
Saad O-Saltaneh House: The most spacious caravanserai in the Middle East.
Chehlsetun Palace Museum: The only surviving Safavid palace in Qazvin.
Ovan Lake: Magical Lake near Alamut Castle.
Qazvin historical market: A precious heritage from the Safavid era.
Frequently Asked Questions about Alamut Castle
What is the best time of year to visit Alamut Castle?
Alamut castle can be visited all year round. However, due to being located in the mountainous area, the best time is spring and summer when the weather is pleasant and the greenery creates beautiful landscapes. The most beautiful months are from mid-May to mid-August to take fantastic Alamut castle photos.
What should I bring with me when visiting Alamut Castle?
Hiking to the Alamut Castle can be long and hard, it is recommended to have suitable hiking shoes, sunscreen, sunglasses, enough water, cap or hat, warm clothes and food, raincoat and umbrella if needed. A camera is an integral part of this trip that can record your memories.
Are there any facilities at Alamut Castle?
Facilities such as restrooms, shopping booths, parking lot and stalls selling local products and handicrafts are available.
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