Falak-ol-Aflak (Persian: فلک الافلاک, lit. 'the sky of the skies') or Shapur Khast Castle (Persian: دژ شاپورخواست) is a castle situated on the top of a large hill with the same name within the city of Khorramabad, the regional capital of Lorestan province, Iran. This gigantic structure was built during the Sassanid era (224–651).[1]
The Khorramabad River runs past the eastern and south-western side of the Falak-ol-Aflak hill providing the fortress some natural protection on those sides. Today, the western and northern sides of the hill are bordered by the residential districts of Khorramabad.
Falak-ol-Aflak castle is amongst the most important structures built during the Sassanid era. It has been known by a number of names since it was built over 1800 years ago. Recorded names have referred to it as Shapur-Khast or Sabr-Khast fortress, Dezbaz, Khoramabad castle, and ultimately the Falak-ol-Aflak Castle.
Under the Pahlavi dynasty, after being used as a prison until 1968, it was transformed into a museum complex.
Architectural layout
The foundations of the actual castle measure approximately 300 by 400 metres (980 ft × 1,310 ft). The height of the entire structure, including the hill, reaches to 40 meters above the surrounding area.
The castle itself covers an area of 5,300 square metres (57,000 sq ft). The perimeter extends for 2,860 metres (9,380 ft) in perimeter and its tallest wall is 22.5 metres high. This space is divided into four large halls, and their associated rooms and corridors. The rooms all surround two courtyards with the following measurements: the first courtyard measures 31 by 22.5 metres (102 ft × 74 ft) and the second 29 by 21 metres (95 ft × 69 ft). When originally built the castle used to have 12 towers, but only eight remain standing today.
The building's entrance is situated towards the north, within the body of the northwestern tower.
The water well of the fortress lies in the area behind the first courtyard. Reaching a depth of 40 meters, the majority of the well's shaft is carved into the rock in order to reach the source of the Golestan spring. The well remains usable to this day.
The materials used in the construction of the fortress are mud-bricks, mud-fired bricks, stone, wood, and mortar.
Archaeological studies have identified the existence of a two layered rampart with twelve towers around the present day construction. This surrounding rampart mainly stretched westward. From the twelve original towers, only two remain and these are situated northwest and southwest of the existing fortress.
Falak ol aflak castle is in center of Khorramabad city
Dehumidifier
Falak ol-Aflak Castle appears to have been built with a dehumidifier system.
Previously, the experts believed these dehumidifier canals with a height of more than 1 meter covering all the area beneath the castle were hide-outs for the residents. But in reality, due to being aware of the changing climate in the region and the underground waters, the Sassanid engineers have equipped the castle with a dehumidifier.
Falak ol-Aflak castle is made with different materials like stone and wood that are vulnerable to humidity. That is why the castle was built on the highest point of the city of Khoram-abad, so that the wind could penetrate the building and dry its foundations.
Current status
The castle is managed by the Iran Cultural Heritage Organisation and a protected site.
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Falak-ol-Aflak.
February 27, 2023
falak, aflak, this, article, needs, additional, citations, verification, please, help, improve, this, article, adding, citations, reliable, sources, unsourced, material, challenged, removed, find, sources, news, newspapers, books, scholar, jstor, april, 2022, . This article needs additional citations for verification Please help improve this article by adding citations to reliable sources Unsourced material may be challenged and removed Find sources Falak ol Aflak news newspapers books scholar JSTOR April 2022 Learn how and when to remove this template message Falak ol Aflak Persian فلک الافلاک lit the sky of the skies or Shapur Khast Castle Persian دژ شاپورخواست is a castle situated on the top of a large hill with the same name within the city of Khorramabad the regional capital of Lorestan province Iran This gigantic structure was built during the Sassanid era 224 651 1 Shapur Khastدژ شاپورخواستLocation within IranGeneral informationTypefortressLocationKhoramabad Luristan IranCoordinates33 29 01 N 48 21 12 E 33 4837 N 48 3534 E 33 4837 48 3534 Coordinates 33 29 01 N 48 21 12 E 33 4837 N 48 3534 E 33 4837 48 3534Estimated completionSasanian era 224 651 The Khorramabad River runs past the eastern and south western side of the Falak ol Aflak hill providing the fortress some natural protection on those sides Today the western and northern sides of the hill are bordered by the residential districts of Khorramabad Contents 1 History 2 Architectural layout 2 1 Surrounding structures 2 2 Dehumidifier 3 Current status 4 See also 5 References 6 External linksHistory EditFalak ol Aflak castle is amongst the most important structures built during the Sassanid era It has been known by a number of names since it was built over 1800 years ago Recorded names have referred to it as Shapur Khast or Sabr Khast fortress Dezbaz Khoramabad castle and ultimately the Falak ol Aflak Castle Under the Pahlavi dynasty after being used as a prison until 1968 it was transformed into a museum complex Architectural layout EditThe foundations of the actual castle measure approximately 300 by 400 metres 980 ft 1 310 ft The height of the entire structure including the hill reaches to 40 meters above the surrounding area The castle itself covers an area of 5 300 square metres 57 000 sq ft The perimeter extends for 2 860 metres 9 380 ft in perimeter and its tallest wall is 22 5 metres high This space is divided into four large halls and their associated rooms and corridors The rooms all surround two courtyards with the following measurements the first courtyard measures 31 by 22 5 metres 102 ft 74 ft and the second 29 by 21 metres 95 ft 69 ft When originally built the castle used to have 12 towers but only eight remain standing today The building s entrance is situated towards the north within the body of the northwestern tower The water well of the fortress lies in the area behind the first courtyard Reaching a depth of 40 meters the majority of the well s shaft is carved into the rock in order to reach the source of the Golestan spring The well remains usable to this day The materials used in the construction of the fortress are mud bricks mud fired bricks stone wood and mortar Panorama of Falak ol aflak Castle Surrounding structures EditArchaeological studies have identified the existence of a two layered rampart with twelve towers around the present day construction This surrounding rampart mainly stretched westward From the twelve original towers only two remain and these are situated northwest and southwest of the existing fortress Falak ol aflak castle is in center of Khorramabad city Dehumidifier Edit Falak ol Aflak Castle appears to have been built with a dehumidifier system Previously the experts believed these dehumidifier canals with a height of more than 1 meter covering all the area beneath the castle were hide outs for the residents But in reality due to being aware of the changing climate in the region and the underground waters the Sassanid engineers have equipped the castle with a dehumidifier Falak ol Aflak castle is made with different materials like stone and wood that are vulnerable to humidity That is why the castle was built on the highest point of the city of Khoram abad so that the wind could penetrate the building and dry its foundations Current status EditThe castle is managed by the Iran Cultural Heritage Organisation and a protected site See also EditSassanid architecture Iranian architectureReferences Edit قلعه فلک الافلاک نگین خرم آباد Young Journalists Club Retrieved 21 December 2019 External links Edit Wikimedia Commons has media related to Falak ol Aflak Lorestan Province Cultural Heritage Organization Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Falak ol Aflak amp oldid 1128257002, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
