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Rayen Citadel — Attraction in Rayen

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Rayen Citadel
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The Rayen Castle is an adobe castle 100 kilometers south of Kerman province, Iran. The historic fortress is situated on the outskirts of the Hezar Masjed Mountains. The medieval mudbrick city of Rayen is similar to Arg-e Bam which was destroyed in an earthquake in December of 2003.
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Rayen Citadel
IranKerman ProvinceRayenRayen Citadel

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Rayen Citadel

HCVQ+86X, Rayen, Kerman Province, Iran
4.6(218)
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The Rayen Castle is an adobe castle 100 kilometers south of Kerman province, Iran. The historic fortress is situated on the outskirts of the Hezar Masjed Mountains. The medieval mudbrick city of Rayen is similar to Arg-e Bam which was destroyed in an earthquake in December of 2003.

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The historical citadel of Rain is located in the city of Rain in Kerman province. The history of the Rhine Citadel dates back to the Sasanian period. It has sixteen observation towers. The height of the walls of this large clay and clay complex reaches more than ten meters. The Rhine Citadel is an organ related to the Samani period located in Kerman Province, Kerman County, southwest of the current city of Rain, and this work was registered as one of the national works of Iran on April 1, 1345 with the registration number 12867. This brick building is much smaller than Arg Bam; But it is similar to it and is located on top of a hill. The Rhine Citadel is one of the most famous adobe buildings in the world. This large historical monument with an area of ​​more than twenty two thousand square meters seems to be very small in front of the Bam citadel and seems like a small part of it; [citation needed] but it hosts domestic and foreign tourists every year. The Rhine Citadel is built in the Sassanid architectural style. The plan of the castle is almost square and decorated with several towers around. The castle is surrounded by a fence whose height is more than ten meters. The only entrance to the castle is from the eastern front, which leads to the inner courtyard with a large and magnificent door. The elements of the castle are the bazaar, the governor's residence, noble houses, four warehouses, the fire temple and the common quarters. This castle has a public and noble part, and the architectural spaces needed by the people, such as the school and the quarantine building, can be seen in it. Its general material is raw clay and it is relatively resistant to the weapons of its time
Lefteris StamatelatosLefteris Stamatelatos
Rayen Citadel, located near Kerman, Iran, is an ancient adobe fortress from the Sassanid era, over a thousand years old. It is the world’s second-largest adobe citadel after Arg-e Bam, covering more than 22,000 square meters on the slopes of the Hezar Mountains at 2,200 meters. The fort has massive walls, 16 defensive towers, and a single entrance gate, showcasing ancient Persian military architecture. Once a stronghold and trading hub on an important route between Kerman, Jiroft, and Bandar Abbas, Rayen was known for textile and weapon production. The citadel was inhabited until about 1868 and includes residential quarters, a marketplace, a mosque, a bathhouse, a school, and a governing complex. The ruler's area features the finest buildings, including multi-story homes and courtyards, reflecting social class divisions. Rayen Citadel has withstood numerous natural disasters and invasions, thanks to its fortified walls and strategic hilltop location. It has hidden escape routes and a sophisticated defense system, representing ancient urban planning and craftsmanship. Today, the citadel is a popular tourist site with preserved structures and scenic views of the desert and nearby natural attractions like Rayen Waterfall and Mount Hezar. The best visiting seasons are spring and autumn, offering comfortable weather to explore this historical treasure.
Sina HasanpourSina Hasanpour
Rayen Castle is an adobe castle 100 Kilometers south of Kerman province. It is situated on the skirts of the mountain Hezar. The medieval mudbrick city of Rayen is similar to Arg-e Bam which was destroyed in an earthquake in December 2003. Rayen displays all the architectural elements of a deserted citadel. It is extremely well preserved, despite numerous natural disasters that have destroyed similar structures nearby, and it is one of the most interesting sites in Iran. It is thought that it dates back to pre-islamic Sassanid-era. • You can easily find the route to the citadel in Rayen city. Navigation signs are everywhere! 👍🏻 • Before buying ticket, ask attendant to give you a gist of guidance, like where to begin and end, even though there are signs on your way. • Due to Coronavirus situation, timetable has changed for visitors. Therefore it is better to call and inform oneself in advance, in case of any further notices regarding closure.
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The historical citadel of Rain is located in the city of Rain in Kerman province. The history of the Rhine Citadel dates back to the Sasanian period. It has sixteen observation towers. The height of the walls of this large clay and clay complex reaches more than ten meters. The Rhine Citadel is an organ related to the Samani period located in Kerman Province, Kerman County, southwest of the current city of Rain, and this work was registered as one of the national works of Iran on April 1, 1345 with the registration number 12867. This brick building is much smaller than Arg Bam; But it is similar to it and is located on top of a hill. The Rhine Citadel is one of the most famous adobe buildings in the world. This large historical monument with an area of ​​more than twenty two thousand square meters seems to be very small in front of the Bam citadel and seems like a small part of it; [citation needed] but it hosts domestic and foreign tourists every year. The Rhine Citadel is built in the Sassanid architectural style. The plan of the castle is almost square and decorated with several towers around. The castle is surrounded by a fence whose height is more than ten meters. The only entrance to the castle is from the eastern front, which leads to the inner courtyard with a large and magnificent door. The elements of the castle are the bazaar, the governor's residence, noble houses, four warehouses, the fire temple and the common quarters. This castle has a public and noble part, and the architectural spaces needed by the people, such as the school and the quarantine building, can be seen in it. Its general material is raw clay and it is relatively resistant to the weapons of its time
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Rayen Citadel, located near Kerman, Iran, is an ancient adobe fortress from the Sassanid era, over a thousand years old. It is the world’s second-largest adobe citadel after Arg-e Bam, covering more than 22,000 square meters on the slopes of the Hezar Mountains at 2,200 meters. The fort has massive walls, 16 defensive towers, and a single entrance gate, showcasing ancient Persian military architecture. Once a stronghold and trading hub on an important route between Kerman, Jiroft, and Bandar Abbas, Rayen was known for textile and weapon production. The citadel was inhabited until about 1868 and includes residential quarters, a marketplace, a mosque, a bathhouse, a school, and a governing complex. The ruler's area features the finest buildings, including multi-story homes and courtyards, reflecting social class divisions. Rayen Citadel has withstood numerous natural disasters and invasions, thanks to its fortified walls and strategic hilltop location. It has hidden escape routes and a sophisticated defense system, representing ancient urban planning and craftsmanship. Today, the citadel is a popular tourist site with preserved structures and scenic views of the desert and nearby natural attractions like Rayen Waterfall and Mount Hezar. The best visiting seasons are spring and autumn, offering comfortable weather to explore this historical treasure.
Lefteris Stamatelatos

Lefteris Stamatelatos

hotel
Find your stay

The Coolest Hotels You Haven't Heard Of (Yet)

Find a cozy hotel nearby and make it a full experience.

hotel
Find your stay

Trending Stays Worth the Hype in Rayen

Find a cozy hotel nearby and make it a full experience.

Rayen Castle is an adobe castle 100 Kilometers south of Kerman province. It is situated on the skirts of the mountain Hezar. The medieval mudbrick city of Rayen is similar to Arg-e Bam which was destroyed in an earthquake in December 2003. Rayen displays all the architectural elements of a deserted citadel. It is extremely well preserved, despite numerous natural disasters that have destroyed similar structures nearby, and it is one of the most interesting sites in Iran. It is thought that it dates back to pre-islamic Sassanid-era. • You can easily find the route to the citadel in Rayen city. Navigation signs are everywhere! 👍🏻 • Before buying ticket, ask attendant to give you a gist of guidance, like where to begin and end, even though there are signs on your way. • Due to Coronavirus situation, timetable has changed for visitors. Therefore it is better to call and inform oneself in advance, in case of any further notices regarding closure.
Sina Hasanpour

Sina Hasanpour

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Reviews of Rayen Citadel

4.6
(218)
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5.0
5y

Very beautiful and amazing! Rhine Citadel in Kerman Province is the second brick building in the world (after Bam Citadel) and belongs to the Sassanid period. The Rhine Citadel covers an area of ​​about 4 hectares and has several watchtowers. These towers had long, sharp steps made of thatch, which were very difficult to climb. The Rhine Citadel is divided into public, residential and barracks. In the floor of the rooms above the entrance of the citadel, there were holes in the floor of the ground that, during the enemy's attack, hot oil was poured on the attacker from these holes. In the Government Castle, there was a section called the Relaxing Restaurant and a section called the Guest House, with a small courtyard and a clean garden in the center of each, with rooms around it. The Government Castle had a central section that led to the same point from all sections and corridors. Horses' stables, ammunition depots, etc. were located in the public area and were also a bazaar at the beginning of the citadel. The citadel of Arg was converted into a mosque after Islam entered the Zurkhaneh and its warehouse. The special natural and political location of the Rhine Citadel has made it one of the most strategic historical sites in Iran. Although the citadel is located on the edge of the desert, due to its construction on the slopes of the high peak of Hezar at an altitude of 2200 meters, it has a pleasant climate. Rhine Castle is a symbol of the ancient history of the Rhine region and is one of the many castles that have been built in this area in the past, but after all these years, it still remains. During the Sassanid period, it was called Rain, which was also the name of one of the great and brave commanders of Ardashir II. Some studies have shown that the current building of the castle was built about 500 years ago on the old ruins of the castle However, in the several centuries since the origins of the pre-Islamic citadel, we have witnessed some reconstructions by the then government. Historical books from the first century AH refer to the Rhine Citadel of Kerman as the only area in Kerman province that was not captured during the Arab invasion under the command of Ibn Massoud's detachments in 31 AH. During the reign of Nader Shah Afshar, Mizra Hossein Khan (Raini) was in charge of the citadel, and during the reign of Zandieh, Mirza Hossein Khan's son, Mirza Ali Khan, assumed this position. The Rhine citadel was one of the strongholds of Mirza Hussein Khan's command, and even after the fall of Zandieh, the castle was handed over to the descendants of this beloved commander. People loved this father and son so much that in many sources, this citadel is called Mirza Hossein Khani citadel. Until about 150 years ago, the Rhine Citadel was inhabited by about 5,000 people, but since then it has been gradually forgotten, and over time some of its buildings have collapsed and the roofs of a number of houses have collapsed. History has shown that the Rhine Army, under the command of Ganjali Khan Khan, the ruler of Kerman, used rifles made by Raini artisans to win the war against the Ottomans. There are still workshops at the entrance to the citadel that produce the famous Rhine Horned Knife with goat's horns or other domestic animals. Looking at the rich history of the Rhine Citadel, one can see the impenetrability and toughness of its high walls alongside the warfare of its people, and it is partly due to the fact that it has not been conquered...

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5.0
1y

The historical citadel of Rain is located in the city of Rain in Kerman province. The history of the Rhine Citadel dates back to the Sasanian period. It has sixteen observation towers. The height of the walls of this large clay and clay complex reaches more than ten meters. The Rhine Citadel is an organ related to the Samani period located in Kerman Province, Kerman County, southwest of the current city of Rain, and this work was registered as one of the national works of Iran on April 1, 1345 with the registration number 12867. This brick building is much smaller than Arg Bam; But it is similar to it and is located on top of a hill. The Rhine Citadel is one of the most famous adobe buildings in the world. This large historical monument with an area of ​​more than twenty two thousand square meters seems to be very small in front of the Bam citadel and seems like a small part of it; [citation needed] but it hosts domestic and foreign tourists every year. The Rhine Citadel is built in the Sassanid architectural style. The plan of the castle is almost square and decorated with several towers around. The castle is surrounded by a fence whose height is more than ten meters. The only entrance to the castle is from the eastern front, which leads to the inner courtyard with a large and magnificent door.

The elements of the castle are the bazaar, the governor's residence, noble houses, four warehouses, the fire temple and the common quarters. This castle has a public and noble part, and the architectural spaces needed by the people, such as the school and the quarantine building, can be seen in it. Its general material is raw clay and it is relatively resistant to the...

   Read more
avatar
4.0
17w

Rayen Citadel, located near Kerman, Iran, is an ancient adobe fortress from the Sassanid era, over a thousand years old. It is the world’s second-largest adobe citadel after Arg-e Bam, covering more than 22,000 square meters on the slopes of the Hezar Mountains at 2,200 meters. The fort has massive walls, 16 defensive towers, and a single entrance gate, showcasing ancient Persian military architecture.

Once a stronghold and trading hub on an important route between Kerman, Jiroft, and Bandar Abbas, Rayen was known for textile and weapon production. The citadel was inhabited until about 1868 and includes residential quarters, a marketplace, a mosque, a bathhouse, a school, and a governing complex.

The ruler's area features the finest buildings, including multi-story homes and courtyards, reflecting social class divisions. Rayen Citadel has withstood numerous natural disasters and invasions, thanks to its fortified walls and strategic hilltop location. It has hidden escape routes and a sophisticated defense system, representing ancient urban planning and craftsmanship.

Today, the citadel is a popular tourist site with preserved structures and scenic views of the desert and nearby natural attractions like Rayen Waterfall and Mount Hezar. The best visiting seasons are spring and autumn, offering comfortable weather to explore this...

   Read more
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