Sa'ad News:Dezful is a historic and ancient city in southern Iran, located in Khuzestan Province. With its archaeological sites and unique architecture, it is a special attraction for tourists and history researchers. This city, with a history spanning thousands of years, is situated along the Dez River and holds great strategic significance.
According to the Family Magazine Service of Sa'ad News, the city of Dezful is located at the foothills of the Zagros Mountains, with its history tracing back to the Sassanid era. Shadab Castle is one of the valuable historical legacies of Iran, located in the beautiful city of Dezful, in the Shiyoon district. Shadab Castle is considered the largest natural and residential fortress in Iran.
As mentioned earlier, Shadab Castle is one of the valuable historical landmarks of Iran. Most Iranian historians attribute its construction to the Sassanid era, during which it was also known as Anushbord Fortress and Fortress of Oblivion. However, some evidence suggests that the castle existed even during the Elamite period, where it was used for various purposes. Due to this, some researchers believe its origins date back to the Elamite civilization.
The name Shadab Castle comes from a local chief named Shadab Abdol. Up until the late 1970s and even early 1980s, people still lived in this castle.
Shiyoon is a district in Dezful, where Shadab Castle is located. In recent years, hunting in this area has been banned to protect rare animal species. This protected area spans about 5,000 hectares and is situated to the east of Shiyoon Lake, making it one of Dezful’s natural attractions.
North: Pa Qaleh and Islam Abad village
South: Dez River and Kool Khorasan Valley
West: Pamenar village and Dez Dam Lake
East: Bazaargeh village and Bishe Bazan
The main entrance to Shadab Castle is through the northern gate, near Islam Abad village. Upon entering, visitors will first encounter an ancient cemetery, where gravestones are adorned with carvings of animals and objects, symbolizing details about the deceased.
At the beginning of the castle path, there is a wooden bridge and a gate built alongside a cliff, making the route challenging and uneven. Due to the difficult terrain, it is recommended to cross the bridge one person at a time to avoid accidents.
Unlike most man-made fortresses in Iran, Shadab Castle naturally formed along the mountain slopes. The castle spans approximately 10 kilometers in length and 4 kilometers in width.
One of its unique architectural features is that its walls were formed naturally due to landslides and erosion caused by floods from the Dez River.
Inside the castle, visitors can find:
Chamber-like spaces carved into the mountain
Defensive walls made of clay, adobe, and stone
Springs and water basins, which served as water storage for its past inhabitants
Dezful, located in southwestern Iran, experiences extremely hot summers, with some of the hottest recorded temperatures in Iran.
To visit Shadab Castle, the best time is early spring, when the weather is cool and pleasant. The Nowruz holidays (Persian New Year) provide an ideal opportunity to explore the historic landmarks of Dezful. Additionally, visiting during fall and winter is also recommended for those who prefer milder temperatures.
