SAEDNEWS: Furg Citadel, also known as Mirza Rafi’ Khan Citadel, is located in a land with cold-weather north to Furg Village, five kilometers from Darmian County and one hundred and ten kilometers west of Birjand, in South Khorasan Province.
Perched 1,840 meters above the ground, overlooking the Darmian Valley and the foothills of Momenabad Mountain that descend to Asadieh Plain, Furg Citadel is a historic marvel that embodies centuries of Iran’s strategic and architectural brilliance.
The surrounding Furg Village spreads across 107 kilometers southeast of Birjand, embracing the citadel at the heart of the mountains. Ranked as the second most important stronghold of the Ismaili military after Alamut, Furg is among Iran’s ten grand citadels and has been proudly registered as a national heritage site.
Historical evidence attributes the construction of Furg Citadel to Mirza Bagha Khan, the ruler of Darmian and Furg, during the reign of Nader Shah Afshar. Some findings suggest the citadel may predate the Afshar dynasty, with Mirza Bagha’s son, Mirza Rafi’ Khan, completing the original structure.
A notable inscription on the Sarooj mortar of the citadel’s Ab Anbar dates to 1181 SH, marking a restoration by Master Abu Saeed Jaziki in the early Qajar period. During this phase, battlements and eight circular towers were repaired and added, reflecting a history of multiple restorations and expansions, with the last major work under the Afshar dynasty.
The entrance gate sits at the lowest eastern point of the citadel, leading to guard towers, animal feed storage, servant chambers, stables, and the water reservoir (Ab Anbar). A brick tower in the northwest, adorned with Chalipa motifs, is famously known as the Dovecote Tower. Nearby, elevated terrain houses weapon storage, barracks, and a mosque.
At the westernmost and highest point lies Kohandej, the royal residence of the citadel. This fortified section features two guarding towers, eight circular towers, and is separated from the rest of the structure by a thick wall. Restored during the Afshar era, Kohandej retains superior condition compared to other sections. Inside, it contains vestibules, corridors, storages, stables, and additional guard towers. Originally two stories tall, the second floor has been destroyed. A hidden tunnel served both as a secret passage during sieges and as a water-gathering route.
Furg Citadel is more than a fortress—it’s a window into Iran’s past, offering a vivid glimpse of military strategy, architectural ingenuity, and life in a bygone era. From its towering battlements to the hidden Kohandej tunnels, every corner tells a story of resilience, power, and the enduring legacy of the Ismaili strongholds in Iranian history.
