Zahhak Castle

Zahhak Castle, known locally as "Azhdahak" or "Narin Qaleh", is located 20 kilometres southeast of Hashtroud County in East Azerbaijan Province. This ancient castle stands in the heart of the Sarmalu Mountains and overlooks a precipice on three sides. This strategic position made the castle a strong fortress, resistant to enemy attacks. Zahhak Castle is registered on Iran's National Heritage List and is regarded as one of the province's most important historical and natural attractions.

Archaeologists estimate the castle to be more than 3,000 years old and attribute it to the Mannaean and Median periods. Throughout history, the castle was used by various peoples, such as the Parthians and Sassanids, and it was also restored during the Islamic periods. The castle's structure includes water reservoirs, a council hall, stone cisterns, a mill, a bathhouse and rooms, about half of which were dug into the ground while the rest were carved into the mountain as hollowed-out chambers. One of the castle's most distinctive structures is the Sassanid-era chahartaq (four-arched structure), built with large red bricks and a symbol of the art and architecture of that period.

To reach Zahhak Castle, head southeast from Hashtroud County until you reach the village of Arablu. This historical attraction is located near the Khorasanak railway station, north of the villages of Danqaran and Khajeh Mahmud. A visit to the castle usually takes between 1 and 2 hours. The best time to visit Zahhak Castle is spring and autumn, since summers in this region are hot and winters are cold. When visiting, it is essential to follow the principles of responsible nature tourism and to protect the cultural heritage: do not touch or write on the walls, and leave no litter behind, so that you can have a safe and rewarding visit to this castle.