Chehel Dokhtaran Tower

The Chehel Dokhtaran Tower (Tower of the Forty Girls) is one of the most prominent historical monuments surviving from the Seljuk era in Damghan, dating back to the 5th century AH (lunar Hijri). This valuable monument was built in 446 AH by order of Abu Shuja Esfahani and is registered as number 83 on Iran's National Heritage List. Its location within the compound of the Imamzadeh Mohammad and Jafar shrines adds a historical and architectural dimension to a site that is otherwise used for religious purposes. Although some accounts attribute the name "Chehel Dokhtaran" to pre-Islamic beliefs, the building's main function was most probably that of a family mausoleum.

This brick tower is cylindrical and about 15 metres high, with an internal diameter of about 5.5 metres and an external diameter of nearly 7.8 metres. Its exterior consists of two main sections: a lower part with plain brickwork and an upper part decorated with a Kufic inscription and ornamental brick bands. The conical dome at the top gives the tower a distinctive look and resembles other Seljuk-era tomb towers, such as the Toghrol Tower. One of the building's unique features is its brickwork, which is so precise and delicate that it seems to have been built without mortar. Inside the tower is a simple plaster tomb whose occupant has not been identified, and it is believed that the building was used as a family mausoleum.

To reach the Chehel Dokhtaran Tower, after entering the city of Damghan from the Semnan direction, you can turn onto Shahid Mofatteh Street, pass Shohada Square and continue along Imam Khomeini Boulevard, where you will see the tower on your left. Because the region's climate is semi-desert, the best time to visit this attraction is during the mild seasons, especially spring and early autumn. When visiting this historical monument, it is essential to follow the principles of responsible tourism, including keeping the site clean, avoiding any damage to the building and respecting the religious atmosphere around it, so that this valuable heritage is preserved for future generations.