Lashtan Castle

Lashtan Castle is one of the historical monuments and tourist attractions of Bandar Lengeh County in Hormozgan Province. It stands on top of Shahin Kuh, next to the village of Barchah. The castle lies about 6 kilometres northeast of Bandar Lengeh and occupies a high, natural position that in the past made it possible to keep watch over the surrounding area and the region's routes. The complex spreads over an area of about 15 hectares and is built on a natural rock outcrop, which in places has stone walls and steep natural slopes. Lashtan Castle was registered on Iran's National Heritage List in 1385 (2006) under number 16316. Today the remains of its ramparts, towers, walls and living quarters give a picture of an extensive historic settlement in southern Iran.

The importance of Lashtan Castle is not limited to the remains of a military fortress, and the available evidence shows that the complex was used in several different historical periods. There are differing views about exactly when it was built. However, archaeological surveys point to remains from the late Sasanian period and the early Islamic period, as well as renewed use of the complex in later Islamic periods, including the Safavid era, and historical sources also give the date 904 AH (lunar Hijri) for it. More than 37 residential buildings and more than 93 large and small cisterns have been identified within the castle grounds, and several burial grounds, food storage rooms and spaces cut into the rock can also be seen. Rock-cut tombs on the neighbouring heights, a defensive wall with round towers, the castle's northern entrance and carvings in various areas are among the features that make a visit to Lashtan appealing to those interested in history, archaeology and military architecture. There are also stories of underground passages between Lashtan Castle and the Portuguese Castle in Bandar Kong, but no visible trace of these tunnels remains today.

To reach Lashtan Castle, travel from Bandar Lengeh towards the village of Barchah, then continue towards the foot of Shahin Kuh and the northern part of the hill. The castle's natural rocky structure makes the eastern, southern and western sides harder to reach, so the climb from the north is the main route to the top of the castle, and a difficult one. Visiting the higher sections therefore requires suitable footwear, physical fitness and care around slippery rocks and natural drops. Because of the intense heat and high humidity of the Bandar Lengeh climate, autumn and winter, as well as the cooler days of early spring, are better times to visit. During your visit, avoid climbing on unstable parts of the structures, entering the cisterns and rock-cut tombs, damaging the historical remains or moving objects found on the site, and do not leave any litter behind, so that this historical and natural site is preserved for future visitors.