Qal'eh Dokhtar, Ghale Dokhtar, Dokhtar Castle or Dezh Dokhtar () is a castle made by Ardashir I, in present-day Fars, Iran, in 209 AD. It is located on a mountain slope near the Firouzabad-Kavar road. It is important in the field of Sasanian archaeology is one of the eight designated UNESCO World Heritage Sites of the Sassanid Archaeological Landscape of Fars Region.
Name
The name of the castle implies it was dedicated to the Goddess Anahita, to whom the term "Maiden" refers.
Location
The castle is built on a high bluff which overlooks the river and roadway running south from Fars.
Specification
It was presumably roofed by an arched vault. Beyond this there are steps to a third level and a large rectangular room with ¼ circle squinches at each corner supporting a domed roof. This was buttressed by very thick walls on all sides, presumably to ensure its stability, and the cupola could be reached by a spiral staircase on the south side.
The 1,800-year-old castle has lost some four meters of its original height over the last century and experts warn if urgent measures are not taken to enforce it, the castle may soon collapse.
Gallery
<gallery>
File:Qaleh Dokhtar 1 by Hadi Karimi.jpg|Far view from the castle
File:Dokhtar castle, Firuzabad- by Hadi Karimi.jpg|Far view from the castle
File:Dokhtar Palace2.jpg|Palace
File:Dokhtar Palace1.jpg|Palace
File:Bishabour - Daughter castle - panoramio.jpg|View of the castle
File:Ghaledokhtar Firuzabad Fars.jpg|View of the castle
File:269 قلعه دختر فیروزاباد فارس.jpg|View of the castle
File:Ghale Dokhtar Bishapour 1.jpg|View of the castle
File:Fars, Ghale dokhtar (فارس، قلعه دختر) - panoramio (1).jpg|Main chamber
File:Qaledochtar.jpg|Main chamber
File:Fars, Ghale dokhtar (فارس، قلعه دختر) - panoramio (2).jpg|Main chamber
</gallery>
See also
- List of Iranian castles
- Iranian architecture
- Sassanid
- Persian domes