The Rudkhan Castle or Hesami Castle is the name of a magnificent castle belongs to the Seljuk era, built over the forest heights of the city of Fouman in the village of Rudkhan and has an area of 2.6 hectares, 65 towers and barracks and a 1500 meters long wall. The Rudkhan Castle is 30 km from Fouman city. Some experts believe that this spectacular castle was built during the Sassanid era at the time of Arab invasion to Iran. In later periods the castle has been refurbished and repaired several times. The Rudkhan Castle was rebuilt during the Seljuk period and was one of the Ismaili fighting bases. The architecture of this spectacular castle is also very similar to Mongolian monuments. The castle of Rudkhan is made of completely natural materials. All components used in this fortress are taken from the surrounding environment.
A stunning castle in the heart of the dense forest that still stands with its magnificence has now become one of the most important tourist spots of the city of Fouman and Gilan province. This historical castle with its unique structure and architecture and special strategic and martial features was registered in the list of national and historical monuments of Iran.
For the first time in the year 1830 BC, the Polish scholar Aleksander Borejko Chodźko discovered the Rudkhan Castle while researching about Gilan historical texture and recorded the location of this fortress in his notes. This important historical fortress, which has long been the center of Gilan rulers, is one of the largest and most magnificent military strongholds of Iran.
Because this historic castle is built near the river, it is called Rudkhan. The Rudkhan Castle has also been referred to as “Hezarpele Castle”, “Hesami”, “Saksar”, “Sagsar” and “Sagsal”.
Rudkhan Castle consists of two parts: Arg or citadel (the place where the ruler and his harem lived) and the Ghourkhaneh (where the soldiers lived). The western Arg consists of an entrance gate, a fountain, a pond, an Ab- Anbar and a storage room, a bathhouse, a shahneshin, and a number of residential units surrounded by towers and barracks. Rudkhan Castle generally has two Args and sixteenGharavol-khaneh (a room where the guards of a military unit are stationed). The Arg or Shah-ghaleh is made of brick on two floors and the Gharavol-khaneh is a two-storey building with multiple windows. There are 40 watch towers that surround the castle, with octagonal rooms covered with vaulted dome. The watch tower surrounds the castle, with octagonal rooms covered with dome arches. Around the walls and towers there are sloping holes built to shoot and cast melt. It should be noted that throughout the history of the castle, the enemy has never penetrated this impenetrable castle.
The entrance or the gate of the castle is located on the north side. On either side of the gate are two huge massive towers built with an inscription on top of it, which is currently kept in the Rasht Museum.
From the village of Rudkhan to the castle itself, there are so many beautiful landscapes that attract the attention of every viewer. Transport by car is possible up to 1.5 km from the castle. If you want to see the castle, you have to go up 935 (almost 1000) stairs from the village to the castle itself, which is why the Rudkhan Castle is also called the “Hezarpele Castle” which means a thousand stairs.
Rudkhan Castle, Iran’s largest brick castle and one of the most spectacular, tourist and historical attractions, is located in the heart of nature and provides the pleasure of nature tours with visiting historical monuments. The path to this amazing castle is very beautiful.
