Rudhan Fortress

The fortress is located on the territory of 6.2 hectares, its length is 1.5 kilometers. 65 towers were located on the walls of the fortress, at the moment only 42 are preserved. Rudhan Fortress is located 25 kilometers from the city of Maklavan, 45 kilometers from the city of Masule and 20 kilometers from the city of Shaft. If we consider the actual distance along the main road, then the distance to Maclawan is 35 kilometers, and to Masule 40 kilometers. The height of the fortress varies from 665 to 715 meters above sea level ^[4] .

The fortress is located at an altitude between 665 and 715 meters above sea level, rivers with the same name flow near the fortress.

Most experts believe that the Rudhan fortress was built during the Sassanid era during the Arab invasion of Iran. During the Seljukids, the fortress was rebuilt and was used mainly as an Ismaili base (along with the Alamut fortress in Qazvin province ) ^[3] .

On the tablet that hung in front of the entrance to the fortress (currently the tablet is in the jewelery museum in Rasht , Gilan), it is said that it was rebuilt from 1513 to 1515 for the Sultan of Hessam ad-Din. Amir Hessam ad-Din Dabaj Fumani (Mozaffar al-Soltan) was the ruler of the Biyahpas region, the only stronghold of Gilan, which could resist the pressure of the Safavids. In the end, the Safavids won, capturing Biyahpas; Hessam ad-Din was arrested, sent to Tabriz and after some time executed ^[5] .

The fortress is built of stone and brick. The tree was deliberately not used in the construction of this fortress due to the climatic characteristics of the region: Gilan’s climate is very humid, and a wooden fortress could not exist for such a long time.

The fortress consists of a main part and an arsenal. The main part is located on the western side of the fortress; it is a two-story brick building. The arsenal is located in the eastern part of the fortress, it consists of defensive structures, several barracks and a small prison. The arsenal also has an emergency exit from the fortress. In the main part, the ruler lived with his family, there is a reservoir, a bathhouse and barns ^[6] . The road to the fortress goes constantly upwards and takes about 30 minutes, so it is difficult for some travelers.

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  Rudhan Fortress Park

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  The main road to the Rudhan Fortress

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  A complete overview of the Rudhan fortress

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  View of the fortress Rudhan