Rayen Citadel, Adobe citadel in Kerman County, Iran
Rayen Citadel is an adobe fortress in Kerman County built on a rectangular plan measuring approximately 170 meters long and 142 meters wide. The structure contains watchtowers, a marketplace area, separate residential sections for different social groups, a gymnasium, and religious buildings.
The fortress originated during the Sassanid period and was never militarily conquered throughout its history. It served as a refuge for residents across many centuries, particularly during periods of regional conflict.
The citadel displays architectural features from multiple Persian periods visible in its rooms and walls. Visitors can observe how different eras left their mark through varied building styles across the residential quarters and places of worship.
The citadel sits approximately 100 kilometers southwest of Kerman city along the Kerman-Jiroft road and is easily accessible by vehicle. The site allows open exploration of courtyards and towers during daylight hours without restrictions.
Strategic openings positioned above passageways allowed defenders to pour heated liquid onto attackers below during assaults. This feature demonstrates the sophisticated defensive engineering employed when the fortress was actively defended.
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