Complex of Izadkhast, Fortress complex in Fars Province, Iran
The Izadkhast Complex comprises a fortress, caravanserai, and Safavid-era bridge constructed on bedrock within the Izadkhast valley. The structures are built predominantly from adobe, the sun-dried clay brick material used for centuries in this region.
The complex originated as a fortified settlement during the Sassanid Empire and served communities along a major trade corridor through central Iran. Successive dynasties added new structures over time, eventually including the Safavid-era bridge.
The square structure within the complex demonstrates how religious practices transformed over centuries as an older sacred site became a place of prayer. This transformation reflects the spiritual shifts that shaped Persian society.
The site is located south of Isfahan and welcomes visitors to explore its layout. The place remains accessible to travelers interested in ancient adobe architecture and historical trade routes.
The fortress section rises five stories with wooden beams and mud brick, making it one of the tallest and most substantial earthen structures in existence. The narrow corridors connecting individual rooms create a maze-like interior that reveals how residents once lived.
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