Bam Citadel, Ancient adobe citadel in Kerman Province, Iran.
Bam Citadel is a fortified adobe settlement with walls extending 1,815 meters and featuring watchtowers, residential zones, and multiple entrance gates. The layout divides into military, living, and trading areas that reveal how daily life functioned within this ancient fortress.
The settlement began around 500 BCE and expanded into a major Silk Road trading hub between the seventh and eleventh centuries. This growth established it as one of the region's most important centers during that period.
The adobe construction reflects Persian building traditions developed to handle the region's harsh heat, and you can see how thick walls and narrow passages kept inhabitants cool. The layout shows how people organized their daily lives within these protective structures.
The site is best explored during cooler hours since adobe absorbs and radiates heat intensely, and pathways are unpaved with uneven terrain. Bring sturdy footwear and plenty of water to navigate the grounds comfortably.
After the devastating 2003 earthquake, the entire structure was rebuilt using the same traditional adobe methods that workers employed thousands of years ago. This reconstruction proved that ancient building techniques could withstand modern challenges and return the site to its former appearance.
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