Kuh-e-Ghal'eh, Ferdows

Kuh-e-Ghal'eh is a mountain fortress in South Khorasan Province built atop a high peak with ancient stone walls and multiple defensive sections. Underground tunnels connect different parts of the structure, creating a network that spans the mountainside.

The fortress served as a military base for the Nizari Ismailis until 1256, when Mongol commanders Kitbuqa and Köke Ilgei captured and destroyed it during their campaigns. This conquest marked the end of its role as an active defensive structure.

This fortress reveals how medieval builders adapted structures to steep mountain slopes using local stone and defensive principles. The construction shows practical thinking about security and control over the surrounding region.

Reaching the fortress requires sturdy footwear and plenty of water, as the terrain is rough and exposed to changing weather. Plan to spend several hours for the climb and bring sun protection for the open slopes.

An earthquake in 1968 revealed hidden tunnels connecting the fortress to neighboring Ghal'eh Kuh and the ancient city of Tun below. These underground passages suggest a much larger network of linked strongholds in the region.