Meimoon Ghal'eh

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Meimoon Ghaleh, one of several ancient castle ruins in or near Qazvin, Iran.

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Meimoon Ghaleh, plan of lower level.

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Meimoon Ghaleh, plan of main floor.

Meimoon Ghal'eh Castle, also known as Mehman Ghal'eh Castle is one of several castle ruins scattered throughout the Qazvin area, in Iran.

Description

It sits in the middle of the city of Qazvin, hence heavily eroded, and is almost 5000 square meters in footage. The remains indicate the castle to have had a large dome in its central section. All ceilings no longer exist. The fortification has a subterranean network of 3 east-west tunnels under the structure connected by a north-south tunnel. The two levels were connected via a helical staircase. The main gates must have been on the northern side, it is believed. Eight towers made of brick surrounded the castle. All evidence indicates this structure to have been a military fortress of some sorts.

The castle's date of construction remains unknown, but it is currently thought to have belonged to the Abbaside era, possible constructed by the orders of Musa Al-hadi, the Caliph, in 784 AD. Some experts however believe it to belong to the Buyid dynasty based on the artifacts unearthed at the site.

Nasīr al-Dīn al-Tūsī also spent some time here while residing with the Ismailis in the 13th century.

See also

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Meimoon Ghaleh, East-West section.

• List of Iranian castles
• Iranian architecture
• History of Iran