Arg-e Bam

In the heart of the city of Bam, you will see a gigantic citadel. Its foundation probably dates from 2300 BC. It was for a long time a very prosperous city thanks to trade first under the Sassanids, 224-642, and later under the Safavid dynasty, 1502-1722. After the collapse of this empire, the city of Bam suffers like the rest of the country from chronic insecurity and political instability. In 1920, it was already completely abandoned. However, renovation work on the citadel, begun in the 1950s, was completed in the 1980s.

Larger than the neighboring fortified city Arg-é Rayen, the citadel of Bam occupies the entire extent of the city. With a unique and authentic architectural style, it arouses the admiration and wonder of all. From the analysis of its present form, you will see that the architects had planned the entire final form of the fortress from the earliest stages of design. At each development phase of the building, the following parts could be added continuously.

All the buildings are made of mud bricks. The citadel of Bam crystallized around it for a long time the largest urban ensemble in the world. You will discover the district of rulers, barracks, a mill, four-season houses, a water well dug in the rocky ground about forty meters deep. You will also observe the small houses of 2 to 3 rooms belonging to modest families. Medium-wealth residents can afford homes with 3 to 4 rooms and sometimes a veranda. Prosperous families have a large yard and an adjoining room for animals. Admire this stratification of society!

The citadel offers all those who come within its walls perfect security. Know that when the city was in decline, these thousands of inhabitants closed the door. No human or animal could enter it. Residents could continue to live in self-sufficiency for a long time, since they had water, gardens, livestock and domestic animals inside. In addition, when the fortress city was besieged, the inhabitants remained folded up in the enclosure while the soldiers worked for the defense.

Apart from the watchtowers and the decorated parts of the walls from which the urban panorama of the city extends in the distance, the badgers are remarkable. They are special structures that emerge from the volume of buildings. They are created to capture and conduct the wind inside buildings. Therefore, you will not make your excursion walking through buildings in intense heat.

city of Bam

 

view of citadel