Falak-ol-aflak
Falak-ol-Aflak or Shapur Khast Castle is a castle situated on the top of a large hill with the same name within the city of Khorramabad, the regional capital of Lorestan province, Iran. This gigantic structure was built during the Sassanid era .
The Khorramabad River runs past the eastern and south-western side of the Falak-ol-Aflak hill providing the fortress some natural protection on those sides. Today, the western and northern sides of the hill are bordered by the residential districts of Khorramabad.
History
Falak-ol-Aflak castle is amongst the most important structures built during the Sassanid era. It has been known by a number of names since it was built over 1800 years ago. Recorded names have referred to it as Shapur-Khast or Sabr-Khast fortress, Dezbaz, Khoramabad castle, and ultimately the Falak-ol-Aflak Castle.
Under the Pahlavi dynasty, after being used as a prison until 1968, it was transformed into a museum complex.
Architectural layout
The foundations of the actual castle measure approximately 300 by 400 metres (980 ft × 1,310 ft). The height of the entire structure, including the hill, reaches to 40 meters above the surrounding area.
The castle itself covers an area of 5,300 square metres (57,000 sq ft). The perimeter extends for 2,860 metres (9,380 ft) in perimeter and its tallest wall is 22.5 metres high. This space is divided into four large halls, and their associated rooms and corridors. The rooms all surround two courtyards with the following measurements: the first courtyard measures 31 by 22.5 metres (102 ft × 74 ft) and the second 29 by 21 metres (95 ft × 69 ft). When originally built the castle used to have 12 towers, but only eight remain standing today.
The building's entrance is situated towards the north, within the body of the northwestern tower.
The water well of the fortress lies in the area behind the first courtyard. Reaching a depth of 40 meters, the majority of the well's shaft is carved into the rock in order to reach the source of the Golestan spring. The well remains usable to this day.
The materials used in the construction of the fortress are mud-bricks, mud-fired bricks, stone, wood, and mortar.
Dehumidifier
Falak ol-Aflak Castle appears to have been built with a dehumidifier system.
Previously, the experts believed these dehumidifier canals with a height of more than 1 meter covering all the area beneath the castle were hide-outs for the residents. But in reality, due to being aware of the changing climate in the region and the underground waters, the Sassanid engineers have equipped the castle with a dehumidifier.
Falak ol-Aflak castle is made with different materials like stone and wood that are vulnerable to humidity. That is why the castle was built on the highest point of the city of Khoram-abad, so that the wind could penetrate the building and dry its foundations.
Falak-Ol-Aflak Castle Museum
Falak Ol Aflak Castle Museum is the only anthropological museum in Lorestan province that started its activity during the Pahlavi period and contains valuable historical works such as manuscripts. Visiting this museum gives visitors significant information about the native life of Lorestan people from the past to the present day. The Planetarium Museum was closed between 1357 and 1367 and also between 1385 and 1387. In the first period, due to the developments after the Islamic revolution, and in the second period, due to the lack of standard facilities for the preservation of ancient works, it was not possible to visit this museum.
Falak Ol-Aflak Museum has different sections, each of which is a place to display outstanding works from far away times until now. A part of this museum has been named as Falak-Ol-Aflak Archeology Museum, which started its activity in 1374. In this part, 12 showcases of Iran's ancient works are displayed, and in each showcase, nearly 50 historical works can be seen. The most important objects on display in the Falak-Ol-Flak Archaeological Museum are the works obtained from the "Kolmakreh Cave" from the Achaemenid period.
Falak-ol-aflak Museum of Anthropology is one of the most productive anthropological museums in Iran. This museum was equipped in 2001 and replicas of the customs of Lorestan people were displayed in it. By visiting the Falak-Ol-Aflak Museum of Anthropology, you can get comprehensive information about the traditional beliefs and beliefs of the people of Lorestan, the writing tools of Lorestan in the past, the traditional clothing of the people of this region, agricultural tools and local blacksmithing, and the local music of Lorestan.
In different parts of the Falak-Ol-Aflak Museum of Anthropology, replicas of the daily life of Lorestan people can be seen in different halls, which attract the attention of visitors. Among these replicas are scenes of wedding ceremonies, mourning, making local handicrafts, hunting scenes, baking bread and the activities of Lorestan women. In the photo gallery section of this museum, a series of historical and natural pictures of Lorestan are displayed. Some of these photos belong to the Qajar period and depict the life of Lorestan nomads and Ler clans between 1218 and 1219. The original version of these photos is kept in Golestan Palace, Tehran.
One of the halls of the Falak-Ol-Aflak Museum is the place where the statues of the masters of traditional trades of Lorestan are displayed. Visiting this section shows the skill of Lorestan masters in making handicrafts. In the halls of indigenous and nomadic weavings, replicas of Lorestan women weaving carpets, jajims, and black curtains are displayed very elegantly. But one of the most beautiful parts of this museum is its music hall, which shows the close connection between music and the people of this region. In this section, all kinds of traditional instruments of Lorestan, such as Serena, Karna, Dozele, Bur, and various percussion instruments of this region, such as Dahl, and stringed instruments such as Tanbur and Kamancheh are exposed to the public. You can also see an abstract of the culture and history of Lorestan in the screening of a short film in the exhibition hall of the Falak-Ol-Aflak museum.
common questions
Where is Falak-Ol-Aflak Castle?
Flak-Ol-Aflak Castle is located in Lorestan province and the center of Khorram Abad city. This castle is located on Imam Khomeini street known as 12 towers.
Which period is the date of Flak-Ol-Aflak Castle?
The time of construction of Falak-Ol-Aflak Castle is related to the period of Sassanid rule in ancient Iran, but in later periods, some parts were reconstructed and many parts were added to this castle.
What are the secrets of Falak-Ol-Aflak Castle?
The architectural form of Flak-Ol-Aflak Castle, the presence of a deep well that still has water and the way of digging this well in the past, attract the attention of many archaeologists and architects today.
In which part of the castle is the Flak-Ol-Aflak Museum located?
Falak-Ol-Aflak museum is divided into two sections, archeology and anthropology, and is located inside the Falak-Ol-Aflak castle.
