Defensive Architecture in Takht-e-Soleiman

One of the most important fire temples in the Sasanian era is constructed in a place that is called Takht-e-Soleiman, nowadays. This Fire-temple and its accessory buildings, such as the temple attributed to Anahita, the place of the eternal fire, the halls and spaces related to the royal family, are located inside the Castle including two separated levels. The interior enclosure, environing all the main buildings, is a rectangular fortification. The complex, including the interior enclosure and the sedimentary limestone rock that is created by the famous water spring of Takht-e-Soleiman, is surrounded by a roughly oval perimeter enclosure. This exterior enclosure has followed the topographic lines of the natural feature of the limestone rock and is more fortified than the interior enclosure. According to evidences, the exterior castle consists of 38 towers and two gates. There are no signs of architectural spaces inside the walls between the towers; nevertheless, there had been a pavement upon the enclosures. There are evidences of the Tower Rooms in summit of some of the towers. By searching among the debris and during the archaeological excavations, some stone pieces of the crenellations and the machicolations are discovered. The interior enclosure is rectangular and more feeble and includes a throughout passageway inside it. According to available information, there is only one gate in the middle of the northern side and the southern part, which belongs to the Sasanid period of Takht-e-Soleiman that includes a large fountain, is not fully known. This paper, introducing the architectural elements and the fortifications of Takht-e-Soleiman, discusses the defensive architecture of the complex in the Sasanian time range.