TEHRAN – The head of East Azarbaijan’s Ministry of Cultural Heritage, Tourism and Handicrafts has announced the start of work to secure, restore and construct an access road to the ancient Pashtab Castle in Holland Province, northwestern Iran.
According to IRIB news agency, Ahmad Hamzezadeh said that the work began with the efforts of the East Azarbaijan Cultural Heritage Department, with the aim of promoting tourist visits and increasing the safety of the high and difficult to access parts of the castle.
He pointed out the historical importance of this precious building, adding that Pashtab Castle is one of the prominent monuments of northeastern East Azarbaijan, built in the heart of a natural cliff and on a rocky plateau in Holland province, demonstrating the intelligence and engineering ability of the peoples of the past.
He said that based on historical evidence, the origins of this ancient fortress date back to the Sasanian era or early Islam, and it has been used as a military and strategic shelter in different eras. The castle’s unique architecture includes rock rooms and corridors carved into the heart of the mountain, he added.
Hamzezadeh stressed that with the completion of restoration and reinforcement works and the development of tourism infrastructure, the historic Pashtab Castle will soon be ready to welcome domestic and international tourists.
The historical building of Pashtab Castle is located on top of a rocky mountain, and its ruins include stairs and rooms carved into the rock.
KD