Introduction to Alamut Castle

Alamut, meaning "Eagle's Nest," is the location of one of Iran's historic fortresses, with much of it now in ruins but still holding remnants of its grandeur. The fortress is located in the Alamut region of Qazvin, northeast of Gazor Khan village, approximately 105 kilometers from Qazvin.

Location and Structure

The castle is situated atop a rock at an altitude of 2,163 meters above sea level, with the rock itself rising 200 meters above the surrounding lands. Covering an area of 20,000 square meters, the castle's layout, as described by Ata-Malik Juvayni, resembles a reclining camel. The steep slopes and dangerous cliffs around the rock make it a naturally fortified site.

The mountain range begins at Narmak-Gerdan and extends westward. The reddish-grey rocks surrounding the castle stretch from the northeast to the southwest.

Strategic Importance

Alamut, naturally resembling a towering rock with steep slopes, had a large summit capable of hosting buildings. This made Alamut Castle, built on this mountain, a strategic stronghold in a mountainous area, difficult to access. The castle overlooked a short route between Qazvin and Mazandaran, controlling the road between Iraq-e Ajam and Mazandaran. The residents of this region were known to be warriors with Shia inclinations.

Historical Significance

Alamut Castle served as the headquarters of Hassan-i Sabbah, the founder of the Ismailis of Alamut. The Ismailis captured the castle with ease in the late autumn of 1090 AD. After 1092 AD, during the Seljuk civil wars, Hassan-i Sabbah made the castle nearly inaccessible by strengthening its fortifications and establishing extensive food storage facilities. It is said that he dug storage rooms into the mountain, where a significant amount of food was kept without spoiling. He also created an irrigation system for the surrounding fields, making the castle self-sufficient and capable of withstanding long sieges.

Conflicts and Resistance

Shortly after fortifying the castle, the Seljuk army, led by Amir Yuran-Tash, whose territories included Alamut, attacked the castle. This marked the beginning of a long struggle between the Ismailis of Iran and the Seljuks.