Fouman
Fouman is the capital city of Fouman County in Gilan Province. This city is located in the Gilan plain surrounded by gardens and rice fields. Due to the many sculptures it contains, the city is also known as the town of sculptures.
Located 25 km southwest of Fouman, Rudkhan Castle is a medieval castle of brick and stone. It is a military complex which had been constructed during the Sassanid era (224-651), and later rebuilt during the Seljuk era by the Nizari Ismailis.
Its architects have benefited from natural mountainous features in the construction of the fort. The Rudkhan River originates from the surrounding heights and flows from south to north. After crossing a mountainous winding path with dense forests, the first thing that one notices about the castle is its big entrance gate.
Rudkhan Castle sits at the two peaks of a mountain at elevations of 715 and 670 metres and contains strong fortifications and battlements at a length of 1,550 metres with an area of 2.6 hectares (6.4 acres). Its 42 towers still stand intact.
Masouleh
Standing in Gilan province, along the Silk Route, Masouleh is one of Iran’s most picturesque locations. Lush greenery fills the steep mountainside village and the houses soaring up high into billowing mist, layered and built as high as possible due to the tough living conditions on the lower ground.
Masuleh structure is unique. The buildings have been built into the mountain and are interconnected. Both front yards and roofs serve as pedestrian areas similar to streets. No motor vehicles are allowed to enter Masuleh, simply because there is no room for them. The small streets and many stairs just wouldn’t make it possible for vehicles to enter. The rare architecture of Masuleh is popularly known as “The yard of the building above is the roof of the building below”. Houses, traditional wooden buildings, are mostly two stories (1st floor and ‘ground’ floor) made of adobe, rods and bole.
Country name | Iran |
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