# Alamut Castle

- **Country:** Iran
- **Coordinates:** 36.444722, 50.586111
- **Notes:** The Alamut castle was built by the Justanid ruler Wahsudan b. Marzuban, a follower of Zaydi Shi'ism, around 865 AD. During a hunting trip, he witnessed a soaring eagle perch down high on a rock. Realizing the tactical advantage of this location, he chose the site for the construction of a fortress, which was called "Aluh āmū[kh]t" likely meaning "Eagle's Teaching" or "Nest of Punishment".) is 483, which is the date of the castle's capture by Hassan-i Sabbah (483 AH = 1090/91 AD).}} Alamut remained under Justanid control until the arrival of the Isma'ili chief ''da’i'' (missionary) Hasan-i Sabbah to the castle in 1090 AD, marking the start of the Alamut period in Nizari Isma'ili history.
- **Location Text:** Masoudabad, Qazvin

Alamut Castle is a historic mountain fortress located in the Alamut region of Qazvin Province, Iran, approximately 200 kilometers from Tehran. Originally constructed around 840 AD by the Justanid ruler Wahsūdān ibn Marzubān, the site was named after an eagle seen perching on its high rocks, translating to Eagle's Nest. The structure features traditional Iranian architectural styles designed to leverage its rugged, elevated terrain. Although built in the ninth century, it reached completion as a major defensive site by 865 AD and served as a critical stronghold within the historical region of Tabaristan.

The castle gained immense historical significance in 1090 when it was captured by Hassan-i Sabbah, becoming the headquarters of the Nizari Ismaili state for over 150 years. During this era, Alamut was renowned as an impregnable fortress that housed heavenly gardens, advanced laboratories, and a vast library where scholars enjoyed intellectual freedom. It successfully withstood sieges from the Seljuk and Khwarazmian empires until 1256, when it surrendered to invading Mongol forces who dismantled the structure and destroyed its legendary library. Despite a brief recapture by Ismaili forces in 1275, the castle fell permanently to Mongol rule in 1282 and subsequently lost its strategic importance, passing through various local hands.

Today, Alamut Castle exists only as ruins, standing as a testament to its turbulent past. While the Mongol conquest caused extensive damage, archaeological evidence suggests the site was not completely obliterated, though it never regained its former glory as a center of power or learning. The remaining structures offer a glimpse into medieval Iranian military engineering and the unique history of the Ismaili community. Currently, the site serves as a historical landmark for visitors interested in the region's rich cultural heritage and the dramatic events that shaped Persian history during the Middle Ages.

![Photo of Alamut Castle](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/8/8d/Iran_-_Qazvin_-_Alamout_Castle_View.jpg)

**Source:** https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alamut_Castle (Wikipedia, CC BY-SA)