# Rashkan Castle

- **Country:** Iran
- **Coordinates:** 35.605000, 51.450278
- **Location Text:** Ray, Iran

Rashkan Castle, known locally as Dež Rashkan, is a historic military installation located in Tehran Province in northern Iran. Situated near the significant landmarks of Cheshmeh Ali, the Shah-Abdol-Azim shrine, and the Fath Ali Shah inscription, the structure dates back to the era of Parthian rule over the region. The castle's name is historically linked to Arsaces I, the founding king of the Parthian Empire, highlighting its deep roots in ancient Iranian heritage. Constructed using a durable mixture of plaster made from lime and ashes or sand combined with stones, the fortress originally featured walls standing between five and ten meters in height.

The site holds considerable historical significance as a remnant of Parthian architecture and military engineering. Artifacts and war items unearthed during explorations of the castle have been preserved and are currently housed in the National Museum of Iran, offering tangible evidence of its past utility and the conflicts associated with the region. As a designated national heritage site, Rashkan Castle serves as an important archaeological link to the ancient past of Rey and the broader Tehran province. Although specific details regarding its exact year of construction or eventual decommissioning are sparse in available records, its classification as a ruined castle indicates that it no longer serves an active defensive function. Today, it stands as a testament to the strategic importance of the area during antiquity, attracting interest from historians and those studying the evolution of Iranian fortifications.

![Photo of Rashkan Castle](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/d/d7/Fort_Rashkan_-_Southern_Wall.JPG)

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