Rudkhan Castle

Rudkhan Castle (Persian: قلعه رودخان‎, Gilaki: رودخان دژ‎); also Roodkhan Castle, is a brick and stone medieval fortress in Iran that was built by the Gilaks to defend against the Arab invaders during the Arab/Islamic invasion of Sassanian Iran. With the fall of the Sassanid Empire, this area became a defensive position against the Arabs in the then-newly established Tabarestan.

Rudkhan Castle
قلعه رودخان
Near Fuman in Iran
Rudkhan Castle
Rudkhan Castle
Coordinates	37°03′52″N 49°14′24″E
Type	Fortress
Length	1,550 metres
Site history
Built	Sasanian era
Materials	Brick and stone

Located 25 km southwest of Fuman city north of Iran in Gilan province, it is a military complex which was constructed during the Sasanian era (224-651), and later rebuilt in 1096 by the Nizari Isma'ilis for use by the Assassins. The castle is built on two tips of a mount, with an area of 2.6 hectares (6.4 acres). Its architects made use of natural mountainous features in the construction of the fort.

The Rudkhan Castle River originates in the surrounding heights and flows from south to north.

After crossing a mountainous winding route 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. The castle's 42 towers still stand intact.