Shiraz is a famous tourist destination for travelers to Iran. Many monuments in this city are dating back to the short but important reign of Karim Khan Zand. Among the monuments in Shiraz, the Vakil complex including Karim Khan Citadel is what Shiraz is most famous for.
Monument Name | Karim Khan Citadel, Arg Karimkhani, ارگ کریم خان |
Contact No. | +98(0)7132131368 |
Monument Category | Citadel |
Website | N/A |
City | Shiraz |
Coordinates | 29.6174°N 52.5446°E |
Karim Khan citadel located in the center of Shiraz is one of the magnificent buildings of the Zand era in the 18th century. When Karim Khan selected Shiraz as the capital of his kingdom, he expanded the city and established numerous buildings. He decided to build a large square in the north of old Shiraz with different monuments on each side of it. This old citadel at the north, Vakil Bazaar and several caravanserais at the east, Hammam and Mosque at the south, and a large garden in the southwest and west. He used the best architects to build this citadel as his residential and governmental center. This citadel had a long history of being a palace on a time and a prison at another time. Stay with the rest of the article to tell you more.
Karim Khan citadel is a 4,000 m2 rectangular building entirely made of brick and marble. It consists of 12-meter-high walls and four large 14-meter round towers in every corner. The walls are 3-meter thick and impenetrable. The towers were designed to be suitable shelters to hide and watch over during the wars. Each tower has three floors with two rooms connected by a spiral staircase.
Shiraz City Tour and Shiraz Walking Tour are designed for a fruitful visit to Karim Khan palace. You will be accompanied by a local guide. Arg-e Karim Khan was registered as a national monument on June 5, 1351.
The street behind the Citadel is a famous center for the best ice cream and Shirazi Paloodeh where you can taste wonderful desserts.
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Karim Khan Citadel at its golden ages, about 250 years ago, was considered the residential and governmental palace of the Zand dynasty. After the conquest of Shiraz by Qajar dynasty founder, Agha Mohammad Khan, he ordered some buildings to be demolished due to his enmity with Karim Khan. Following this decision, a number of Zand buildings, including the city wall, were demolished. Fortunately, the citadel building survived to be used as a governmental building.
During the next era that is Pahlavi, the citadel turned into a prison. To fit this function, the halls were divided into two floors, each transformed into four to six cells. The Qajar paintings were covered, and the rooms were covered with a layer of soot to be suitable for heating up by the fire.
After all its ups and downs, the citadel found its own place as a heritage to be taken care of. In the late Pahlavi era, the Department of Culture and Arts of the time started protection and restoration.
The plan of Karim Khan Citadel is a 13,000 m2 rectangular and consists of two parts: military and residential. The security of this castle was provided by 4 towers and a moat dug around it. These circular towers are about 14 meters high and can be seen at four corners of the castle. The walls are 3 meters thick and go 12 meters high.
There are various sections inside the citadel like the porches, each with six rooms decorated by the muqarnas and beautiful miniatures paintings of gold and other valuable materials. In front of each porch, there is a rectangular pool, fountains, and small flower gardens.
In the southeastern part of the citadel, a bathhouse is still standing. The most interesting part of this bathroom is the four integrated stone columns with eye-catching decorations.
At the entrance gate of the citadel, by the use of the famous Shirazi seven-color tiles, a scene of a famous Persian story from Shahnameh called “Rustam verses the white Div” is depicted.
There are different statues and photography elements with the view of the citadel and the towers locating in front of it that offer you a memorable photo in Shiraz. A panoramic photo inside the citadel can capture the tower, flower gardens, orange trees, rooms and porches.
At night a beautiful lighting system makes the architectural masterpiece of the Zand era more beautiful for shooting memorable photos.
Being located in the center of Shiraz, Karim Khan citadel is surrounded by some other monuments:
Pars Museum: Located 450 meters from the citadel.
Vakil Bazaar: 650 meters
Vakil Mosque: 700 meters
Vakil Bath: 550 meters
The best way is to take part in one of Shiraz City Tour and Shiraz Walking Tour of Leaveabode.
Karim Khan Citadel is located in the central part of Shiraz, at the beginning of Karim Khan Zand Street and at the corner of Shahrdari Square.
Seasons | Hours |
Spring and summer | from 8:30 to 21:00 |
Autumn and winter | from 7:30 to 20:30 |
The required time from this monument is 1 to 2 hours.
The dates may be changeable so get in touch with us for recent information. [email protected]
Karim Khan Citadel was built during the reign of Karim Khan Zand in the 18th century.
The tower on the east side of Karim Khan Citadel, where the citadel bath is located, has a deviation of 30 degrees. The reason for this deviation is the constant humidity of this part of the building in the past, which has damaged the foundation and materials used in the tower over time.
This magnificent building was built by Karim Khan Zand as his military and residential palace and was inspired by Naghsh-e Jahan Square in Isfahan.
Shiraz, the cultural capital of Iran, is synonymous with the city of poets, education, nightingales, and wine. It is a must-see that you would not miss during your trip to Iran. It is very close to Persepolis in the Fars …
The atmosphere around the citadel is beautiful and there are lovely benches for people to sit and watch. It was inside an old prison. There are only 2 main columns here and the rest have been moved to Tehran. The old bathroom is good but nothing special. In general, inside the complex is not good for photography, but outside the building with the presence of people is very attractive. If you are alone, many people will come to you to talk.