Shush Castle In Iran is a trapezoidal building with a medieval design, which was by order of the French archaeologist “Jacques Dumorgan” and using the bricks of “Apadana Palace” and a number of bricks engraved with cuneiform “Chaghazanbil” as an archaeological base. This 120-year-old historical building has unique features that we will mention below. If you also interested in learning more about the city of Shush Castle, stay with us on the Hey Persia blog.
Where is Shush Castle In Iran
After hearing the name of Susa Castle, which is also as “Acropolis Damorgan Castle”, you may have guessed where this historical monument is located in our beautiful country of Iran? Shush Castle is located in Khuzestan province and it takes about 45 minutes to visit it. This historical monument is located near “Karkheh Wildlife Sanctuary and Protected Area” and inside the city on the Acropolis hill. The distance from the castle to the city center is about 2 kilometers and it takes 4 minutes.
Get to know Shush Castle In Iran better!
Susa Castle is also as Jacques Dumorgan’s Acropolis Castle, “Museum of Bricks” and “Castle of the French”. This castle was in the Qajar period for the purpose of building a dormitory and resting place for the archaeological team. Jacques Dumorgan and his team had been exploring in the area of Susa for 15 years and needed a place to rest and store the ancient items they discovered during their exploration. Considering this issue, in the first year of his arrival in this region, the Parliament of the Majlis granted him 200,000 francs.
His first concern was to build a large house on the northern part of the hill called “Citadel”, which later became known as “Acropolis”. Due to this problem, he built Susa Castle as the most luxurious archaeological base in the Middle East by using the bricks obtained from the Apadana Palace of Susa and some bricks engraved with Chaghazanbil cuneiform. The use of historical monuments of Apadana Palace and Chaghazanbil is by many historians. But some people also believe that Jacques Dumorgan has preserved the ancient clay over time. This brick building was in the hands of the French until the revolution and after that it was as an archeological base of Susa.
Architecture of Susa Castle
If you look at Susa Castle from above, you will see its trapezoidal plan. This trapezoidal building has a small base towards the north, a corridor with many rooms are around it, which are up next to each other. Acropolis Castle, like European castles, has 2 courtyards on 2 different levels. The courtyard of the first level is higher than the second courtyard. This military fort has three entrances, one of which blocked. The French castle has two towers, one of which is square and is located in the northeast.
This square-shaped tower is as the pigeon house. The other tower is circular in shape and is located in the northwest of the castle. The Acropolis is similar to the Bastille prison in France because of its many steps. This military building is also as the Brick Museum due to the presence of various types of bricks with different dimensions and sizes and with enamel designs.
Farangi hat
Kolah Farangi is a glass chamber in the highest part of Susa Castle and its use has not determined until today. The trapezoidal castle of Susa became a museum and storage place for historical objects since 1371. The documents of the castle were in the possession of the French government until 1373, which was finally over to Iran in 1373 after numerous follow-ups and various correspondences. During these years, this brick building with European-Iranian architecture restored and renovated many times.
But since these restorations were not fundamental, they caused more damage to the castle. In such a way that in 1375, a part of the interior of the castle painted, and this inappropriate action; caused it to distance itself from its originality and historicity! The French castle does not have a specific foundation and therefore is very vulnerable and cannot bear a lot of weight. Due to this issue, visitors can only visit the courtyard of the complex and visiting its other floors is prohibited.
Historical monuments preserved in Shush Castle
Since Shush Castle was a place for French archaeologists and their tools to settle, there are beautiful relics of the work they did in this complex from 1895 to 1978. Among the most important historical works of Shush Castle are water distillation machine, hand press and drill machine, Land Rover car, manual jack for lifting heavy objects, four-wheeled cart, manual lift, etc.
Shush Castle In Iran
Shush Castle is one of the historical monuments and places of interest in Shush city, which is located near “Daniyal Nabi Mausoleum”. The best time to visit it according to its geographical location is autumn, winter and early spring. If you have also traveled to this area and have more information about it, you can write them in the comments and suggestions section and share them with us. Thank you in advance for your cooperation.
