List of Kurdish castles

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A Kurdish castle is a castle which was built by Kurds or built under a Kurdish state (this includes castles in which the builders were most likely Kurds)

Official Name

Native Name

LocationPictureState/TribeBuilderConstruction dateNotes
Hoşap Castle

Kela Xoşebê

Van Province, Turkey Xwesav.jpg Mahmudi Sarı Süleyman Bey 1649The castle was built upon the foundations of a medieval Armenian fortress, itself preceded by an Urartian stronghold.
Harran Castle Şanlıurfa Province, Turkey Harran (40443234001).jpg Ayyubid (reconstruction) Al-Adil I (reconstruction)c. 1200 (reconstruction)Most of the present structure dates to the Ayyubid Sultanate (c. 1200) but the castle is substantially older. Its exact founding date is unknown but it appears to have been built at some point during the time Harran was under Byzantine rule (4th–7th centuries) and was originally a palace.
Al-Rahba Deir-ez Zor, Syria Qalat Rahbeh 1.jpg Ayyubid Shirukh (original castle)

Shirukh II (reconstruction)

12th/13th century (original)

1207 (reconstruction)

The original site, which was known as "Rahbat Malik ibn Tawk" was destroyed in an earthquake in 1157. A few years later, the current fortress was built by the Ayyubid lord Shirkuh (Uncle of Saladin). HIs descendants held al-Rahba as a hereditary fief granted by Saladin until 1264. One of them, Shirkuh II, oversaw a third major reconstruction in 1207.
Xanzad Castle Erbil, Kurdistan Region Banaman Castle.jpg Soran Mir Xanzad 16th centuryThe castle was built by Mir Xanzad the ruler of the Soran Emirate. She ordered it built to serve her as place of residence and as defense of Erbil, her capital.
Srochik Castle Barzinjah, Kurdistan Region qaeLy sroechkh.jpg UnknownUnknownUnkownThe castle was used as a prison by the Baban dynasty.
Sherwana Castle Kalar, Kurdistan Region Sherwana Castle.jpg Jaff Mohamed Pasha Jaff 1866The British destroyed many Palaces and Fortresses built by Kurds during the Mahmud Barzanji revolts. Sherwana Castle was the exception, since the Brits had good relations with the Jaff.
Dimdim Castle West Azerbaijan Province, Iran Bradost (reconstruction) Emîr Xan Lepzêrîn (reconstruction)1609 (reconstruction)According to Kurdish oral tradition the fortress was built in the pre-Islamic era. It was the location of the Battle of Dimdim.
Aghli Beg Castle Baneh County, IranUnknownUnknownUnknown
Barvish Kani Castle Baneh County, IranUnknownUnknownUnknown
Qujileh Castle Baneh County, IranUnknownUnknownUnknown
Shargeh Castle Baneh County, IranUnknownUnknownUnknown
Surin Castle Baneh County, IranUnknownUnknownUnknown
Akh Kand Bala Castle Bijar County, IranUnknownUnknown Middle ages
Akh Kand Pain Castle Bijar County, IranUnknownUnknown Middle ages
Khan Baghi Castle Bijar County, IranUnknownUnknown Middle ages
Qala Qureh Castle Bijar County, IranUnknownUnknownUnknown
Ardalan Castle Tuyserkan County, Iran Ghale oshtoran.jpg Ardalan UnknownSometime between the 14th century and 1868
Bajul Castle Aligudarz County, Iran Zand Unknown18th century
Hoseynabad Castle Taft County, Iran brj Hsyn abd shfy` pwr.jpg Zand Unknown18th century
Karim Khan Citadel Shiraz, Iran Arg.karimkhan.jpg Zand Karim Khan Zand 1766-1767It was built as part of a complex during the Zand dynasty. It is named after Karim Khan, and served as his living quarters. In the past, the citadel was sometimes used as a prison. Today, it is a museum operated by Iran's Cultural Heritage Organization.
Doran Castle Kerman County, Iran Zand Unknown18th century

See also