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Arg of Karim Khan - Shiraz

Defensive Walls of the Castle

Arg of Karim Khan is also known as Castle of Karim Khan, Citadel of Karim Khan and Arg-e Karim Khani. This castle was the royal court of Karim Khan Zand in Shiraz but also used as the living quarters. 

This castle is well protected with 12 m wall which is 3 meters thick at the base, high walls of this castle are protected by four 14m high circular towers on each corner. This tower on the southeastern side is slightly leaning, it is due to the underground cistern that served as the Arg’s bathhouse. One thing which is very obvious in this structure is that these towers are decorated with great details. 


The rectangular courtyard inside measures 93.6 m by 72.8 m and it contains two pools and a garden. There are orange trees planted in the courtyard which compare with any other courtyard of a historical building in the Middle East, North Africa or even Spain (al-Andalus).

Outer walls of the Arg of Karim Khan
Outer walls of the Arg of Karim Khan
A small garden runs beside the walls of the arg in Shiraz
A guy sleeping in the winter sunshine beside the castle walls
A guy sleeping in the winter sunshine beside the castle walls
High walls of this castle have towers in each corner
High walls of this castle have towers in each corner
This tower on the southeastern side is slightly leaning
Looking closely at one of the towers
Looking closely at one of the towers
The wall is 12 meters high and 3 meters thick at the base
The wall is 12 meters high and 3 meters thick at the base
A sign close to the entry gate of the castle
A sign close to the entry gate of the castle
Area above the entrance of the castle
Area above the entrance of the castle
Floor area which goes around the central courtyard is laid with the stones
Floor area which goes around the central courtyard is laid with the stones
A model of the Arg of Karim Khan
A water channel runs in the middle of the courtyard
A water channel runs in the middle of the courtyard
The rectangular courtyard has two pools and a garden
Inner walls of the Arg of Karim Khan
Inner walls of the Arg of Karim Khan
In the past, this building was also used as a prison
In the past, this building was also used as a prison

Hammam and History of the Arg of Karim Khan

The underground cistern was the bathhouse of the castle, the design and decorations of this bathhouse is typical Persian in style. Water was channeled into this bathhouse and stored stored in there, during winter months water was heated. 

The construction of this castle was carried out between 1766-67. Karim Khan used the best architects and artists of the time to build this beautiful castle. During the Qajar period it was used as the governor’s seat. After the fall of the Qajar Dynasty it was converted into a prison. In 1971, Iran’s Cultural Heritage Organisation took control to care for this building.

Bathhouse of the castle of Karim Khan Zand
Bathhouse of the castle of Karim Khan Zand
These sky lights allow natural light into the bathhouse
These sky lights allow natural light into the bathhouse
Interior of the bathhouse
Interior of the bathhouse
This small corridor connects other parts of the royal bathhouse
This small corridor connects other parts of the royal bathhouse
A dried pool inside the hammam (bathhouse)
Interior of the bathhouse inside the Arg of Karim Khan
Interior of the bathhouse inside the Arg of Karim Khan
Inside the bathhouse of the castle
Inside the bathhouse of the castle
In this pool was heated for winter months
In this pool was heated for winter months
Bust of Karim Khan Zand - he ruled Iran from 1751 to 1779
Bust of Karim Khan Zand - he ruled Iran from 1751 to 1779
This steps were high to climb - in order to lower the height small slabs were placed
This steps were high to climb - in order to lower the height small slabs were placed
Souvenir shop of this castle which is also the workshop for the artists
Souvenir shop of this castle which is also the workshop for the artists
In the past, lower parts of the courtyard were adorned with large carved stone panels
In the past, lower parts of the courtyard were adorned with large carved stone panels
This is the western side of the castle where a large room is flanked by smaller rooms
This is the western side of the castle where a large room is flanked by smaller rooms
Stained glass is used to enhance the beauty of these rooms
Stained glass is used to enhance the beauty of these rooms
Ceiling of the Arg of Karim Khan
Ceiling of the Arg of Karim Khan


In one of the rooms of the castle, wax figures depict that Karim Khan is receiving some European representative. An old photograph of Shiraz inside the castle was showing that this area was known as Meidan Topkhane (The Square of the Guns). In the evening, Shirazis (people of Shiraz) gather beside the Arg of Karim Khan.

Karim Khan is receiving some European representative
Karim Khan is receiving some European representative
A side view of the reception in the main room
A side view of the reception in the main room
Interior of the reception room
Interior of the reception room
Stained glass is used to decorate the room
Stained glass is used to decorate the room
A closer look at the stained glass windows
A closer look at the stained glass windows
Reception hall of the Arg of Karim Khan in Shiraz
Reception hall of the Arg of Karim Khan in Shiraz
Inner walls of the castle
Inner walls of the castle
Few paintings on display in an open area of the castle
Few paintings on display in an open area of the castle
This photo shows the famous city of Persepolis which was the capital of the Persian Empire
This photo shows the famous city of Persepolis which was the capital of the Persian Empire
Exterior of the main room on the western side
In the past, this area was known as Meidan Topkhane
In the past, this area was known as Meidan Topkhane
Here army is shown with pitched tents outside Shiraz during the Qajar period
People gather beside the Arg of Karim Khan in the evening
People gather beside the Arg of Karim Khan in the evening