List of Kurdish castles


A Kurdish castle is a castle which was built by Kurds or built under a Kurdish state
Official name
Native Name		LocationPictureState/TribeBuilderConstruction dateNotes
Hoşap Castle
Kela Xoşebê		Van Province, TurkeyMahmudiSarı Süleyman Bey1649The castle was built upon the foundations of a medieval Armenian fortress, itself preceded by an Urartian stronghold.
Harran CastleŞanlıurfa Province, TurkeyAyyubid Al-Adil I c. 1200 Most of the present structure dates to the Ayyubid Sultanate 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 and was originally a palace.
Al-RahbaDeir-ez Zor, SyriaAyyubidShirukh
Shirukh II 		12th/13th century
1207 		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. 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 CastleErbil, Kurdistan RegionSoranMir Xanzad16th 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 CastleBarzinjah, Kurdistan RegionUnknownUnknownUnknownThe castle was used as a prison by the Baban dynasty.
Sherwana CastleKalar, Kurdistan RegionJaffMohamed Pasha Jaff1866The 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 CastleWest Azerbaijan Province, IranBradost Emîr Xan Lepzêrîn 1609 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 CastleBaneh County, IranUnknownUnknownUnknown
Barvish Kani CastleBaneh County, IranUnknownUnknownUnknown
Qujileh CastleBaneh County, IranUnknownUnknownUnknown
Shargeh CastleBaneh County, IranUnknownUnknownUnknown
Surin CastleBaneh County, IranUnknownUnknownUnknown
Akh Kand Bala CastleBijar County, IranUnknownUnknownMiddle Ages
Akh Kand Pain CastleBijar County, IranUnknownUnknownMiddle Ages
Khan Baghi CastleBijar County, IranUnknownUnknownMiddle Ages
Qala Qureh CastleBijar County, IranUnknownUnknownUnknown
Ardalan CastleTuyserkan County, IranArdalanUnknownSometime between the 14th century and 1868
Sarmaj CastleKermanshah Province, IranHasanwayhidsOne of the Hasanwayhid EmirsBefore 651, modern structure from the Middle AgesOriginally build under the Sasanians, modern structure by the Hasanwayhids.
Bajul CastleAligudarz County, IranZandUnknown18th century
Karim Khan CitadelShiraz, IranZandKarim Khan Zand1766-1767It 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.
Hoseynabad CastleTaft County, IranZandUnknown18th century
Doran CastleKerman County, IranZandUnknown18th century