Apadana Castle is one of the most magnificent historical monuments in Iran and a source of pride for the ancient city of Susa. Built during the Achaemenid period by the order of Darius the Great, this majestic structure showcases the elegance of ancient Iranian architecture, with stone walls and columns adorned with intricate motifs. While many of its artifacts are preserved in museums outside of Iran, the ruins of Apadana in Susa still stand as a powerful testament to Persian grandeur.
Dating back to 515–521 BCE, Apadana Castle was built in the heart of the ancient city of Susa. The Elamite civilization, which once thrived in Susa, is among the oldest known in the world, adding even greater historical significance to the site.
The castle served as the winter palace of the Achaemenid kings. It included various functional units such as a public hall, harem, gatehouse, reception palace, and three central courtyards. In ancient Iran, “Apadana” referred to a large pillared hall—this complex is one of the grandest examples of such structures after Persepolis.
With the Achaemenid Empire stretching from the Indus to the Nile, Susa became a strategic capital at the heart of the empire. Darius the Great, recognizing the legacy of Elamite rulers, commissioned a magnificent palace to affirm both continuity and power.
Apadana Castle in Susa features six courtyards—three of which are large and aligned along an east-west axis. A broad corridor connects the central structure to the northern section. In the easternmost courtyard, circular holes once used to hoist flags are still visible. Historians believe this area may have served as a military assembly ground or a ceremonial plaza for palace guards.
One of the highlights is a set of four-meter-long lion statues on the north side of the courtyard, remarkably well-preserved over time. The smaller courtyards to the north provided ventilation and light to the adjacent rooms and chambers, their floors covered with ocher-red bricks.
The grand public hall—a square chamber covering about 3,500 square meters—is perhaps the most awe-inspiring part of the castle. It features 36 towering columns, each around 20 meters tall and crowned with twin bull capitals. Each portico consists of two rows of six columns, symbolizing the royal power and harmony of ancient Persia.
Apadana Castle is open to visitors from 9:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. during the first half of the year, and from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. during the second half.
For more detailed historical insights about Apadana Castle in Susa, you can visit the Encyclopaedia Iranica’s entry on Apadana Palace.
