Susa Castle, also known as the French Castle, is a prominent historical attraction located on Acropolis Hill along Taleghani Street in Shush, Khuzestan Province, Iran. The castle, a little over 100 years old, offers stunning panoramic views of the ancient city and is a fascinating site for those interested in both Iranian and European architecture and history.
Archaeological interest in Susa began in 1851 with the pioneering work of Kennett Loftus. Around three decades later, the French couple Marcel-Auguste and Jean Dieulafoy traveled to Iran and documented the ancient city of Susa in their travel writings. Upon their return to France, they persuaded the Louvre Museum’s director to fund an archaeological expedition to Susa.
With support from Naser al-Din Shah and Dr. Tholozan, they received permission from the Iranian court to excavate the ancient hill of Susa. The French delegation established their headquarters on this hill, constructing what became known as the Susa Castle.
Built primarily for protection, storage of discovered artifacts, and as a French delegation office, the castle occupies the highest point of the city. Its architecture combines European medieval styles with Iranian elements.
The castle is a large trapezoidal structure built in a stair-step design. Made mainly of clay and covered with bricks for durability, its style bears a resemblance to the Bastille Castle in Paris, according to some historians. The design features horseshoe arches and arched doorways, influenced by traditional Iranian architecture. Inside, Eastern European paintings decorate the walls, and two architects from Dezful were involved in the castle’s design.
Susa Castle preserves various relics and tools used by French archaeologists during their excavation campaigns. Among these are:
A water distillation machine, likely used for developing analog photographs
Hand presses and drills
A Land Rover vehicle
A hand jack for lifting heavy items
A coal blower to intensify the coal heat
A four-wheeled cart and a hand lift
Most of these tools date back to around 1895 AD and remained in use up until after the Iranian Revolution.
Susa Castle is open to visitors from 8:00 AM to 8:00 PM during the first half of the year, and from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM during the second half.
For a comprehensive and scholarly overview of Susa and its historical significance, visit the article on Susa in Encyclopaedia Iranica.
