Susa Castle
Susa Castle is a popular attraction in Khuzestan province, located on Acropolis Hill in Shush and Taleghani Street. Also known as the French Castle, it is a great destination for those intrigued by both Iranian and European architecture and history. The castle offers a stunning view of the city and visitors can spend hours exploring the ancient-looking fortress, which is a little over 100 years old.
History
Archaeological work first began in the historical site of Susa in 1851, thanks to Kennett Loftus. About thirty years later, French couple Marcel-Auguste and Jean Dieulafoy visited Iran and wrote about the ancient city of Susa in their travelogue. Upon returning to France, they convinced the director of the Louvre Museum to fund an archaeological expedition to Susa. With the help of French doctor Naser al-Din Shah and Dr. Tholozan, they obtained permission from the Iranian court to explore the ancient hill of Susa.
Castle architecture
Most castles were built in high locations for protection and surveillance purposes. Similarly, the Susa Castle was built to store found objects and to serve as the French delegation’s headquarters in the city of Susa. It was constructed at the highest point of the city in a stair-like shape, and it’s quite huge and trapezoidal. The castle’s architecture follows the European Middle Ages building style, and some historians believe it resembles the Bastille Castle in Paris, France. The castle is made entirely of clay and covered with bricks to make it more durable. The architecture is a blend of Iranian and European styles, with horseshoe arches and arched doorways influenced by Iranian architecture. Eastern European paintings are among the castle’s decorations, and two architects from Dezful designed the building.
Artifacts and antiques from Susa Castle
Susa Castle houses various relics and tools that were used by French archaeologists during their excavation works. The tools include a water distillation machine, which was most likely used to develop and print analog photographs, a hand press and drill for miscellaneous uses, a Land Rover car machine, a hand jack for lifting heavy objects at the ancient site of Susa, a coal blower to increase the heat of coal, a four-wheeled cart, a hand lift, and more. These tools and relics are believed to date back to around 1895 AD and remained in the castle until after the Iranian Revolution.
Visiting hours
This castle is open to visitors from 8 am to 8 pm in the first half of the year and from 8 am to 5 pm in the second half.
