Arg e Bam

Arg e Bam, the world's largest adobe building, is one of the most important and most valuable historical landmarks in Iran. More than 2,500 years ago, the predecessors have built this great historic citadel on a large rock near the Bam city in Kerman province.

Arg e Bam, the world's largest adobe building, is one of the most important and most valuable historical landmarks in Iran. More than 2,500 years ago, the predecessors have built this great historic citadel on a large rock near the Bam city in Kerman province. This great structure is listed by UNESCO as part of the World Heritage Site "Bam and its Cultural Landscape". The complex of Bam citadel, including the old city and the castle, is about 20 hectares (200,000 square meters), and the area of the castle and the castle is close to 6 hectares. The whole building is a large fortress located in the heart of the citadel, but due to the appearance of the citadel, which is also the highest part of the complex, the entire fortress is called the Arg e Bam. This Historical citadel, with an approximate area of 200,000 square meters consists of two sections: The government and rural sectors. The government sector is located in the inner wall, includes the military fortress, the four-seater mansion, the barracks, the 40-meter water well, and the stables with a capacity of 200 horses. The rural area surrounded the government sector and includes the main entrance of the city, the main route connecting the entrance to the castle and the bazaar, about 400 houses and public buildings, such as school and sports venues.

The residents of the Arg e Bam, about a hundred and fifty years ago, left the citadel for the last time and settled among the gardens and palm trees outside the city.

Among the houses, there are 3 different types of buildings that are noteworthy:
 

• Smaller homes with 2-3 rooms for poor families.
   
• Larger houses with 3-4 rooms for the middle class community, some of them have a porch.
   
• The luxurious houses with more rooms that are located in different parts of the citadel, with a large courtyard and a nearby stable for animals. The number of these houses in the citadel is very low. This includes the Sistani house and the Jewish home.

Earthquake & Restoration 

Unfortunately, after a powerful earthquake that occurred in 2003 in the city of Bam, more than 80 percent of Arg e Bam has been destroyed. Many countries, including Japan, Italy, and France, were among the countries that collaborated with Iran since the restoration operation of this impressive citadel had begun. Due to the earthquake, the monument was among the monuments in danger. But after the restoration operation completed in 2012, fortunately it was removed from the list.

• What is the best time to go?

The best time to visit the Arg e Bam is on winter, but there is no limitless to visit there and passengers can get there at any seasons.

• Getting there?

The Arg e Bam is situated on the north east of Bam in Kerman province. You can get there from Kerman. The distance between Kerman and Arg e Bam, is about 193 kilometers and takes approximately 2 hours.