Karim Khan Citadel

Karim Khan Citadel is a military residential garden which located in the downtown Shiraz, southern Iran. It is also known as Arg-e Karim Khan.

Karim Khan Citadel is a symbol of Zand dynasty architecture, which was the living quarters of the Royal family. Specific architectural style outside, Different Islamic architecture elements inside, geometrical site plan, and the night view of this historical area, make there one of the most touristic locations in Shiraz. Moreover, Karim Khan Citadel was used as a prison during the Pahlavi era. Currently, it is a museum operated by the Cultural Heritage Organization of Shiraz.

•  Karim Khan Citadel Architecture 

The equivalent of a citadel in Islamic architecture is named Arg. Karim Khan Citadel, with an area of 4000 square meters, has tall walls with four defensive brick towers in the corners. Each side of the Karim Khan Citadel is 125 meters long with 15 meters high.

This historical citadel has a military residential style which covered with a brick facade. In the inner part of the citadel, we face a different atmosphere; the space with porches (Iwan), painted rooms, a Fountain, and gardens.

The residential part of Karim Khan Citadel, located on the northern, southern, and western sides, contains a porch (Iwan) and six rooms with Islamic architectural elements in around. The rooms are connected from the inside and trimmed with marvelous Islamic ornamentation such as Muqarnas. Moreover, the entrance to the citadel is on the eastern side, which includes the private bath of Karim Khan. 

• Shah Neshin
   

  Shah-Neshin is the element of Islamic architecture that has three or five doors with a different height from the other rooms. Due to the Sun's radiation, Shah-Neshin is situated in the building.
   
  • These types of rooms in the Karim Khan Citadel are as follows:
    • Northern Shah Neshin is suitable for winter when it gets cold. Also, two columns with Islamic ornamentation were created in front of this room.
    • Southern Shah Neshin is the mirror of the northern one and is used for four seasons.
    • Western Shah Neshin is the main three-windowed room, which is used in summer and is located in front of the rectangular pond. This room has wooden columns with spiral ornamentation. 

• Courtyard

  The structure of the Karim Khan Citadel courtyard is similar to the Chahar Bagh in Islamic architecture; it is full of Bitter orange trees. Also, the Karim Khan Citadel has a rectangular pond that stretches along the main axis of the garden.

• The Bath of Karim Khan Citadel
   

This historical bath is located on the eastern side of Karim Khan Citadel. It was used by the Loyal Family.

In the inner part of the Bath, we face a different architectural style; the space with a vault, an Octagonal pond in the middle, and a corridor that connects this area to the main space for taking a bath.

It has an area as a locker room with four Platforms where people spend time together in an intimate atmosphere. Also, some traditional act was done at this place, such as Hejamat (Cupping therapy), Tattoos, and massaging.

• Visiting information
   

  It is better to know some information about the visiting time and the payment for it. 
   
  • Visiting the Karim Khan Citadel for foreign visitors costs 2,000,000 IRR.
  • During spring and summer, you can visit the Karim Khan Citadel from 8:00 AM until 8:30 PM.
  • During Autumn and Winter, you can visit the Karim Khan Citadel from 8:00 AM until 7:30 PM.

• What is the best time to go?
   

Late April and early May are the best times to visit the Karim Khan Citadel. At this time, you can smell the fragrance of Orange blossom and enjoy the beauty of Spring.

• Getting there?

  Karim Khan Citadel is located in the northeast of Shohada Square, Shiraz, Iran. You can get there via public transportation, such as Bus and Subway. 
   
  • Bus: Try to pick a bus that passes through Shohada Square.
  • Subway: Zandiye Station is near Shohada Square. You can get there in 10 minutes by walking.