There are many brick monuments in our country known for their long life and interesting design that undoubtfully, the most famous one is Arg e Bam (Bam Citadel). Although some of them are lesser-known among tourists. Situated in Tehran province and near Varamin, Iraj Castle is one of them.
Iraj Castle, known also as Gabri Castle, is one of the largest brick monuments in the world that had military use. It is situated in Pishva County, Varamin. There are fifty-three kilometers between Rah Ahan square in Tehran to Iraj Castle. To reach the castle, you should just enter the Avini highway. After Moallem Square, there is Tehran Highway to Varamin. Be sure to exit the highway from the southern ring road exit of Qarqaq. After Vali Asr square, you arrive Alireza Fotouhi Sho’ar St. Iraj castle is located in this street.
Experts estimate the age of the Iraj castle, which locals call the Gabri castle, about one thousand and five hundred years before Christ, however, the exact date of its construction is unclear. Some experts say that the castle was rebuilt and used during the Sassanid period, others have concluded that this monument was constructed during the Sassanid period and was used for military purposes until the end of the Sassanid era.
It seems that the majority agree that Iraj Castle is older than Sasanians. Some archaeologists have identified the building as the Varna Fortress, which is mentioned in the book of Avesta. The name of Fereidun's son was Iraj, so some attribute this castle to Fereidun's son.
The Gabrie Fortress was built at the highest point of the Varamin Plain so that it could have a good view of the surroundings. Experts have stated its dimensions at about one thousand and four hundred forty meters wide and one thousand and two hundred eighty meters long. The castle is made of clay and mud and its bricks are about sixty centimeters wide and twenty-five centimeters long.
The Iraj Fortress had four gates, which the main gate is still there. Between the towers of guards, there were built corridors for moving and transporting war equipment. There appear to be eight hundred similar rooms in the castle barracks. There are two towers on the wall of the castle that had probably the role of security.
The area around the castle is now full of farmland. There is no special protection and care of Iraj Castle, and there is a dirt road to reach the castle. There are a few tourists who are aware of this magnificent clay castle or bother to visit it. Iraj Castle has been registered as one of the Iranian national heritages in 1382 SH.
