List of Ismaili castles

Location of several of the Ismaili castles in the regions of Alamut and Rudbar.

List of the castles of the Nizari Ismaili state in Persia (Iran) and Syria.

The state had around 200 fortresses overall, most of which were spur castles. Most of the Persian Ismaili castles were in Alborz mountains, in the regions of Daylaman (particularly, in Alamut and Rudbar; north of modern-day Qazvin) and Quhistan (south of Khurasan), as well as in Qumis. Most of the Syrian Ismaili castles were in Jabal Bahra' (Syrian Coastal Mountain Range).

Persia

Ismaili castles in Persia (Iran)
Name Persian name / Alternative spellings Location Condition Image Coordinates Notes
Alamut Castle الموت Alamut region Ruined, partially restored 36°26′40.63″N 50°35′9.58″E / 36.4446194°N 50.5859944°E / 36.4446194; 50.5859944 The main castle of the Nizari Ismaili state.
Lambsar Castle لمبسر, لمسر, Lamasar, Lambasar, Lanbasar Rudbar, Rudbar region Ruined Captured, refortified, and governed by Kiya Buzurg-Ummid. Probably the largest Ismaili castle.
Rudkhan Castle قلعه رودخان Daylam Mainly intact 37°03′52″N 49°14′21″E / 37.064357°N 49.239276°E / 37.064357; 49.239276
Maymun Diz میمون دژ, Maymundez, Meymundezh Alamut region
Samiran Castle قلعه سمیران Rudbar, Rudbar region
Nevizar Shah Castle قلعه نویسر شاه, Nevisar Shah Alamut region
Gerdkuh گردکوه, دژ گنبدان, Girdkuh Qumis region, near Damghan 36°09′43″N 54°09′25″E / 36.16194°N 54.15694°E / 36.16194; 54.15694 The last Ismaili castle that was surrendered to Mongols.
Saru castles قلعه سارو, Soru Qumis region, near Semnan Mainly intact Two nearby related castles, Greater Saru and Lesser Saru, is recently attributed to Ismailis.
Mo'menabad Castle فلعه مؤمن‌آباد Quhistan region, modern-day Darmian County
Qa'in Castle قلعه قائن Quhistan region, modern-day Qaen
Furg Castle قلعه فورگ, Furk Castle Quhistan region, modern-day Darmian County Mainly intact
Kuh-e-Ghal'eh کوه قلعه Quhistan region, near Ferdows The biggest fortress in south Khurasan, per Tarikh-i Jahangushay. Burned by the invading Mongols.
Khalanjan Castle قلعه خالنجان, خولنجان, شاهدژ, Khulanjan, Shah-Dezh Nehbandan County
Arrajan Castle ارجان Behbahan, Khuzestan

Syria

Ismaili castles in Syria
Name Arabic name / Alternative spellings Location Condition Image Coordinates Notes
Masyaf Castle قلعة مصياف Hama Partially restored 35°03′58″N 36°20′36″E / 35.06611°N 36.34333°E / 35.06611; 36.34333 (Masyaf Castle) The most famous Syrian Ismaili castle.
Abu Qubays قلعة أبو قبيس Hama Partially ruined 35°14′5.92″N 36°19′50.83″E / 35.2349778°N 36.3307861°E / 35.2349778; 36.3307861 Purchased from Iftikhar al-Dawla, the Fatimid governor of Jerusalem.
Qalaat al-Madiq قلعة المضيق, Qal'at al-Mudiq Hama Residential area 35°25′12″N 36°23′33″E / 35.42000°N 36.39250°E / 35.42000; 36.39250 (Qal'at al-Madiq) Purchased.
Aleika Castle قلعة العليقة, Uleyqa Tartus (in Jabal Bahra')
Al-Qadmus Castle قلعة القدموس, Al-Qadmous; Kadmus Tartus (in Jabal Bahra') Ruined 35°06′05″N 36°09′40″E / 35.10139°N 36.16111°E / 35.10139; 36.16111 Purchased from Muslim forces.
Al-Kahf Castle قلعة الكهف Tartus (in Jabal Bahra') Partially ruined 35°02′27″N 36°04′58″E / 35.04083°N 36.08278°E / 35.04083; 36.08278 (Al-Kahf Castle) Probably the main residence of Rashid al-Din Sinan. He died in the castle in 1192. Ismailis had purchased the castle from Muslims in 1138.
Khawabi Castle قلعة الخوابي Tartus (in Jabal Bahra') Residential area 34°58′22″N 36°00′06″E / 34.97278°N 36.00167°E / 34.97278; 36.00167 (Qala'at Khawabi) Conquered by Baibars in 1273.
Rusafa Castle قلعة الرصافة Hama (in Jabal Bahra') Partially ruined 35°2′15″N 36°18′00″E / 35.03750°N 36.30000°E / 35.03750; 36.30000 (Qala'at al-Rusafa) Rebuilt by Sinan. Conquered by Baibars in 1271.
Qulay'ah Castle قلعة القليعة Tartus (in Jabal Bahra')
Sarmin Castle قلعة سرمين Idlib (in Jabal Bahra')
Maniqa Castle قلعة المنيقة Latakia (in Jabal Bahra')

See also

References

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