KALAT-E NADERI

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Discovering Kalat-e Naderi

A Legendary Fortress and Palace in Iran

Kalat-e Naderi holds significant historical and cultural value in Iran. According to the history of Iran, Nader Shah, the Afsharid King, is known to be one of the most powerful men who ruled Iran. He chose Khorasan as his capital while Iran passed a chaotic period. He reunited Iran and removed the invaders. Then he constructed a splendid palace in Kalat town in a mountainous and impassable area near Mashhad. It is said that Kalat e Naderi was the only fortress Timur couldn’t conquer.
This citadel, also named the “palace of the sun,” is a three-story mansion with 12 rooms. The rooms are ornamented with delicate paintings and floral stucco works. The cylindrical tower on the fortress is ornamented with vertical lines and reminds one of the Indian architecture style. Kalat e Naderi had been used as the resident of Nader Shah and his family. The valuable treasury of the king, including the world-known diamond of Iran named Kooh- e Noor was also kept in this palace.
The historical Kalat town, where the glorious Naderi palace is rested, has a stunning natural landscape called “the lost paradise”. Visiting the green foothills, lush trees, water springs, and Ghareh Su waterfall surrounding the historical Kalat e Naderi makes it worth spending a day in this unknown land.

How access to Kalat-e Naderiin Iran?

Kalat-e Naderi is located in Kalat County, Razavi Khorasan Province, Iran, about 44 miles (70 kilometers) north of Mashhad. The fortress is on a massive natural plateau and can be accessed via a winding mountain road leading up to the fortress.

Visitors can travel to Mashhad by air or land transportation, as Mashhad is one of the largest cities in Iran and is well-connected to other cities. From Mashhad, visitors can hire a taxi or join a guided tour to reach Kalat-e Naderi.

Iran travelers can also use Tours of Iran professional guides and transportation to enjoy these magnificent landscapes.

It’s important to note that the fortress is mountainous and impassable, so visitors should be prepared for steep climbs and rugged terrain. It’s also advisable to visit during the daytime and avoid visiting during extreme weather conditions.

Kalat-e Naderi’s nearby attractions:

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Best time to visit Kalat-e Naderi

The best time to visit Kalat-e Naderi is during the spring (March to May) and autumn (September to November) seasons. When the weather is milder and the landscapes surrounding the fortress are lush and green. The weather is mild in the spring. Flowers and trees bloom, making it an excellent time for hiking and exploring the fortress’s natural beauty. In the autumn, the temperatures are more relaxed. The foliage turns to beautiful shades of red, orange, and yellow, making the landscapes even more stunning.

The weather can be pretty hot during the summer (June to August), with temperatures often exceeding 100°F (38°C). Making hiking and outdoor activities uncomfortable. Additionally, the natural landscapes surrounding the fortress may not be as lush or green during this time of year.

Winter (December to February) can be pretty cold and snowy in the mountainous region surrounding Kalat-e Naderi, making access to the fortress difficult. However, if you are interested in winter sports, such as skiing and snowboarding, nearby ski resorts are open during this time of year.

Overall, the best time to visit Kalat-e Naderi is spring and autumn. When the weather is mild, and the landscapes are most beautiful.

Kalat-e Naderi in history

Percy Sykes, a British soldier, and diplomat, wrote in “A History of Persia” in 1921:

…I visited the extraordinary natural fortress of Kalat-i-nadir and climbed its northern wall, one of the mountains in this range. From the crest, I looked across the yellow plain, stretching northwards in level monotony, and was struck by its immensity…

It is a massive plateau about 4 miles in circumference that has been used as a fortress since before the Achaemenid era. It is surrounded on three sides by high cliff walls ranging from 1500 feet on the south to 2000 feet on the west. With lower eastern walls and a gently sloping plain leading up to the heights from the north.

It’s famous as the only fortress ever to withstand a siege by Tamerlane.

Alexander, the Great’s army, laid siege to it. While Alexander left to deal with a rebellious Persian chieftain, he ordered Craterus to command most of the army and take the fortress.