The Historic Watchtower of Shiraz, South of Iran
TEHRAN (Tasnim) - The ‘Gahbaneh-ye Did’ or watchtower of Shiraz is an ancient structure built in provincial capital of Fars, southern Iran, under Deylamian rule.
It is situated on the eastern mount of ‘Darvazeh Quran’ and is also known as the ‘Zeid Dome’.
Its construction was commissioned by Azod-e-Dowleh Deylami (or Aḍud al-Dawla who was an emir of the Buyid dynasty, ruling from 949 to 983). After he built the gate of ‘Darvazeh Quran’ he went on to commission this chartaghi on top of the mountain to provide a watchtower for the soldiers to watch guard over the entrance gate to Shiraz.
The quadrangle chartaghi has four porches made of uncut stone and mortar. It has a height of 3.5 meters and is inspired by the Sassanid chartaghi architecture.
The watchtower was used to guard the city and communicate messages to its other important areas. Shining light in mirrors, smoke, blowing horns, and lighting fires in the night were some of the means used to send alert messages. The messages were sent from tower to tower to reach the furthest corners of the empire.
This area has now been planted with trees and turned into a tourist attraction in Shiraz.
Source: Persia Digest