Gonbad-e Qabus - Historical Attractions

Historical Attractions

Qizil Alan's Defense Wall (155 km long and 6 to 10 meter wide) is one of the most outstanding and gigantic architectural monuments in Gorgan Plain (Turkoman sahra steppes) history. This wall, which is the largest defensive wall in the world after the Great Wall of China, starts from the Caspian sea coast, circles north of Gonbade Kavous, continues towards the northwest, and vanishes behind the Pishkamar Mountains. A logistical archaeological survey was conducted regarding the wall in 1999 due to problems in development projects, especially during construction of the Golestan Dam, which irrigates all the areas covered by the wall. At the point of the connection of the wall and the drainage canal from the dam, architects discovered the remains of the above wall. At parts, this wall is 6m wide and in other parts the width is 10m, which proves that the thickness of the wall differs in various regions, according to the natural features and soil types. Castles have been built at different distances. The longest distance between castles is 50 km and the shortest is 10 km. The 40 identified castles vary in dimension and shape but the majority are square fortresses. Due to many difficulties in development and agricultural projects, archaeologists have been assigned to mark the boundary of the historical find by laying cement blocks. The Qizil Alan's Wall has been named Alexander Dam, Anushirvân Dam, Firuz Dam and Gorgan's Defense Wall in various historical texts. Those who are originally from Gorgan, are a little bit prejudice in favor of calling the wall Gorgan's Defense Wall. Dr. Kiani who led the archeological team in 1971 believes that the wall was built during the Parthian dynasty simultaneously with the construction of the Great Wall of China and it was restored during the Sassanid era (3-7th c. AD).