The Iranian Revolutionary Guards (Pasdar) have reportedly prevented the 1800-year-old Felek’ul Wallachian Castle (Xorramabad Castle) from being included on the UNESCO World Cultural Heritage List.
Felek’ul Wallachian Castle, is one of the most important historical sites of the region with its unique architecture and was built on a large hill in Iran Kurdistan (Rojhelat) Xorramabad city.
It has been on UNESCO’s World Heritage list of nominees for inclusion for several years. UNESCO has stipulated that the castle should not be used as a military base in order to be on the list. Therefore, the Iranian regime leaving this castle in the service of the Revolutionary Guards prevents the castle from being included on the UNESCO list, reported by Özgür Politika.
Revolutionary Guards won’t leave the castle
‘’The Revolutionary Guards will not leave the castle, saying that they do not have enough money to build a military base outside the castle,’’ according to local reporters from the Avatoday agency.
“The Revolutionary Guards should build their headquarters outside and leave the castle,” said Emin Kasımi, the City’s Director of Cultural Heritage.
The Iranian government allocated 11 billion Toman (Iranian currency) to the army and 69 billion Toman for the Revolutionary Guards to leave the castle. Thereby ensuring that the castle will be included in the UNESCO World Cultural Heritage List. However, even though the members of the regular Iranian army left the castle after the budget was supplied, the Revolutionary Guards do not leave the castle, claiming that the allocated budget is insufficient.
The castle is not restored
Horramabad Deputy Mehirdad Veysikerimi blamed the government for not fulfilling their responsibility and causing the delay.
Kurdish activists demanded that Felek’ul Wallachian Castle should be opened to tourism and fully protected and restored.
Eight castles, two courtyards
The castle, which has different names such as Şapur Castle, Sabır Castle, Dezbaz and Xorramabad Castle, is on the list to be included in the UNESCO World Cultural Heritage List of protected sites.
The rectangular Felek’ul Wallachian Castle, built on an area of 5300 square meters in the city centre, has eight towers and two courtyards. The height of the towers from the ground is 22.5 meters, and the height of the towers is 40 meters. The castle, which was used as a stockyard and a prison for a short period, was later transformed into a military base.
