Narin Castle
A mud-brick castle that considered as the oldest civilization in Yazd province; Now is one the major attractions of Meybod town is Narin Castle, also known as Narenj Castle. Structures like these constituted the government stronghold in some of the older (pre-Islamic) towns of central Iran. Some of these castles incorporate mud bricks of the Medes period and of the Achaemenid and Sassanid dynasties. Although built some 2000 years ago, it contains what seems to be a type of plumbing system made out of mortar (Sarooj) built into its massive walls.
Description
The castle has been of great importance since the advent of Islam, which can be considered as a strong and indestructible place against enemies and aliens. The remarkable things about Narenj castle can be seen in the presence of accessible underground networks that the designers and architects of that era have built to provide and cater for the needs of people, including water and food.
Although there are some bricks from Medes period, there are rumors that Narin castle was built around 7000 years ago, this building unlike all other buildings has built as an old city in 3 different floors, at ground level you will see common people life form, then commercial and business part and then royal part (except the military part on the roof for patrolling and watching far distances in case of military invasion).
Architecture
One of the amazing architectural points of this castle is the existence of the ditch which was dug around the castle. They dug a ditch to military and defensive goals. The Narin Castle has an area of three hectares. The castle was built in about 5 stages. The oldest section of the building includes spaces carved in the heart of the earth and are called “Boken” in local language and make its lowest part. The structure also has a large underground hall that is filled by rubble now. High-rise four towers surround the entire compound and a large gate is the access to a large courtyard.