The fire temple of Isfahan (Atashgah)

Isfahan is one of the most popular tourist destinations and many tourists visit this spectacular city every year, both independently and with tours of Isfahan. Numerous historical monuments along with natural attractions make Isfahan lovable for any tourist. Isfahan Atashgah is one of these attractions, an interesting destination that has both historical value and a natural landscape.

This historical mountain with long antiquity has unsaid that it is referred to some of its corners, in this article. Many of the famous people’s viewpoints that are said about this beautiful building are brought in this article.

The introducing:

Isfahan Fire Temple, also known as Atashgah, is one of the oldest historical monuments of the Sassanian period and places of interest in Isfahan. The original name of this fire temple was Mehrbin Fortress and now people call it Marbin Castle. This fire temple was one of the seven large and important fire temples of the Sassanian era.

Where is Atashgah?

Isfahan Fire temple(Atashgah) is located at a height of 100 meters on Mount Atashgah, in the Marbin section and eight kilometers west of Isfahan. This place is located in the southern part of Khomeini Shahr, with a distance of two kilometers from Monar jonban and in the northern part of Isfahan-Najaf-Abad highway.

From the top of this mountain, you will see a beautiful view from all over the city, gardens, and surrounding fields. You must use your own car or taxi to access the Atashgah. For this purpose, from wherever you are in the city, use the Kharazi Highway or Jihad Street to reach Atashgah Street.

After about eight kilometers on this street, you will see the entrance of the fire temple. After reaching the mountain, get ready to climb. Keep in mind that this climb may be difficult for some visitors.

The history of this temple:

Studies show that the building dates back to the sixth century BC and in the third century AD, it became a place for eternal fire. In ancient texts, it is called Mehrin Fortress and many references to the ancient culture and civilization of the ancient town of Mehrin and Marbin, indicate the antiquity and originality of this building.

The study of this building began in 1938 by Andre Godard in a series of Iranian studies journals. The first detailed architectural plan was prepared in 1960 by Maxim Ciro.

Among the Iranians, first, a Zoroastrian priest named Rashid Shahmardan and then an archaeologist named Alireza Jafari-Zand together with Mitra Azad studied this building. These Iranian archaeologists have presented the results of their research in books with the same title.

Today, you will see many holes in the fabric of the building that have been dug by looters in the hope of finding treasure. Also, the number 1353 engraved on some of the bricks of the northern part of the structure, shows that the building of the fire temple was restored during the Pahlavi period.

Architecture of Atashgah:

The ancient architecture of the fire temple is a good indication of its long history; A huge structure that is 107 meters long at every corner and is like an impenetrable fortress. Remains of the building show that the structure had five floors, of which only two floors can now be seen.

Traces of tall and strong pillars from the middle of the mountain to the room above the mountain and several other rooms based on those pillars can also be seen.

As you climb the mountain, you may notice the remnants of the steps that were built in the heart of the mountain, and now only a small part of them remains. Also, the surviving foundations on the walls show that in the past centuries, this structure had a rotating and high dome.

The texture of this building is made of raw clay, which is made of clay mortar, lime, and straw stalks. Dry straw branches were used between the bricks for more strength.

At the top of the mountain, at the highest point of the mountain, there is a round room with octagons, made of clay, which is surrounded by octagonal windows and is half a meter in diameter. Many believe that Zoroastrian priests kept the eternal fire in this place because of the windows facing outwards. There is not much evidence left from the last time this fire temple was burning.

Interesting tips about fire temple (Atashgah):

This historical place has many interesting tips which force people in different generations to praise it.

Hamzeh Esfahani has stated in the book of Isfahan:

The fire temple of Isfahan was one of the houses of worship in the time of Tahmourth and it was called Minoodj and you were very impatient, as they came here from among the eastern cities and brought it so that Tahmouris is placed there and in a crypt. Is buried.

Dehkhoda writes in his dictionary:

When Alexander intended to destroy the fire temple of Isfahan, Azarhamayun, who was simply a fire temple and a witch, presented himself to Alexander as a formidable dragon. Blinas also invalidated his spell, and for this reason, Alexander gave her to Blinas and he married Azarmayun. That’s why Blinas learned to be known as Bellinas Magic from that woman.

In his letter to Iskandar, Nezami Ganjavi mentions Alexander and the history of his conquests and the secret tunnels and hiding places of Sepahan. Elsewhere, he speaks of Fereydoun’s hidden treasure. Perhaps this is why Alexander opens seven treasures in Isfahan.

In Ganjavi’s military honorary letter, there are stories about a woman in the fire of Isfahan. Nezami announces a fireplace in the city of Sepahan, which is very beautiful and well-painted in the spring, which is taken care of by several girls.

Hamzeh Isfahani writes about the fire temple of Isfahan in the book “Kings of the Earth and the Prophets”:

key ardeshir founded three fire temples in Isfahan in one day. One when the sun rises on the side of Marbin Castle, called the fire temple of Ardeshir city, the second a fire temple called Zarwan Ardeshir at noon in the darkness of Khavar villages and the third, Mehr Ardeshir fire temple in Ardestan village.

Sadegh Hedayat wrote in his book “Isfahan, half of the world” about Atashgah:

Isfahan Atashgah, on the day of its birth, had a special glory. This temple, like the mosque and the church, has no walls around it and does not cover anything from anyone. It was like fire, clean and pure.

The same eternal fire representing purity and beauty that stretched to the sky and in the dark nights, from afar, strengthened the depressed hearts and spoke closely, with an enchanting maze, to the human psyche.

The best time of visiting this place:

Since the fireplace is located in an open environment on the mountain and you need to climb the mountain to reach it, the best time to visit it is spring; Because the heat of summer or the cold of autumn and winter can be annoying. Especially in May and June, due to the mild and pleasant weather and more or less secluded environment than Nowruz, is the best time to visit the Isfahan Fire House. Also, due to the location, it is recommended to visit during daylight hours.

The time of visiting this place and ticket:

Visiting hours of the Isfahan Fire temple are from 9 to 17 and the ticket costs 15,000 Tomans. Of course, the park next to Atashgah Mountain is open 24 hours a day and there is no cost to use it.

The accessibility

You must use your own car or taxi to access the Atashgagh. For this purpose, from wherever you are in the city, use the Kharazi Highway or Jihad Street to reach Atashgah Street. After about eight kilometers on this street, you will see the entrance of the fire temple.

Atashgah was registered in the list of national monuments of Iran in December 1330 (to be returned to AD) and with the number 380. In the ’50s this building was completely renovated and in the early ’60s in order to prevent damage and destruction, the entrance doors of the building were closed and completely camouflaged and today few people know where to enter these large buildings.

Hotels near this place:

• Aali qapu hotel
• Sheikh bahaii hotel
• Abbasi hotel
• Aseman hotel

Read more: Best Hotels in Isfahan

The nearest tourist attractions:

•  Monar jonban
• Marnan bridge
• Nazhvan park
• Garladan zone
• Oyster museum
• Butterfly museum
• Kabootar khane jorogan
• Birds yard
• Slithery yard

Atashgah is one of the most historic buildings in Isfahan province. This fire temple is one of the seven fire temples of the Sassanid era. This ancient monument is 107 meters long This fire temple is built on a mountain and the best season to visit it is spring.

Questions about Atashgah

Where is Atashgah?

Isfahan Fire Temple is located at a height of 100 meters on Mount Atashgah, in the Marbin section and eight kilometers west of Isfahan. This place is located in the southern part of Khomeini Shahr, two kilometers from Monar Jonban and in the northern part of Isfahan-Najaf-Abad highway.

When does Isfahan Fire Temple date back?

‏Studies show that this building dates back to the sixth century BC. In the third century, it became a place of eternal fire.

‏How to access Atashgah?

‏You must use your car or take a taxi to access this place. For this purpose, from wherever you are in the city, use the Kharazi Highway or Jihad Street to reach Atashgah Street. After about eight kilometers on this street, you will see the entrance of the fire station. After reaching the mountain, get ready to climb. Keep in mind that this climb may be difficult for some visitors

‏What are the visiting hours of the Isfahan Fire temple?

Visiting hours of Atashgah are from 9 to 17. Of course, the park next to Atashgah Mountain is open 24 hours a day.

Conclusion:

Isfahan’s fireplace or mountain of the fireplace is one of the recreation, tourism, and historical buildings of Isfahan city and century and of the memorials of ancient Iran. This complex has old historical background and benefits from it in different times.

How did you feel after the presence in this building and observing the interior and the surrounding space of this fireplace?

Did you liked travelling in mountains and reaching to the fireplace?