About
The Arg of Karim Khan, also known as the Karim Khan Citadel or Arg-e Karim Khan, stands on Shahrdari Square in Shiraz, the capital of Fars Province in southern Iran. It is a fortress built in the 18th century by Karim Khan Zand, who made it both his residence and a stronghold for the city.
What you will see
The citadel is a notable example of architecture from the Zand dynasty. Its most distinctive features are its leaning towers, which rise above the walls and give the site its recognisable silhouette from the square. Visitors interested in how a ruler's seat was designed in this period will find the structure a useful point of reference.
Planning your visit
- Location: Shahrdari Square, Shiraz, Fars Province, Iran.
- Also known as: Karim Khan Citadel, Arg-e Karim Khan.
- Contact: +98-71-32228677.
Because the square is in the city centre, the citadel is easy to combine with a walk through Shiraz itself. For current visiting arrangements, it is worth calling the number above before you set out.
The city around it
Shiraz is one of Iran's historic cities, and the citadel makes a natural part of a day spent exploring its centre. Pairing the visit with other sights in the city gives a fuller picture of the Zand period, when Shiraz served as the seat of Karim Khan's rule.