About
Bam and its Cultural Landscape is a heritage site in Bam, in Kerman Province, Iran. It is also known as Arg-e Bam, or the Bam Citadel. The site is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is made up of a medieval fortified city set within its surrounding landscape.
What you will see
The centrepiece is the ancient citadel, which dates back over 2,000 years. Its mud-brick walls and buildings rise above the older town, and the site is known for the world's largest adobe building. Walking through the streets and lanes gives a clear sense of how a fortified desert settlement was laid out and lived in.
Why it matters
Bam was an important stop on the Silk Road, the network of trade routes that linked east and west. Visitors interested in the history of caravan trade, or in earthen architecture, will find the site especially rewarding.
Planning your visit
- Location: Bam, Kerman Province, in south-eastern Iran.
- Contact: +98 34 4422 2228.
- Best suited to: visitors with an interest in ancient cities, Silk Road history and adobe architecture.
Because the citadel is built from mud brick, it is worth checking conditions and access with the site before you set out, and allowing time to wander at an unhurried pace.