Monday, October 27, 2008

Around Iran # 3 : Arg-e-Bam








Arg-e Bam In my Sketch


Arg-e Bam was the largest adobe building in the world, located in Bam, a city in the Kerman province of southeastern Iran. It is listed by UNESCO as part of the World Heritage Site "Bam and its Cultural Landscape". This enormous citadel on the Silk Road was built before 500 BC and remained in use until 1850 AD. It is not known for certain why it was then abandoned.
The entire building was a large fortress in whose heart the citadel itself was located, but because of the impressive look of the citadel, which forms the highest point, the entire fortress is named the Bam Citadel.
The planning and architecture of the citadel are ingeniously thought out from different points of view. From the present form of the citadel one can see that the planner(s) had foreseen the entire final form of the building and city from the first steps in the planning process. During each phase of building development the already-built part enjoyed a complete figure, and each additional part could be "sewn" into the existing section seamlessly.
The citadel is situated in the center of the fortress-city, on the point with widest view for security.When the gate of the city was closed, no human or animal could enter. The inhabitants could continue living for a long period of time in isolation as they had access to a well, gardens, and domestic animals inside. When the fortress-city was besieged the inhabitants could remain in the city while the soldiers could defend it, protected by high walls and towers.

Reference of text:Wikipedia



Arg-e-Bam After the earthquake


On December 26, 2003, the Citadel was almost completely destroyed by an earthquake, along with much of the rest of Bam and its environs.I exactly remember that day.All Iranians shocked by this disaster.Many people were killed.Earthequake destroyed more than 80 percent of the Citadel.It was really crying! A few days after the earthquake, President Mohammad Khatami announced that the Citadel would be rebuilt.
We believe Arg-e Bam is still alive.Listen! It is breathing ...