TEHRAN -- Recent archaeological investigations at the iconic Falak-ol-Aflak Castle have uncovered evidence suggesting that the monumental Sassanian-era fortress was built upon layers of human occupation dating as far back as the Bronze Age.
Ata Hasanpour, director general of Cultural Heritage, Tourism, and Handicrafts of Lorestan Province, reported at a strategic council meeting Thursday that systematic excavations on the castle mound have revealed stratigraphy extending from the Parthian period to the Bronze Age. 
“These discoveries demonstrate that Falak-ol-Aflak was not solely a Sassanian construction but a site with a far longer historical trajectory,” Hasanpour emphasized.
The ongoing project also marks the beginning of a comprehensive initiative to liberate the castle’s surrounding area, aiming to integrate the fortress, prehistoric caves, and adjacent archaeological remains into a cohesive urban tourism axis in central Khorramabad. 
Hasanpour further announced the establishment of a high council under the governor’s direction, tasked with managing development plans and consolidating the province’s branding as “Lorestan: Land of Prehistory.”
Falak-ol-Aflak, a massive brick structure situated atop an ancient mound in the heart of Khorramabad, is renowned for its unique architecture and engineering ingenuity. 
With origins in the Sassanian period, the fortress later served as the administrative center for the Hasanwayhids dynasty in the 10th century AH and subsequently became closely associated with the city itself. Historical records suggest that the castle’s name, Falak-ol-Aflak, was formalized during the Qajar era.
The site covers approximately 120,000 square meters, and the mound rises around 40 meters above

 the surrounding streets, with remnants of a 12-tower curtain wall still visible to the northwest. 
Inside, the castle features four grand halls, two courtyards, smaller chambers, and gates oriented toward the north. During the Qajar era, the fortress underwent restoration, and it now houses archaeological and ethnographic museums, a conservation laboratory, and a traditional tea house.
Architecturally, Falak-ol-Aflak is remarkable not only for its scale and design but also for its construction techniques, which address the region’s high rainfall and humidity through a sophisticated moisture-control system. 
Registered as a national heritage site under number 883, it has long been considered a candidate for UNESCO World Heritage listing. While global recognition remains pending, the site continues to draw attention from scholars and conservationists worldwide.
This year, the prehistoric sites in the Khorramabad Valley, dating back approximately 60,000 years, were inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage list. 
The recent excavations at Falak-ol-Aflak, coupled with strategic planning for integrating surrounding sites into an urban tourism corridor, promise to transform Khorramabad into a major destination for cultural heritage tourism, highlighting Lorestan’s deep historical roots and its enduring contributions to the understanding of Iran’s prehistoric and early historic periods.