Ziwiyeh Castle

The castle of Ziwiyeh or Ziwiyeh Castle (Persian: قلعه زیویه) is an ancient building situated on the top of a mount above the wide Ziwiyeh Cave in Saqqez, Iran. Ziwiye tepe or castle is located 50 kilometers to Saqqez and the area now have been Somewhat rebuilt by Iranian Cultural Heritage Organization. It is located at an altitude of 1,835 metres (6,020 ft) above sea level in Kurdistan province of Iran on the south of Lake Urmia. Artefacts found there belong to the 9th century BC (belonging to the Medes era) and have been kept in some museums. A large golden necklace with some mythical animals engraved on it is one of the most famous things found in the area.^[1][2][3]

This castle was the residence of the Medes and Scythians and was considered their capital and its history dates back to the first millennium BC. Also before the Medes and Scythians, this castle was the capital of the Mannaeans who were attacked by the Assyrians.

The building of this castle or fortress was three-story with 21 stone stairs. The foundation of stairs and columns was of the stone and walls were built of adobe. The first story a part of which has been still remained had a religious function and it is estimated to be a temple. Being located in the same level as the hillside made it easily accessible for people. The second floor was built on a stone triangular bench due to the slope and it was residential. Interconnected painted rooms in blue, cream, black and brick colors differentiated it from other parts. The archery and bronze arrow discovered in this floor lead to the possibility of the second floor to be the residence of military force and army ammunition.

El tercer piso, también llamado residencia del gobernante, tiene un granero, lo que indica que fue un lugar seguro durante la guerra y los asedios. Este piso cuenta con amplias habitaciones con grandes puertas y ventanas, doce capiteles de piedra y algunas columnas de piedra y madera. André Godard mencionó la mesa y las sillas con decoraciones de bronce en este salón. El suelo de este edificio está pavimentado con ladrillos o baldosas en algunas partes. Hay dos puertas, una al norte y otra al sur, y la puerta ubicada en la ladera de la cima de la montaña tiene hermosas decoraciones de azulejos. El castillo tenía un sistema de tuberías de agua que se abastecía de los manantiales de las montañas vecinas. ^{[ 4 ]}

El tesoro de Ziviyeh fue hallado por arqueólogos en el emplazamiento del castillo de Ziwiye a principios del siglo XX. Este tesoro fue trasladado a los principales museos del mundo. ^{[ 5 ]}

• Tesoro de Ziwiye
• Distrito de Ziviyeh

36°15′43.73″N 46°41′16.11″E / 36.2621472°N 46.6878083°E / 36.2621472; 46.6878083