Arg-e Karim Khan

Shiraz


Dominating the city centre, this burly fortress was built in the early Zand period and formed part of the royal court that Karim Khan hoped would rival Esfahan. The high walls feature ornamental brickwork and are punctuated by four attractive 14m-high circular towers. The southeastern tower has a noticeable lean, having subsided into the underground cistern that served as the Arg’s bathhouse.

There’s not much to see inside the Arg except a dusty museum with mannequins, and an open courtyard filled with citrus trees and a pool.


Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

Nearby Shiraz attractions

1. Pars Museum

0.11 MILES

The tiny but beautiful pavilion housing this museum is as much of an attraction as the fine collection showcased therein.

2. Bagh-e Nazar

0.12 MILES

This formal garden encompasses an octagonal pavilion, which is now home to the Pars Museum. Karim Khan once received foreign dignitaries in the pavilion,…

3. Bazar-e Nou

0.21 MILES

On the north side of Karim Khan-e Zand Blvd, this Qajar-era bazaar caters largely to local shopping needs but makes for an interesting stroll nonetheless.

4. Hammam-e Vakil

0.21 MILES

The vaulted central chamber of this Zand-era bathhouse features some fine plasterwork and candy-twist columns. A series of costumed mannequins illustrate…

5. Masjed-e Vakil

0.22 MILES

Begun in Karim Khan’s time, this mosque next to the tribal arts arcade in the Bazar-e Vakil has an impressive tiled portal, a recessed entrance decorated…

6. Bazar-e Vakil

0.23 MILES

The city’s ancient trading district is home to several bazaars dating from different periods. The finest and most famous of these is the Bazar-e Vakil, a…

7. Bazar-e Vakil (North)

0.28 MILES

The northern spur of its famous neighbour, Bazar-e Vakil, across Karim Khan-e Zand Blvd, this Qajar-era bazaar is fringed with shops along Zand Blvd…

8. Museum of Iranian Fine Arts

0.44 MILES

Set within a delightful old house around a warren of courtyards, corridors and painted rooms, this museum is home to both permanent and temporary fine-art…

  • placement: superzone
  • path: Destinations/POIs/superzone
  • possible size: [970, 250], [970, 90], [728, 90], [1, 1],
  • targeting:
    {
      "url": "iran/central-iran/shiraz/attractions/arg-e-karim-khan/a/poi-sig/1123901/361016",
      "destination": "Shiraz",
      "continent": "Middle-East",
      "country": "Iran",
      "city": "Shiraz",
      "position": "superzone"
    }