Work to restore and rehabilitate streets and urban spaces has commenced in the historic district of Abarkuh. This is being carried out under an agreement on cooperation between the local Department of Cultural Heritage, Tourism, and Crafts and the Municipality of Abarkuh, an official representative reported.
Abbas Kadirian, head of the Department of Cultural Heritage, Tourism, and Crafts of Abarkuh, noted that this project became possible after the signing of an agreement between the two parties aimed at organizing and restoring the historic district.
He specified that the historic buildings of Abarkuh, covering 183 hectares, are included in Iran's National Heritage List. According to Kadirian, the municipality's attention to preserving cultural heritage, especially the historic district, contributed to including the restoration of its streets and alleys in the work plan.
The rehabilitation program has been divided into several stages, determined by the urgency of necessary repairs, current needs, and the goal of improving services for residents whose presence sustains the vitality of the centuries-old district.
The first stage covers the ancient route between Aghazadeh House and Mostavi House, also known as the Culture and Art Route. The subsequent restoration of other streets and alleys will proceed as necessary funding becomes available.
Kadirian also expressed gratitude to the Mayor of Abarkuh for the cooperation, noting that the interaction between the municipality and local cultural heritage protection bodies in the historic district was satisfactory. He also thanked the residents of Darvaze Meydan district for their assistance.
Abarkuh, also known as Abarku, is an ancient city in Yazd province, located along the Yazd–Eklid–Yazuj route. This city is situated between the historic centers of Yazd, Isfahan, and Shiraz and is famous for its ancient earthen architecture and rich cultural heritage.
Among the city's most famous attractions is the ancient Sarv-e Abarkuh cypress, which has become a symbol of the city. Experts offer various estimates of the tree's age, suggesting it could be between 4,000 and 5,000 years old, although some estimates date its age back to 8,000 years.
Restoration work on the historical Seb Castle, located in the Abarkuh district of Yazd province in central Iran, started on Saturday. These efforts are aimed at preserving the region's traditional adobe brick architecture, according to a local cultural heritage official.
Abbas Kadirian, head of the Cultural Heritage, Tourism, and Crafts Directorate of the Abarkuh district, noted that this castle is the largest residential citadel in Abarkuh and dates back to the Safavid era (1501–1736).
This complex, spanning 17,000 square meters, was included in Iran's National Heritage List in 2005 under registration number 13724. According to Kadirian, the residential complex features a characteristic grid layout, with most houses situated along alleys on both sides.
Traditional construction involves the use of unfired mud bricks, mud mortar, fired bricks, stone, and wood. Some older houses in the complex are decorated with decorative plasterwork, including floral and arabesque motifs, as well as muqarnas—a type of ornamental architectural vault.
The current restoration program includes establishing a conservation workshop, producing mud bricks mixed with water, removing damaged materials from surfaces, restoring mud walls using mud mortar, reinforcing deep cracks, and applying base and finishing layers of kah-gel, a traditional clay and straw plaster.
Kadirian emphasized that the restoration is vital for protecting the adobe architecture and the historical urban fabric of the castle. He added that continued conservation and maintenance can prevent further structural deterioration, preserve the architectural authenticity and historical identity of the complex, and promote conditions for its future use in cultural and tourism purposes.
Seb Castle is considered one of the largest residential adobe citadels in the country. Furthermore, Abarkuh is known for a cypress tree approximately 4,000 years old, which is also listed on the national heritage register. This tree has long been associated with the city's history and was described in records by the Venetian merchant and explorer Marco Polo.
