Day 236 September 27 2017
Today another highlight – Babak castle. This required 4WD vehicles and skilled drivers, in our case not just the roads the added degree of difficulty was his seat – angled precariously to the right.
A misty day with light rain and the higher we climbed the cooler it got. While said to be a beautiful drive the mist hid the view and the villages along the way. Somewhere in the heavy mist we stopped at a small smoky cabin where a couple prepared and served a warming simple home cooked lunch.
It was a misty walk up the mountain to Babak castle which seemed to make it all the more eery and beautiful. As we neared the top the mist cleared showing a large multi-level castle at the end of a winding stone path with huge stone blocks forming the fortress walls and steps.
The castle itself was the last stronghold of Babak Khorramdin, the leader of the revolutionary Khorram-Dinan, who fought for freedom against the Abbasid Caliphate in the 9th century, the castle was at the core of a rebellion that lasted for 20 years before it was finally defeated. Legend has it that when Babak was finally executed his legs and hands were cut off to send a message to his followers. However Babak is said to have washed his face in his own blood to prevent his persecutors seeing him go pale from the blood loss and today his feats are still celebrated by not only Iranians, but also Tajiks and Azeris.
An exhilarating visit and Chris’s favourite castle.
Time to retrace – back down the mountain and on to Kaleybar where we spent the night at the Paradise Hotel – well we think so – it was an “or similar” night. Staff and the owner went out of their way to make sure we were comfortable. Rooms were roomy, cool, and comfortable.
Dinner was a feast with large platters and tagines along the table with a choice of dishes – mine a delicious chicken casserole traditional to the area.
