Salsal Castle, Qaleh Dush village, Lisar
Information
Description
Gilan's Forgotten Salsal Castle
A thousand-year-old structure whose stone walls still stand firm after many years. Salsal Castle or Lisar Castle was an old military base and a strong defensive fortress located in an excellent position to control the surrounding area.
In the beautiful village of Qaleh Doush in Lisar city, Gilan
Coins of the Atabegs of Azerbaijan from the Seljuk period, 2 pieces of famous glazed pottery plates known as black pen pottery, with plant motifs carved under the glaze and dark and light colors, simple pottery vessels such as jugs and bowls, animal horns like deer and cattle alongside iron objects including horseshoes and axes are some of the findings of this castle, whose usage dates back about 700 years.
Excavations show a direct connection between the pottery motifs and vessels found in the castle with the motifs found in the Talesh region, which include pine trees, flowers, animals, and geometric shapes. Further excavation, by examining the castle's architectural foundation, water distribution site, ceramic water transfer pipes, several broken pottery pieces, multiple ovens for cooking, special cooking vessels, and metal artifacts such as small and large stable nails and clothing buckles were discovered.
In the final excavation phase, three very valuable and unique items were found: an iron arrow that supported the hypothesis of the castle's destruction due to attack and fire; a copper inlaid silver pen case with basil inscriptions; and a copper coin or 'fulus' related to the Atabegs of Azerbaijan from the 6th century AH. The obtained coin belonged to the second Atabeg of Azerbaijan. Information from the coins and pottery indicates this castle dates back to the Seljuk period and is approximately 1000 to 1500 years old, making it the oldest structure in Gilan. According to the former director general of Gilan's Cultural Heritage, Tourism, and Handicrafts, 9 pieces of pottery found in Salsal were delivered to the Rasht museum for preservation after restoration.
