History
The fortress on a rocky summit in the Arasbaran region, near today's Kaleybar, was most likely built in pre-Islamic times. In the early 9th century it became the centre of the Khurramite revolt led by Babak, who from 816 inflicted defeat after defeat on the Abbasid caliphate's armies for over twenty years. It is identified with the fortress of al-Badhdh, taken in 837 after a long siege by Afshin, the general of Caliph al-Mu'tasim. Babak escaped but was soon betrayed, and in 838 he was executed in Samarra. The fortress fell into ruin.
What to see
A steep path leads up from Kaleybar, and the climb usually takes an hour and a half to two hours. On the rocky summit, more than 2,000 metres up, the remains of walls, towers and rooms survive, and a narrow passage between the rocks leads into the citadel. The top looks out over the forested valleys of Arasbaran.
Wikipedia article Wikidata Q627928
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