Rayen is known to be the second biggest adobe construct of the world after Bam, making Kerman Province the city of castles. Although it is not as old as Bam Castle is, the archeologist believe that it dates back to Sassanid dynasty. The little sister of Bam castle was the ruling center of Mirza Hassan Khan Rayeny during the reign of Nader Shah and later inherited by his son Muhammad Ali Khan in the reign of Zand kings. The castle was placed on the route of Caravans that passed Kerman, and therefore, one of the important trading centers of Iran.
The castle is surrounded with 10-meter-tall fortifications and entering the castle is possible through the only entrance gate of the castle in the eastern side. There is a small rectangular hole above the gate that was used to identify those who asked for permission of entering the city. The spiral stairs of the city that their construction requires much accuracy, even by modern standards, are the sign of advanced state of the place. The most significant thing about the castle, however, is that it had different neighborhoods each belonging to one of the occupations or social classes of the city, such division is unheard of and not witnessed in other remaining castles of Iran.
It is not as old as Bam Citadel, but the archeologist believe that it dates back to Sassanid dynasty. It was the ruling center of Mirza Hassan Khan Rayeny during the reign of Nader Shah and later inherited by his son Muhammad Ali Khan in the reign of Zand kings.
Some of the neighborhoods of this castle are, royal neighborhood, tradesmen neighborhood, farmer neighborhood, and artisan neighborhood. Immediately after the gate, the artisans’ neighborhood began with blacksmith shops that sold knives and tools. It proves the popularity of knives made here among the travelers, it shows that selling handicrafts was a major source of trade in this city.
After Bam’s earthquake, the attentions were transferred to Rayen as another beautiful adobe construct and the renovation, that has started before the earthquake, was completed and this site became a highlight of Kerman and tourism destination.
