5759 x 3840 px | 48,8 x 32,5 cm | 19,2 x 12,8 inches | 300dpi
Data acquisizione:
luglio 2013
Ubicazione:
Kalat-e Naderi, Khurasan, Iran
Altre informazioni:
KALĀT-E NĀDERI (lat 37°00′05′′ N, long 59°45′27′′ E), is an elevated, isolated plateau in the mountains of Khorasan, some 150 km north of Mašhad, edged with steep cliffs that transform it into an almost inaccessible natural fortress. Geologically, it is in a synclinal enclave, thrust into relief by differential erosion of the Upper Cretaceous sedimentary series. Basically oval in overall shape, over 30 km long with an average width of 8 to 12 km, it reaches heights of some 900 to 1100 meters at the high points of the edges, which dominate the outer flanks with continuous sheer hard limestone cliff walls rising 100 to 200 meters above a talus of soft rock formed in the surrounding subsurface. Such an unusually high place, and its defensive value, did not fail to be exploited from very early on. It was Nāder Shah (r. 1736-47), born in the nearby Darra Gaz and well aware of the importance of this location, who fitted out the buildings systematically upon his return from India by fortifying all the approaches with new construction, with the intent of making it a major support center for his power, a possible launching point against the Uzbeks, and, according to oral tradition, a secure place to deposit his riches.