Recent structural damage to the ancient mudbrick walls of Shahr-e Belqeys, a historically significant city located in northeast Iran, has raised concerns about the preservation of its remaining heritage. The collapse of a section of these walls has prompted urgent calls for restoration efforts to safeguard the city’s rich cultural legacy.

City of Belqeys. Credit: Tehran Times

Belqeys, known as the “City of Belqeys,” thrived from the late Sᴀssanid era through the early Islamic period, with its origins dating back approximately 6,000 years according to archaeological findings. Situated in Esfarayen county of North Khorasan province, the city’s prominence is underscored by its status as one of Iran’s largest mudbrick fortresses, second only to the UNESCO-registered Bam citadel.

Hossein Rahmani, director of the National Cultural Heritage Base in Shahr-e Belqeys, expressed deep concern over the recent collapse of a significant portion of the restored walls. Rahmani emphasized that this incident was not isolated, as worries regarding the stability of the walls had persisted for the past two to three years. The collapse, spanning approximately 160 square meters, has highlighted critical flaws in the restoration process.

Attributing the collapse to improper restoration methods, Rahmani pointed out discrepancies in the restoration depths, ranging from 10 centimeters at the bottom to 70 to 80 centimeters at the top of the walls. He criticized the use of raw clay and straw during the restoration, deviating from the historical construction practices of the Safavid, Ilkhanid, and Seljuk periods.

Credit: Tehran Times

Moreover, Rahmani highlighted the builders’ historical awareness of termites in the region, a threat compounded by the use of inappropriate materials during restoration. The combination of factors including expansive soil, erosion, and structural weight contributed to the collapse.

The lack of allocated funds for restoration work in recent years, primarily directed towards employee salaries, has exacerbated concerns about the preservation of Shahr-e Belqeys’ heritage. Rahmani estimated that approximately 1.2 billion tomans (approximately $20,000) would be required for a new restoration effort.

The significance of the Sᴀssanid era in Iranian history cannot be understated, it was characterized by a flourishing of Persian art and architecture. Notable architectural achievements from this period, such as the palaces at Ctesiphon, Firuzabad, and Sarvestan, serve as enduring reminders of the era’s cultural richness.

Efforts to excavate Shahr-e Belqeys have unearthed various artifacts, including family quarters, irrigation channels, and remnants of the citadel. Despite its age and the challenges it faces, the legacy of Shahr-e Belqeys remains a testament to Iran’s rich cultural heritage.