Karim Khan Citadel Challenged by Tall Hotel

As the controversial construction of an 18-story hotel near Arg-e Karim Khan (Karim Khan Citadel) in Shiraz, Fars Province, continues, calls from NGOs and heritage lovers for pulling down the extra floors have become stronger.

Karim Khan Citadel, built in the second half of the 18th century, is located in close proximity to Roudaki Street at the heart of downtown Shiraz. Strangely enough, this very small street with hardly enough space for 10 cars is crammed with 10 hotels.

One of these hotels called “Aseman”, a hotel with 18 stories and still under construction, has been a bone of contention in recent months. Unfortunately, the hotel is seriously spoiling the citadel’s aesthetics, IRNA reported.

Municipal officials have told the owner several times to demolish the extra four floors, but to no avail, which forced Shiraz authorities to take legal action.

With the formation of the new administration, this issue is again under the spotlight, with many blaming the authorities for their inaction.

As the latest development in this blame game, the provincial office of Iran’s Cultural Heritage Handicrafts and Tourism Organization in Fars has denied vehemently the allegation that the office has not handled this problem properly.

The office has issued a statement stressing that it is seriously following the issue and will not allow the hotel to exceed 14 stories.

“Hopefully, through mutual dialogue with the hotel owner and necessary legal actions, we will resolve the issue, but this cannot be done overnight given the required modifications in plot plans and the financial costs,” said Mosayyeb Amiri, the head of the provincial ICHHTO, adding that his office is looking for the most efficient and cost-effective solution.  

Arts and cultural lovers are concerned that the construction of the 18-story building will damage the unique architectural beauty of this valuable monument, ruining the opportunity of inscribing this monument on UNESCO’s World Heritage List.

Karim Khan Citadel, located at Fars Province, is the most famous historical structure belonging to Zand Dynasty that ruled Iran during the second half of the 18th century.