Zindan Fortress

Zindan Fortress
Azerbaijani: Zindan qalası
Persian: قلعه زیندان
Map
38°45′03″N 48°51′22″E / 38.75083°N 48.85611°E / 38.75083; 48.85611
LocationLankaran, Azerbaijan
TypeMausoleum
Completion date1747-1786

Zindan Fortress or the Round Fortress (Azerbaijani: Zindan qalası və ya Dairəvi qala, Persian: قلعه زیندان یا قلعه مدور) is a part of the Lankaran Fortress built in the 18th century. This one, as well as the second fortress similar to it, currently used as a lighthouse, were the southern and northern strongholds of the Lankaran Fortress’ system. After the occupation by the Russian troops, the Lankaran Fortress was destroyed, consequently the strongholds were divided. In 1869, a lantern was installed on the roof of the fortress known as the northern stronghold, and the building began to be used as a lighthouse.[1] Currently, the lighthouse is under the jurisdiction of the Caspian Shipping Company. The Zindan Fortress was used as a prison from 1869 to 1959.[2] According to some reports, at the beginning of the 20th century, Joseph Stalin served his sentence here.[3] By the Decree No. 132 of the Cabinet of Ministers of the Republic of Azerbaijan, dated with 2 August 2001, the fortress is protected by the state and is included in the list of the architectural monuments.[4]

  1. ^ Bağır Əliyev (May 27, 2020). "Lənkərandakı "Dairəvi qala" əsaslı təmir olunacaq" (in Azerbaijani). Azerbaijan State News Agency. Archived from the original on June 14, 2020. Retrieved March 2, 2022.
  2. ^ Mistanli Agshin (2020). Cənub bölgəsinin abidələr ensiklopediyasi (PDF). Baku: Adiloğlu. pp. 60–61.
  3. ^ Kamilla Rzayeva (August 6, 2019). "Stalin's Azerbaijan prison where water burns like fire". CNN. Archived from the original on February 28, 2021. Retrieved March 2, 2022.
  4. ^ "Stalinin Azərbaycanda həbsdə saxlanıldığı tarixi Zindan qalası uça bilər" (in Azerbaijani). baku.ws. Archived from the original on October 29, 2021. Retrieved March 2, 2022.