Noushijan Tappe (Hill) and Citadel

Noushijan Tappe (Hill) and Citadel (Persian: ارگ و تپه باستانی نوشیجان, [Nūshijān]) is one of the most important attractions of Malayer in Hamadan province, which is also called Dej-e-Mabad. Noushijan adobe citadel can be considered the oldest adobe temple in the world.

At a distance of 60 km south of Hamedan and 20 km west of Malayer, the fire temple and the ancient castle of Noushijan are located on a rock overlooking the Shurkat plain and near the village of Shushab.

This historical site was identified in 1964. In 1967, by the joint Iranian-British delegation headed by David Stronach, scientific excavations began in it, which led to the identification of three periods. The first period of the Medes (c. 678 BC – c. 549 BC), the second period of the Achaemenids (550 BC – 330 BC), and the third period of the Sassanids (224 – 651). According to the excavations, it is estimated that this area is up to 2800 years old. The approximate dimensions of the hill are 80 meters in length, 30 meters in width, and a height of 37 meters. This hill was one of the defensive fortresses of the Medes. Besides, due to the existence of a fire temple, religious practices were also performed there. This region is one of the prominent sources for the study of Iranian civilization.

Noushijan citadel includes parts such as the old building (fire temple) in the west side of the Tappe, the columned hall or Apadana (adapted from the 100-column hall of Persepolis), the central hall or central temple which is an octagonal building, rooms, and storerooms (in the east side of the Tappe), and rampart.

On this hill, silver pieces were discovered in the form of hollow rings. These objects are attributed to be the first examples of the human invention of money and belong to the Median era.

This historical monument was nationally registered in 1967 as one of the historical monuments of Iran.