The Maiden fortress or Qaleh Dokhtar is geographically located on a mountain slope near Firuzabad in Fars Province. The world “Maiden” refers to a Goddess called Anahita and this shows that the fortress was named after this goddess. The Maiden Fortress was constructed in three levels and to enter it, a special stairway was built. There are three square rooms on three sides of the yard and the fourth side has a way to the balcony on the upper floor. The central hall of the Maiden fortress has a dome ceiling which is believed to be unique to some extent because placing a round ceiling over a square hall was difficult but the professional architects of that time made a new way which worth to see. The fortress was made of stones in all parts. Although some sections were destroyed through different eras, it is still magnificent for those who would like to explore history. In the entrance of the Maiden Fortress, there is a cave which local people believe that it is the connecting route to the city and the palace of Ardashir Babakan. Going to Shiraz has many advantages due to its abundance of attractions. Firuzabad and the Maiden Fortress are some of its eye-catching ones.
