Stone Gate of Khoy

🕰️When was it built?

The exact date of the gate is not known, but it was part of Khoy's old wall and, as the city grew, ended up among newer buildings. In a 2008 restoration, the ground around it was dug out and lowered, uncovering about a metre of the body and original foundations that had been buried.

🏛️What was it built for?

The gate was built to protect the city and control who came and went, and a moat ran around the wall. Its north side faces the old bazaar, and its south side faced the road to Salmas. It was the way through the city's defences into the bazaar.

👀What you will see

• The north face is brick, with a pointed arch; this is the side that lines up with the old bazaar.
• The south face is built of cut grey and black stones laid in alternating courses.
• The arch on the south side is a round arch, different in shape from the pointed arch on the brick side.
• Under the stone arch, two lions are carved in a simple style, a distinctive feature of this entrance.

🎒Good to know before you go

• See both sides of the gate; the different materials, the arch shapes and the lion carvings can't all be seen from one side.