The Alamut valley lies in the Alburz mountain range, in the north of modern-day Iran, half way between Tehran and the Caspian Sea. The castle is built on a narrow ridge on top of a high rock in the heart of the mountains and dominating an enclosed valley, about 25 kilometres in length. More than 6,000 feet above sea level, the castle lies several hundred feet above the base of the rock, and could only be reached by a narrow, steep and winding path. The approach to the rock was through the narrow gorge of the Alamut river, between perpendicular and sometimes overhanging cliffs.
Ismailimail 
Disappointed by lack of commentary and time to be able to read the names of the Imams. Beautiful photography, though.
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I was in Alamut in 2007 and 2012. You really have to be there to appreciate the importance of this site for the Ismaili of that time. Standing on top of the Rock of Alamut, I can say very confidently that there was no way Halagu Khan could have capture the castle because of its natural defences. The only reason Halagu Khan was able to get to the castle was by permission. Between 2007 and 2012, a lot of restoration have taken place. In 2007, I had also visited Lamasar, Soru (two new castles discovered by Peter Willy) Anjudan, Khak, Mahalat, Dizbad (Ismaili village in the mountains) Furk Castle, Qa’in Castle, Brigand Castle and lots of small Ismaili villages near Brijand. My many thanks goes to three exceptional Ismailis in Iran, namely Nouraddun Haasanijad, Hasan Gholizadeh and Nouraddun Khorasani and of course their families for their “Mahmangheri” (hospitality)
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