Bam is a city in Kerman Province, Iran. The modern Iranian city of Bam surrounds the Bam citadel. There are various opinions about the date and reasons for the foundation of the citadel. Economically and commercially, Bam occupied a very important place in the region and was famed for its textiles and clothes. The ancient citadel of Arg-e Bam has a history dating back around 2,000 years ago, to the Parthian Empire, 248 BC-224 AD, but most buildings were built during the Safavid dynasty. In particular, the city is known for its dates and citrus fruit, irrigated by a substantial network of qanats. The city also benefited from tourism, with an increasing number of people visiting the ancient citadel in recent years.