Perspolis

PERSEPOLIS

Persepolis or Takht-e Jamshid (the Throne of Jamshid) was the ceremonial capital of the Achaemenid Empire and located near Shiraz, Fars Province, Iran . Perspolis was founded by Darius I at the foot of Kuh-e Rahmat (Mountain of Mercy) in south-western Iran, 518 BC.It is located about 50 km northeast of city of Shiraz in Fars province.

Persepolis has always been a unique archaeological site due to the significance and the quality of its ruins. The palace complex in Persepolis was inspired by Mesopotamian models and raised on an immense terrace where a series of architecturally stunning palatial buildings were erected. The Apadana Palace of Persepolis and the Throne Hall with one hundred columns, also called “The Hundred-Column Hall” are among them.
Persepolis is a unique example in all fields of architecture, urban planning, construction technology, and art in ancient Persia. It represents one of the most ancient civilization in the world. It was mainly designed as the outstanding center of receptions and festivals of the kings and their empire, but, it was later the seat of government of the Achaemenid Empire. UNESCO declared the ruins of Persepolis a World Heritage Site in 1979. The location, setting, materials and design in archeological ruins of Persepolis are all authentic and antique. Even the restoration works have respected this element well with an excellent coordination of modern technology and authenticity.

NAGHSHE RUSTAM & NAGHSHE RAJAB

About 12 km northwest of Persepolis, there in an ancient Necropolis called Naghshe Rustam which is the place for Ancient Tombs of Powerful Persian Kings dating back to the first millennium BC. In this site, there are four large tombs cut high into a cliff overlooking a plain encircled by mountains. The tombs of Darius the Great, Xerxes 1st, Arta-xerxes1st, and Darius 2nd are here. There is also a Zoroastrian fire temple called “The Cube of Zoroaster”.
Naghshe Rajab lies less than a kilometer away from Naghshe Rustam and the site for four limestone rock face inscriptions. Both sites are part of the Marvdasht cultural complex and the tentative candidates for UNESCO World Heritage status.

PASARGADAE

Pasargadae is located about 40 km northeast of Shiraz (140 km away from Shiraz). It was the earliest capital of the Achaemenid Empire. The city was created by Cyrus the Great, the founder of Achaemenid Empire and the first Persian Empire. Pasargadae covers an area of 160-Ha and represents some of the earliest manifestations of Persian art and architecture. This sites includes a structure widely believed to be the Tomb of Cyrus, the fortress of Tall-e Takht, and the remains of two royal palaces and gardens. The “Four Gardens” type of Pasargadae represents the earliest known example of the Persian Chahar Bagh (Four Gardens) and became a prototype for Western Asian architecture and design. The most important monument in Pasargadae is the tomb of Cyrus the Great which has similar design to Mesopotamian Ziggurats. In 2004, UNESCO inscribed Pasargadae in its World Heritage List.