Historical Sites and Attractions

Persepolis, a legacy of the Achaemenid kings from 2,500 years ago, was established in 518 BC in Iran. The ancient site of Persepolis is located northeast of the city of Shiraz in Marvdasht.

Persepolis is recognized worldwide as a symbol of Persian civilization. The remaining columns, capitals, inscriptions, bas-reliefs, palaces, and gates in the Persepolis complex are considered some of the most famous artifacts of civilization in the world.

The construction of Persepolis, which was initiated by Darius the Great, involved numerous architects and artists, and these monumental buildings were constructed by both male and female workers. According to the inscriptions available, the construction of Persepolis took approximately 120 years. In 1979, Persepolis was registered as the second historical and cultural site in Iran on UNESCO’s World Heritage List.

Yazd is regarded as the first earthen city in the world and the second historical city globally. The historic city of Yazd boasts a global heritage and unique attractions, earning it the title of the first registered Iranian city on the UNESCO World Heritage List and the second historical city in the world. The origins of this desert city date back to the third millennium BC.

One of the most notable features of Yazd is the distinct architecture of its historical buildings and earthen houses, which is a response to the hot and arid climate of the region. In the old textures of Yazd, the architectural style includes covered passages and alleys, with all rooftops interconnected. The tallest minarets in Iran belong to the Jameh Mosque of Yazd, and the first safe deposit box in the world was built in this city around 1,700 years ago.

Pasargadae in Shiraz is the tomb of Cyrus the Great. In 529 BC, Cyrus’s last campaign to the east ended with his death and that of many soldiers. His body was transferred to Pasargadae in Shiraz, mummified, and placed in a golden sarcophagus in a specially built tomb made of white limestone.

The private palace of Cyrus is another structure within the Pasargadae complex, located northwest of Cyrus’s tomb. This palace features a central hall, two iwans on the west and east, and two large open iwans on the north and south.

On the southern wall, one of the oldest cuneiform inscriptions can be found. This inscription is written in three languages: Old Persian, Elamite, and Babylonian, stating: “I am Cyrus, the King of the Achaemenids.”

Golestan Palace in Tehran is one of the governmental residences of the Qajar dynasty, holding numerous secrets within its walls. The history of Golestan Palace dates back to the time of Shah Abbas I of the Safavid dynasty. The Qajar dynasty chose Tehran as its capital in 1172, leading to the construction of Golestan Palace, a luxurious complex of 17 large structures surrounding a garden.

Inspired by European architecture, Iranian artists designed this palace, making it the first architectural structure in Iran built in a blend of Iranian and European styles. With a historical age of 442 years, the Golestan Citadel remains one of the most unique and renowned historical complexes in Iran.

The palace features some of the finest examples of tile work, depicting themes such as hunting, mythology, romance, and feasts.

Tabriz Bazaar, covering an area of about one square kilometer, is the largest traditional covered bazaar in the world. In 2010, Tabriz Bazaar was registered as the first bazaar in the world on UNESCO’s World Heritage List.

Factors such as the architectural style of the bazaar, the arrangement of shops, the abundance of timchehs (domed spaces), caravanserais, corridors, and various trades and professions, along with numerous historical schools and mosques, have made this bazaar an excellent example of trade, commerce, and Islamic Eastern life. Most timchehs and caravanserais in the bazaar consist of three floors: the lower level for storage, the second for trade and work, and the third for rest and comfort.

From the second half of the 13th century, English merchants transported their goods to Tabriz Bazaar via the Silk Road. By the time of Abbas Mirza, this bazaar had become the center of English trade.

Azadi Tower is the first symbol of Tehran, the capital of Iran. Constructed between 1969 and 1971 to commemorate the 2,500th anniversary of the Persian Empire, it was originally known as Shahyad Aryamehr Tower and was renamed Azadi Tower after the Islamic Revolution.

Azadi Tower is 63 meters long and 45 meters high and consists of four floors. The construction used 25,000 pieces of marble and 900 tons of iron. The main doors of the tower are made of granite, and the stones of the ground floor and the tower’s floors were extracted from the Morvarid mine.

The area beneath the tower houses a gallery, a knowledge hall, an Iranology hall, a museum, a library, and more. Azadi Square and Tower represent a blend of Achaemenid, Sassanian, and Islamic architecture, with the elliptical arch of the tower symbolizing the Taq Kasra, and the turquoise tiles from the Safavid era and the grooves at the top of the tower inspired by the windcatchers of Yazd.

The Si-o-Se Pol, measuring 298 meters in length, was built during the reign of Shah Abbas I of the Safavid dynasty between 1599 and 1602. This structure has served both as a bridge and a dam, and it continues to be used for these purposes today.

There are covered arches on both sides of the bridge; one side overlooks the river while the other faces the middle of the bridge, creating a narrow, covered passageway on both sides. The arches of the bridge are supported by columns that stand 7 to 9 meters high, making them very sturdy. Initially, the bridge had forty arches, but seven of them have been blocked, leaving a total of 33 arches, which is why it is known as the 33-Arch Bridge.

The historic Bam Citadel is a national heritage site in Iran, located in the southeastern province of Kerman in the city of Bam. Before the earthquake in 2003, it was the largest adobe structure in the world. The first human settlements in this area date back to the Achaemenid period.

The core of the city of Bam was constructed during the Parthian era. The fortifications and new walls were built between 224 and 637 AD. The architecture of the Bam Citadel was originally designed as a stronghold against enemy attacks to ensure public security. Its elevated position on a hill, along with towers, walls, hidden pathways, and a military command center at the summit, were all aimed at making access difficult for enemies and enhancing defensive capabilities.

The Bam Citadel features 29 tall watchtowers, trapezoidal openings, and four large gates, along with four walls to protect the inhabitants from enemy invasions.

Milad Tower is a telecommunications tower located in the northwest of Tehran. Standing at 435 meters, it is the tallest tower in Iran and the sixth tallest telecommunications tower in the world. Due to its height and distinctive appearance, Milad Tower is visible from almost everywhere in Tehran, making it one of the symbols of the capital alongside Azadi Tower.

Construction of the tower began in 1997 and took 11 years to complete. Milad Tower has 12 floors. The 11th floor, known as the Sky Dome, features a glass dome that is 13 meters high, and artistic works have been installed on the octagonal walls at its center. This collection of artworks is based on symbols, myths, and ancient narratives of the Iranian land, reflecting the evolution of the culture and civilization of Iranians over nine thousand years, from the era of the great Persian Empire to the present day.