Pasargadae; the Emanation of Power

Pasargadae Shiraz

The World Heritage site of Pasargadae is considered as the wonderful testimony to Achaemenid civilization in Persia. Glory and honor are apparent to the visitors as it also reflects the greatness of the king and the history that he made. For those who like history and architecture, it is one of the best sites to visit. It is better to have background knowledge about its historical context and then watch its historical beauties. That moment is the best time to feel its worthiness.

The arrival of Persians is one of the most critical issues in ancient history. When Persians got powerful, they founded an empire which included the ancient world except for some parts of Greece. The Achaemenid Empire was not the first Iranian empire, but it was the first multicultural one in Western Asia.

Before them, the Medes governed the country for a short time. Cyrus the Great was the first king of the empire who pronounced the declaration of the rights of man. He singled out Pasargadae as being his capital. This place is a collection of palaces, gardens and the tomb of Cyrus the Great which creates an important structure that demonstrates the art and the architecture of Achaemenid. These buildings were constructed far from each other, but they created an assemblage.

The Achamaenid was a vast empire which was extended from the eastern Mediterranean and Egypt to the Hindus River in India. The house of Achaemenid kings was erected on the order of Cyrus the Great. Pasargadae, the first capital of the Achaemenid Empire, is located near Shiraz, 42 kilometers far from Persepolis. It is located in a semiarid area where it drizzles in winter and the summer the weather is hot. For the tourists who decide to tour Iran, Pasargadae would be one of the places to visit and enjoy. There were palaces, gardens and the mausoleum of the Cyrus the Great in Pasargadae from which some parts of Tall-e-Takht and a royal ensemble of the gatehouse, audience hall, and residential palace remain.

The construction of the main palaces started when Cyrus the Great captured the territories of the Medes and Persia. Like Persepolis and Shoush castles, there is some embossment of legendary animals with human heads guarding the palace in Pasargadae. On the two sides of the main gates of the hall, there are also some embossments which demonstrate the king and his servants carrying something.

The tomb of Cyrus the Great is the most important part of Pasargadae which catches the visitor’s attention. This is the mausoleum of the first harbinger of the freedom and rights of man. The tomb is a simple but a great small room which is stood on six stone floors. Each of the stories is smaller than the lower level. After passing through the platforms, you reach a little and a narrow door. Architecturally, this tomb is comparable with Chogha Zanbil. In ancient times, the tomb of Cyrus the Great was located in a beautiful garden, however, nowadays there are not many trees around it, and nothing remains except some small parts.

Pasargadae remains unchanged from the beginning. Its general plan and buildings have not changed, and the remaining parts are authentic. If you are a fan of history, art, beauty, and architecture, do not miss this marvelous place.

 

Shiraz, the capital of the largest empire the world has ever seen

Persepolis

The Iranian that hears the name of Shiraz gets an excellent feeling of calm and romance, because of it being the city of poems such as Hafez and Saadi. City of culture and Gardens, Shiraz is indeed a city that should never be missed from one’s Iran trip itinerary.

Persepolis the Capital of Persia

Located 60 kilometers to the north of Shiraz is the World Heritage Site of Persepolis (Takht-E-Jamshid), which used to be the glorious capital of many Persian dynasties. Persepolis was used as a place for gathering and celebrations of significant events like Nourooz. It is also known as Parse and Hezar Sotun (Tausend Pilar). There used to be several palaces at this complex. Apadana, which is amongst the oldest palaces, Tachar, which translates to winter house, can be seen as a museum of calligraphy. Hadish, the private palace of the king, was named after his wife, queen’s palace, used today as a museum and the center of administration for the complex, Sad-Sotun (hundred columns) and Shora which was probably used by the king as the place for meeting. Shiraz is the capital of the largest empire the world has ever seen.

Pasargadae, the tomb of Cyrus the Great

Pasargadae, another World Heritage Site, situated at the heart of Pars, the first ever capital of kings, has numerous palaces built in it by the king’s order. Gardens and fountains were made at the time too, after Darius the great, this place was used as a holy place and also for crowning the kings.

Shiraz; the city of Roses and love

Shiraz is called as the city of flowers and gardens by many Iranians; the Eram Garden as one of the Persian gardens inscribed in the UNESCO World Heritage list is an ancient and historical garden in Shiraz, it comprises a royal villa set in the grounds. It used to be the king’s favorite relaxing place. There is a building in the garden and despite being small, is magnificent, and there a reflecting pool in front of the house. The garden makes good pavement for relaxation.

Traditional merchandise and handicrafts

The Vakil complex, which consists of a mosque, a bathing house, and a bazaar, was built by Karim Khan Zand’s order. This enormous bathing house has the most advanced architectural methods of its time. Vakil Bazaar is one of the most famous traditional and historical markets of Iran. It is most famous for carpets, but also handmade artifacts made by the locals can be bought from here too. At the site of the Vakil mosque, there is an inscription which has Fathali shah and Hossein Ali mirza’s name on it.

The land of poets 

Aramgah Hafez (Hafez mausoleum) is the resting place of the great poet Hafez. His marble tombstone has carvings of his poems; the site has eight stone columns beneath a tiled dome. What should be the fun activity of this place is performing the FaaleHafezz, which is seeing your future by opening a volume of Hafez.