Persepolis (تخت جمشید)

At the archaeological site of Persepolis the huge palace complex, known as the Throne of Jamshid was discovered in the early 1930's. By the time it was found, the whole place was covered with earth, sand and dust and it took many years to dig it all up. Persepolis was founded in 515 BC to serve as the ceremonial capital of the Achaemenid Empire and it took some 150 years to complete it. The complex was build on a raised plateau and a wall was erected around it. It has grand entrances and it included five palaces.

In 331 BC the whole complex was burnt to the ground by Alexander the Great, although it is not known if this was accidentally, or in retaliation for Xerxes' destruction of Athens. All there is to see nowadays are some ruins, but with the map you will be provided at the entrance and some imagination you can get an idea of what it would have been like in its heyday. Exploration of the site started in the 17th century.

Once you enter the site, the first thing you'll see is Xerxes' Gateway, or the 'Gate of All Nations'. It consisted of a grand hall that measured some 25 x 25 m (82 x 82 ft). It had four large columns. The gate is decorated with inscriptions in Elamite, as well as several other ancient languages.

Further on is the Apadana Palace complex that was built by Darius I. It is a huge building where celebrations took place and visitors were welcomed by the king. Alexander the Great looted most of the gold and silver that was used in the palace. The items he, and others after him, didn't take can be seen in the National Museum in Tehran. The so-called DPh inscription is an inscription made by Darius I, which was found in deposition boxes in the foundations of the Palace. It discribes the extend of his empire. The boxes also contained gold and silver.

One of the largest buildings constructed during Achaemenian times was probably the Palace of 100 Columns, a huge hall that was used as the reception hall for Darius I. It is also knwn as the Throne Hall and it sits right next to the Apadana. It measures 70 x 70 m (750 x 750 ft) and was completed by the end of the 5th century BC. It has 8 stone doorways that are decorated with beautiful reliefs. The norhtern portico was flanked by two large stone bulls.

The Taçara Palace was the home of Darius the Great, although only part of it was completed during his reign. His son Xerxes finished it and named it Taçara, which means 'winter palace' in old Persian. The Taçara Palace was one of the few buildings in Persepolis that were not destructed by Alexander the Great. As a result it is the most intact building in the city today.

The Hadish Palace stands on the highest part of Persepolis. Inscriptions of the palace suggest that it was built by Xerxes. It measures 40 x 55 m and it is connected to the Council Hall by a courtyard and a staircase.

The Council Hall, the Tryplion Hall, the palaces of D, G and H, storerooms, stables and quarters, an unfinished gateway and some other structures at Persepolis can be found at the foot of the mountain, near the terrace's southeastern corner of the terrace, at the foot of the mountain.

There are numerous tombs in Persepolis, where many of the regions kings were buried.

Not far from Persepolis is the Sivand Dam. It was constructed in 2006 and scientists are concerned about the effects the dam has on the surrounding areas of Persepolis. There has even been concern that Persepolis would be flooded. Engineers say this is not possible, as Persepolis sits above the planned maximum height of the lake behind the dam.

Many objects from Persepolis can be found in musea outside of Iran and negotiations on the return of these objects have been ongoing.

Persepolis is 650 km south of Tehran and 60 km northeast of Shiraz. It was inscribed into the UNESCO list of world heritage sites in 1979. Persepolis has bus and taxi connections with Shiraz. Most people stay in Shiraz and visit Persepolis on a day trip.