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Abunasr Palace (Takht-e-Abunasr), Shiraz Six kilometers east of Shiraz, on top of a hill, is a relic of an edifice made of brick and stone. As a result of archeological excavations, these remains have been estimated to date back to the Parthian period but it was also used in the Sassanid period. Probably in the pre-Islamic era Takhat-e-Soleiman or the palace of Abunasr was located where the present city of Shiraz is today. This palace has been registered in the list of National Heritage monuments. Achaemenid Royal Palace, Sarvan Village Opposite the Saravan Village, there are ruins relevant to the Achaemenian Dynasty. The 90 cm. base pillars with the same ornamental engravings of the Takht-e-Jamshid pillars, are scattered around the ruins. The mentioned monuments are the remainders of the Achaemenian Kingdom Palace. Ardeshir-e-Babakan Palace, Marvdasht This rather large monument is made of stone and has three domes with many rooms. The ornaments and carvings on top of the interior doorways are similar to those in Takht-e-Jamshid. This palace has been registered on the list of National Historical Sites. Baq-e-Eilkhani Edifice, Shiraz It dates back to the time of Mohammad Qoli-Khan, a leader of the Qashqei tribe. The garden in which it is located (about 6,000 sq.m.) dates back to the Qajar period. Baq-e-Nazar Pavilion, Shiraz A pavilion that is located in Baq Nazar, a beautiful garden with tall and ancient trees, dates back to the Karim Khan period. There is a charming pavilion built by Karim Khan, known as Kolah Farangi. The ceramic work on the exterior of this building is quite unique. There are paintings by well known artists of the Zand period on the walls. Mirror Palace (Dokhtar Palace), Rastaq Village, Darab This palace is situated 8 km. from the Rastaq Village. Placed in a deep valley, it is surrounded by mountains from the three sides. To the west of the palace is a rim of mountains which have a special luster, in such a way that the image of every thing can be seen on it. The antiquity of the palace belongs to the 3rd century A.D. Pasargadae, Marvdasht This palace is 600 meters to the northeast of the Koorosh (Cyrus) Shrine. The area of this palace is 2,620 square meters and includes a large hall (with eight columns) in the middle and four terraces in four directions and two rooms in the corners. To the east of the palace is Pasargadae, composed of a large hall with eight columns. There is a doorway on the north, east and western side of this hall. In the northern doorway, there is an impression of a winged human with two wings directed towards the sky and two wings to the bottom, whereas the hands are raised towards the sky in a gesture of prayer. This edifice with 3,427 square meters area is located 15 km. northwest of the palace. The main hall has 30 columns made of white stone. A mass of black and white stones have been used as construction material. One of the characteristics of Pasargadae is the canals made of white stone, which were used, for irrigation. There are equally other remains distributed in the province, some registered as national heritage monuments. These include the ruins of the Achaemenian Dynasty (Saravan Village), the Dokhtar Palace (Rastaq Village) dating back to the 3rd century A.D., the restored Sassanid Palace (Sarvestan) dating originally back to the time of Bahram Gour (year 420 A.D.), Ardeshir Babakan Palace (Marvdasht). Persepolis, Marvdasht On top of the rocky mountain of Rahmat in the plain of Marvdasht, the ruins of Takht-e-Jamshid palace are pre-eminent. Construction of these palaces started at the time of Darius I (521 B.C.) and was not completed in less than a period of 150 years. Takht-e-Jamshid is registered as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. The entrance of the complex is formed by a two-ramp stairway composed of 110 rather wide and short steps. On top of the stairways is the main entrance or “The Great Gate”, marked by two statues of a bull with a human head and a pair of wings. There are two exits, one to the south and the other to the east. The south exit or gate connects to the Apadana Palace. Takht-e-Jamshid is 125 thousand sq.m. in area, and is composed of the main sections:
Sassanid Palace, Sarvestan, Shiraz Located 9 km southwest of Sarvestan, it is a large monument made of stone and gypsum. This monument dates back to the Sassanid period and to the time of Bahram-Gour (420-438 A.D.). Mehrnevsi, his well-known minister ordered the construction of this palace. Since 1956, major renovations took place. This monument has been registered on the list of National Monuments of Iran. Other Ancient Palaces and Edifices, Fars The other palaces and edifices include the Kiaros Palace and the Baq Neshat edifice. |
