NATIONAL MUSEUM OF IRAN; GATE TO THE PREHISTORY

The National Museum of Iran based in Tehran, aging more than 70 years, is the combination of two museums, the old Muze-ye Irân-e Bâstân (“Archaeological Museum of Iran”, a break, Sasanian revival building), and the modernistic white travertine National Arts Museum (“Mūze-i Honar-i Millī”), inaugurated in 1972. National Museum of Iran is not only the largest museum of History and Archaeology of the country, but ranks as one of the few most prestigious museums of the world in regard to grand volume, diversity and quality of its huge monuments. In the Iranian museum tradition it is considered Iran’s mother museum, aiming at preserving relics of the past to hand down to the next generations, enhancing better understanding among world peoples and nations, discovering and showing Iranian’s roles in shaping world culture and civilization and trying to enhance public knowledge.

a very must-visit place for all types of tastes. you can see the most ancient stuff since Palaeolithic up to Islamic time. gripping models of ancient Shush, first simple houses and even early humans. strongly recommended. Saeedeh A | Tripadvisor  

Architecture of National Museum of Iran

National Museum of Iran consists of two buildings, built one after each other. The first building of the Museum of Ancient Iran with the impressive arch-shaped entrance is a creation of French architects André Godard and Maxime Siroux. The project draws inspiration from Sassanian architecture, uses red bricks and takes an area of 11 000 sq.m. The construction started in 1935, and the museum started operation in 1937. The building of the Museum of Islamic Era, on the other hand, has a modern design, using white travertine and dark colonnades, decorating the entrance. This exposition started working after Islamic Revolution in 1979.

National Museum of Iran is the first choice of travelers, who have interest in archeology and history, and the main museum of Tehran. The exposition of the museum covers the history of Iran from Paleolithic to Qajar period. Thus visitors of the museum can follow up the whole history of Iran – from Stone Age to the 20th century. Due to the location in the center of old part of Tehran, it is easy to include the museum to a daily Tehran tour.

Exposition of National Museum of Iran

Museum of Ancient Iran has a focus on archaeological artifacts and presents the wide range of ancient relics. Accordingly, artifacts come from Shush, Rey, Ismailabad, Persepolis, Turang Tappeh and other places, where pieces of evidence of ancient civilizations were found. The collection includes stone tools, which belong to Stone Age and are more than 30 000 years old. Also here visitors can observe a copy of Babylonian Code of Hammurabi – the world’s first legislation. Probably the most shocking and exciting item of the exhibition – Salt Man from Zanjan. It is a salt-cured mummy, found in a salt mine of Chehrabad. Moreover, there are statues, manuscripts, pottery and other items on the display. Museum of Islamic Era presents pottery, textile, artworks, texts and calligraphy from the post-classical period of Iran’s history. The newest exhibits belong to Qajar Era.

Location of National Museum of Iran

National Museum of Iran is located between Imam Khomeini and Hassan Abad metro stations of the dark blue line. It is the very center of Tehran, where you will find the most popular tourist attractions. In the walking distance from the museum there are City Park and Tehran Peace Museum, Moghadam Museum, Sardar-e Bagh-e Melli, National Jewelry Museum and Golestan Palace. This neighborhood is interesting because of its architecture and is a part of old city.

Amir Chakhmaq Complex

Amir Chakhmaq Complex is including the bazaar, the mosque, the cistern and a tomb, which is usually referred as the symbol of Yazd. Since this Square has always been a gathering place for various ceremonies during history, it is also called the epic square.The date of the Amir Chakhmaq Square returns to the 9th century AH and Timurian time. The square was built by Amir Jalal od-Din Chakhmaq; one of the commanders of Shahrokh Timury with the help of his wife; Seti Fatemeh Khatoon. During the Safavid period, some parts changed and in the early thirteenth century a hussainiyah (A building like mosque) was created instead of the bazaar main entrance. Until the Pahlavi era, people buried their dead in square, but Reza Khan prevented from doing and returned the square to its previous conditions. In the following, we will explain the various sections of this monument.

  Amir Chakhmaq mosque

Amir Chakhmaq mosque, or Dohuk mosque, is the oldest part of Amir Chakhmaq Square, located on its southern side. The mosque has two entrances, one of which is adjacent alley and the other is from the tomb of Siti Fatima. The mosque has two summer and winter seraglio, which is located a windcatcher in summer seraglio for air conditioning. Access to the winter seraglio is possible from both entrances and its light is provided by marble. The ceiling of the mosque is made of arches. In the decoration of the mosque have been used calligraphy on the inscription, tiles, Muqarnas and Eslimi pattern.

  Bazaar & Tekyeh

This bazaar was created by Nezam al-Din Haji Qanbar, the governor of Yazd in the 9th century. It was divided into two parts due to construction in the Pahlavi era, and some parts of it were destroyed. However its northern parts are so active and there are shops like confectionary, Jewelry, fabric store and carpets wholesale that have remained since the nineteenth century. In the thirteenth century, the entrance of the glory was created for the bazaar which is said “Tekyeh “. Tekyeh is a public place in the bazaar with series of booths used for watching mourning ceremonies. The governor watched the ceremonies in the Shah’s house and women in other booths. Amir Chakhmaq Tekyeh contains 8 rows of 2 floors and 3 rows of 3 floors in middle which is higher than other booths and it is decorated with two minarets and beautiful tiles. In the past, the Moazzam were rise to the top of the minarets and said Azan.

  Seti Fatemeh Tomb

Sati Fatima’s Tomb is located in the north of the square and people have a special respect for him. This tomb consist of a room and dome covered with green tiles. The inner covering is made up of plaster and the Moa’raq tiles shine in Muqarnas.

Cisterns

Seti Fatemeh Cistern: is located on the northern side of the square and is made on the orders of Sati Fatima.Haji Qanbar Cistern: is located among bazaar and tekyeh and is made on the order and cost of Nezam al-Din Haji Qanbar. There were four windcatcher on the Cistern, one of which has already been destroyed.

YAZD ATTRACTION

The Zoroastrian Fire Temple in Yazd is the most important Zoroastrian fire temple in the world. It’s been  built about 80 years ago. When the Zoroastrians decided to build a fire temple for themselves, a Zoroastrian Indian, accompanied them to build this fire temple. In India, Zoroastrians are known as “Parseh”, they are the same Zoroastrians who immigrated to India 300 years ago. At the top of the building is the symbol of “Farvahar”, which for Zoroastrians seems like a sign of the Christian cross. The symbol of Farvahar is the image of an old man showing the value that Zarathustra attaches to the elderly. It is said that the fire burning in the fire temple has not been extinguished for about 1600 years. The worshipers are only allowed to enter the room of the fire headquarters. The fire burns inside a large bronze chamber. This fire was brought to Aqda from Larestan and was lit there for about 700 years, then it moved from Aqda to Ardakan and finally to Yazd. He was first transferred to the house of one of the priests and later to the current location of the Zoroastrian fire temple in Yazd.

Pasargadae

Pasargadae is region in 120 km Shiraz, which Iranians and the people of around the world know by Cyrus the Great and Achaemenid rule. Cyrus the Great has chosen Pasargadae as the capital of his government, and according to the Roman historian, caving and the inscriptions of the palace, it can be understood that he ordered to build this area. This complex was registered in 2004 on the UNESCO World Heritage List and includes palaces, Cyrus the great tomb, Cambyses tomb and Mozaffari’s caravanserai.

The tomb of Cyrus the Great

Cyrus is the great king of history who calls him as a wise king and he is popular among all the people of the world. The tomb of Cyrus is the most well-known building in the area and many tourists all around Iran and whole the world come to Pasargadae to visit it. In the past, the tomb of Cyrus was among the royal gardens, and now it remains after 25 centuries. A magnificent and normal building made by limestone which has 6 steps and a room with a sloping roof over it. It should be noted that the construction of this building has not been used any mortar and what is connected the rocks is a special type of clamp, which at that time was a popular technique. There are different opinions about the architectural style of the tomb. Some believe that this style originates from Greek, Minor Asia, Egyptian, Elamite, Middle Rhode and Iranian architecture.

 This room was for the Maintenance of Cyrus body and looted by Alexander’s invasion and then all the objects inside it were plundered. Before Islam the tomb of Cyrus was the coronation of the kings, but this place changed with the Arab invasion of Iran as its name changed to the tomb of the mother of Prophet Solomon. Then the tomb became a holy place where many people came to pilgrimage and so they built a mosque and caravanserai near it.

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The tomb of Cambyses

In the northern part of the Pasargadae palaces there is the Cambyses’ tomb or Alexander’s Prison. There are different opinions about this building, and since only one wall remains, there can be no doubt about its use. However, some scholars attribute it to the tomb of Cambyses, the father of Cyrus, some others believe in Cassandra the wife of Cyrus and some believe that this monument have been the royal or religious treasury of Cyrus.

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The Bar-e Am Palace

The Bar-e Am Palace was the place where the king met and welcomed his guests. In this palace, discussions were held on issues such as freedom, human rights and equality, and it was the kind of first United Nations center. Cyrus’s Cylinder first appeared in this place. The reliefs of this palace are symbolically employed, for example combination relief of human and cattle is a symbol of blessing and the combination relief of man and fish is a symbol of human domination over water.

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Mozaffari Caravanserai

The Mozafari Caravanserai is located near the tomb of Cyrus, which dates back to Al-Muzaffar. The caravanserai has a number of small and large rooms that are used by the Cyrus Castle to build it. Gypsum mortar has been used to connect the rocks, and in some cases even mortar has not been used. The caravanserai is located eastward and behind it.

Dowlat Abad Garden

Dowlat Abad Garden was built at the end of the Afsharieh period as an accommodation for Yazd ruler, Mohammad Taghi Khan Bafghi. At that time the garden was out of town and mass trees created an  pleasant atmosphere and were prevented the mansion being seen from outside. The trees continued at 5 meters and 20 kilometers long and was called “Hezar Derakht” (thousand trees). The urban space grew gradually so that Dowlat Abad Garden was located in the center of the city during the Pahlavi period.For providing water to the garden, one of longest qanat in Yazd were delved at a distance of 65 km, from Mehriz. This qanat plays a key role in the greenery and refreshment of the garden and also used for agricultural lands.Dowlat Abad Garden has used as an accommodation and governmental garden composed of two parts:An outer garden used for government and ceremonial purposes and an inner garden used as a residence and private sector.

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In the following, we will explain the different sections of the outer and inner gardens:

Inner Garden (Andarooni)

Hashti Mansion: This octagonal mansion is the most important building at the end of the garden. In this building, Iranian architects have used the water and climate mechanism to air moderate and condition and for this reason were called summer mansion.

Windcatcher: The Dowlat Abad Garden with a height of 33.8 is the world’s tallest Windcatcher. Below of this octagonal Windcatcher there is a pool when air passes through it, creates the water and climate mechanism and causes coolness around it. Inside the house there is decorating in roof, doors and windows. You can also the garden with fantastic view from the second floor.

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Tanabi Hall is located in west of Hashti Mansion which there is an underground which joins to under of Windcatcher.

Behesht Aein is located opposite of Hashti Mansion. This building is a winter mansion built to the south to sun and make warm. The characteristics of Iranian monuments are four seasons.

Outer garden

A small rectangle with different parts which is located in the northern part of the garden and was used for governmental ritual, inhabitation of caravans and sports events.

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After the death of Mohammad Taqi Khan, the garden was t ruined and despite the repairs that took place it did not return to its previous position. Nonetheless, the Dowlat Abad garden is still shining in the desert like Emerald.

In 2011, Dowlat Abad Garden was registered as one of the Iranian gardens in the UNESCO Organization.

Chehel Sotoun

Chehel Sotoun is one of the ruins of the Safavid dynasty in the city of Isfahan, which is also known as the museum-garden. In fact, this garden is a small part of the Jahannama vast garden that Shah Abbas I created core of the Chehel Sotun palace by creation a palace in the midst of that with small rooms around it.

The main porch is based on twenty pillars. Many researchers recognize the palace’s appellation as a reflection of twenty pillars on a beautiful and large pool. Of course, the role of the number 40 in Persian literature (this number is a sign of plurality) may also be another reason for calling the mansion to be forty pillars.

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This Imperial Garden was used to welcome guests in ceremonies and celebrations. Then, with the start of the Monarchy of King Abbas II, the seventh king of Safavid, the Chehel sotun mansion was enlarged and added forums and porches. These include the Mirror Hall, the Eighteenth Column Hall, Two large north and south rooms. Mirror Hall, the porches on the sides of the king’s hall and the great pool in front of the Hall with all the decorations of painting, mirroring, tiling of the walls and ceilings. The large hall of the palace during the Shah Abbas II have also been the welcome lodges for official meeting. The palace opened in 1056 AH (1642 AD) with the presence of Shah Abbas II and foreign ambassadors.
The architecture of this palace is a combination of Chinese, European, and Persian art and architecture. It consists of a main porch with a length of 38 meters, a width of 17 meters and a height of 14 meters which is made eastward. The pillars of this octagonal porch are wood of plantain and pine. Four pillars are located on four stone lion. From the mouth of these four stone lion, erupted water into the Marble Dock Hall.

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The other part, which is slightly higher, forms the entrance to the hall, and in some respects it is called the mirror hall. It is located on two pillars and is adorned with a wide Mirroring. The ceiling of the hall is made of wooden frames and in various geometric shapes.

The central hall of the palace, dedicated to foreign guests and characters from other countries, contains paintings that present the historical events of different periods. This magnificent hall, which is based on a dome, with colorful and golden designs, are the masterpieces of this era.

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The paintings in the palace central hall which some of them were painted in the Qajar era, include the party of Shah Abbas I and II, and Shahtasmasb with the Turks and India kings, as well as the war of Shah Ismail I with Uzbakan. Two other images, one opposite to the entrance to the hall and the other to it, show the Chaldoran War during the time of Shah Isma’il I and the Karnal War in the era of Nader Shah Afshar.

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Shushtar Historical Hydraulic System

Shushtar is a city in Khuzestan province, southwest of Iran. It’s situated at the foot of Zagros Mountains, about 90 km north of Ahvaz. In most historical periods from Sassanid to Pahlavi, this city was the capital of Khuzestan province. Shushtar owes much of its fame to the Shushtar Historical Hydraulic System located there. This system has been registered in UNESCO’s list of World Cultural Heritage Sites in 2009, referred to “as a masterpiece of creative genius.”

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Shushtar Historical Hydraulic System, inscribed as a masterpiece of creative genius, can be traced back to Darius the Great in the 5th century B.C. It involved the creation of two main diversion canals on the river Kârun one of which, Gargar canal, is still in use providing water to the city of Shushtar via a series of tunnels that supply water to mills. It forms a spectacular cliff from which water cascades into a downstream basin. It then enters the plain situated south of the city where it has enabled the planting of orchards and farming over an area of 40,000 ha. known as Mianâb (Paradise). The property has an ensemble of remarkable sites including the Salâsel Castel, the operation centre of the entire hydraulic system, the tower where the water level is measured, damns, bridges, basins and mills. It bears witness to the know-how of the Elamites and Mesopotamians as well as more recent Nabatean expertise and Roman building influence.

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The Shushtar Historical Hydraulic System demonstrates outstanding universal value as in its present form, it dates from the 3rd century CE, probably on older bases from the 5th century BCE. It is complete, with numerous functions, and large-scale, making it exceptional. The Shushtar Historical Hydraulic System is a homogeneous hydraulic system, designed globally and completed in the 3rd century CE. It is as rich in its diversity of civil engineering structures and its constructions as in the diversity of its uses (urban water supply, mills, irrigation, river transport, and defensive system). The Shushtar Historical Hydraulic System testifies to the heritage and the synthesis of earlier Elamite and Mesopotamian knowhow; it was probably influenced by the Petra dam and tunnel and by Roman civil engineering. The Shushtar hydraulic system, in its ensemble and most particularly the Shâdorvân Grand Weir (bridge-dam), has been considered a Wonder of the World not only by the Persians but also by the Arab-Muslims at the peak of their civilization. The Gargar canal is a veritable artificial watercourse which made possible the construction of a new town and the irrigation of a vast plain, at the time semi-desert. The Shushtar Historical Hydraulic System sits in an urban and rural landscape specific to the expression of its value.

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Criterion (i): The Shushtar Hydraulic System is testimony to a remarkably accomplished and early overall vision of the possibilities afforded by diversion canals and large weir-dams for land development. It was designed and completed in the 3rd century CE for sustainable operation and is still in use today. It is a unique and exceptional ensemble in terms of its technical diversity and its completeness that testifies to human creative genius.
Criterion (ii): The Shushtar Historical Hydraulic System is a synthesis of diverse techniques brought together to form a remarkably complete and large-scale ensemble. It has benefited from the ancient expertise of the Elamites and Mesopotamians in canal irrigation, and then that of the Nabateans; Roman technicians also influenced its construction. Its many visitors marvelled at it and were in turn inspired. It testifies to the exchange of considerable influences in hydraulic engineering and its application throughout antiquity and the Islamic period under the various Iranian dynasties.

Shushtar is one of the oldest and most beautifully decorated tourist attractions in Iran. Shushtar’s water sculptures are one of the oldest places in history. I was excited to see such a system that was built with such an idea in ancient times. A relaxing and beautiful place.

Afsaneseylan

 

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Criterion (v): Shushtar is a unique and exceptionally complete example of hydraulic techniques developed during ancient times to aid the occupation of semi-desert lands. By diverting a river flowing down the mountains, using large-scale civil engineering structures and the creation of canals, it made possible multiple uses for the water across a vast territory: urban water supply, agricultural irrigation, fish farming, mills, transport, defence system, etc. It testifies to a technical culture dating back eighteen centuries serving the sustainable development of a human society, in harmony with its natural and urban environment.

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The integrity of the hydraulic footprint is good, but its functional integrity compared with the original model is only partial and reduced, notably for the dams; it remains good for irrigation and water supply. The authenticity of elements reduced to archaeological remains is certain, but has been affected by 20th century works and materials so far as the civil structures and sites still in use are concerned. Efforts directed to the restoration of attributes that demonstrate authenticity must be pursued.
Management and protection requirements
The components of the management plan are satisfactory, but they need to be improved in terms of the interpretation of the sites and the involvement of the local population.

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Reference: https://whc.unesco.org/en/list/1315

Persian Qanat

The Persian Qanat: Travel to the Mysterious Corridors 

Throughout the arid regions of Iran, agricultural and permanent settlements are supported by the ancient Persian Qanat system of tapping alluvial aquifers at the heads of valleys and conducting the water along underground tunnels by gravity, often over many kilometers. The eleven Qanats representing this system include rest areas for workers, water reservoirs and watermills. There is nothing strange about Qasabeh Qanat of Gonabad, and it may seem that the mystery of this place is a great joke that has brought many people from a distance. But with a little care we understand that what is before us is not just a simple Qanat, like many of the country’s aqueducts, but also the largest, longest and oldest aqueduct of the world. An aqueduct with dark and black corridors that still provides water for the city, but nobody has ever come across. Nobody has any idea of ​​the end of this aqueduct and its only length is 35 kilometers. The aqueducts with a depth of more than 300 meters showcased the blue masterpiece of the world since 2700 years ago.

The Miracle of Persia: Persian Qanat

Astonishingly, the structure of this aqueduct has caused its name to be registered by the Cultural Heritage Organization in 2000 with the number 2963 in the national list of Iran and at the Istanbul Summit on July 24, 1959 in the list of works registered at UNESCO.

Persian Qanats provide exceptional testimony to cultural traditions and civilizations in desert areas with an arid climate.
The Iranians rip the foothills in search of water, and when they find any, by means of Qanats they transfer this water to a distance of 50 or 60 kilometers or sometimes further downstream.

No nation in the world can compete with the Iranians in recovering and transferring groundwater. ‘ITwy make use of groundwater in irrigating their farmlands, and they construct qanats almost everywhere and always succeed in extracting groundwater.

Jean Chardin, 15th and 16th century

Enter to the Water Masterpiece of the World

To enter these corridors, you must trust the stairs and go down deep. The strange and mysterious world of the Persian Qanat brings the corridors of fear for you. The holes on the walls were once home to torch lamps and other lighting fixtures, and today they are falling asleep along the roots of the trees on the wall of the aqueduct. The color is black that looks very much here. The halls, which are only 40 percent available, are unclear what’s going on in 60 percent of the rest! The breeze that flow through the Qanat and the water sound that resonates with the uncovered mysteries of the aqueduct give us a new experience.

Perhaps the words to describe this amazing aquarium are low. The hallways dating back to 2,700 years old, and perhaps the reason why people say the construction of this aqueduct cannot be human work! Perhaps demons have come and made it here and gone!

The Mysteries of Qasabeh Qanat

Throughout Iran, wells and aqueducts have an important role in supplying the water needed by humans. But Qasabeh Qanat is much more intelligent than what you’ve ever seen. What’s in Gonabad is the clever appearance of the combination of wells and aqueducts, which are formed horizontally and vertically and preserved to this day. Two types of wells are dug in this amazing aqueduct. Some are shallow and vertical, and others are deep and steep.

Now imagine how in ancient times, with its limited and basic facilities, and with which calculations such accurate water flows from the depths of the earth to its surface? Perhaps there was a strange force in its makers! Maybe we’re a bit unfair and we’ve underestimated our human and intelligence!

This aqueduct is the most abundant aqueduct in the world, which feeds 150 liters per second.

Visiting Qasabeh Qanat is not just a visit to a Persian Qanat. The journey is a historic one that says its mysteries to you. In each part of the Qanat, intelligence can be seen that the Qanat makers create these corridors. Get good memories during to visit this aqueduct.

Reference: https://whc.unesco.org/en/list/1506

Takht-e Soleyman: A City Full of Treasure + Legend

Takht-e Soleyman Located 45 km northeast of Takab, it is an ancient site that has been building holy structures around it since 1600 years ago. The fifth Bahram Vassan Sassanid built the site as a city and 70 years after it, Ghobad first expanded its buildings until it reached its peak at the time of Khosrow Anoshirvan Sassanid.

The discovery of the signs and remnants of human presence from the first millennium BC to the 11th century AH in this 12-hectare area reveals the mysteries of the city to experts. For a long time, humans used this collection as a habitation, and religious beliefs about it illustrate the importance of the city throughout history.

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Takht-e Soleyman is believed to be the birthplace of Zoroaster, and the construction of Azargoshnasb Fire Temple in this area as the most respected Zoroastrian temple during the Sassanian period can be a confirmation of this belief. This temple was important in the socio-political life of the Sassanids, and its immortal flames were not extinguished for seven centuries, as a symbol of the authority of Zoroastrianism.

Some people believe that the city has been the site of the holy grail of Christ, which he drinks on its last night of life. This cup is famous for the Grail Cup, but no trace of it has been seen on Takht-e Soleyman.
The folk belief of this city is considered to be the location of Solomon’s prophet, and points out that extraterrestrial forces, based on the orders of Hazrat Solomon, built massive structures that human beings cannot afford to create.

This collection was registered in 1316 with the number 318 in the National Iranian Book List. The name of this work is also on the UNESCO World Heritage List.

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Takht-e Soleyman; A City Full of Treasure in the Depths of the Lake

The myths of this mysterious lake are not one in two. There are many stories in many language circles that reveal this phenomenon much more complex than a typical lake. The most famous legend is the existence of countless treasures in the depths of the lake. Endless treasures that have been thrown to the lake throughout history. Stories that have led many to the lake, but it should be noted that access to such treasures does not look so safe.

This legendary city (Takht-e Soleyman) underneath the lake contains many objects with signs of them. It is interesting to know that in none of the historical periods there is no finding of these treasures

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Ring of Solomon the Prophet

The most controversial treasure that may exist on the lake floor is Solomon’s ring. According to folk beliefs, the whole collection of Takht-e Soleyman was made by super powers who Solomon commanded them. He had a ring that took all his power from it. There is a story telling that the Devil was able to reach the ring and put it into the lake to rely on the throne of Solomon. After this incident, Satan sat down on the throne of Solomon. Some believe that Suleiman the prophet never achieved this ring, but there are other interpretations that says that Solomon was able to remove the ring from the stomach of a fish that had eaten it and defeat Satan.

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Treasure Search on Takht-e Soleyman

Efforts have been made to discover this treasure and answer the questions that are there, but the depth of the lake and its deposits are an important obstacle for explorers. It’s as if this treasure trove has a very strong bodyguard, so that nobody has been informed of its secret until this time. Even European explorers came to the lake, but no diving could penetrate more than 31 meters deep into the lake. Water pressure in the lake and heavy and heavy liquids are major obstacles to this.

For the first time, German divers came into the lake. According to their observations, which were later published, a lake was found at a depth of 112 meters. Also, 10 water channels were discovered on the edge of the lake, but due to their large water deposits and their limitation of vision, they could not discover a particular effect in the depths of the water.

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Death, Gift of the Soleyman Lake

Around Takht-e Soleyman, there are several “Banned Swimming” themes, which can indicate that this beautiful lake is also equally scary. In addition to this tranquility, Takht-e Soleyman only serves the without experience guests with death; guests who like to lay their hands on the water of the lake, but do not report the anger within it. This lake brutally swallows every creature that enters it, deep down. Next to this lake, you can see the tomb of some of our compatriots who have gone to the lake and never returned. Of course, the lake returned only a corpse where it was buried there.

The site also has many important symbolic relationships, being associated with beliefs much older than Zoroastrianism as well as with significant biblical figures and legends.

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Zendan-e Soleyman, a Place to Punish Rebellious Demon

An ancient volcano, known as Zendan-e-Soleyman (meaning ‘The Prison of Solomon’) is located about 3km to the west of the site. According to folk legend, this beautiful mountain area is known as Solomon’s Prison or Demon Prison, and they believe that Solomon had imprisoned the demons who disobeyed his command. This name has been placed on this mountain in accordance with the attribution of the site to Prophet Solomon.

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Eram Garden; The entrance gate to paradise

Eram Garden (Baq-e Eram), the Garden of Paradise, is one of the most famous and beautiful Persian gardens in all of Iran. It should be noted that the word ‘Eram’ is the Persian version of the Arabic word ‘Iram’ which means heaven in Islam’s holiest of books, the Qur’an. With its beautiful grounds, lush plant life and aesthetic attractions, it’s easy to see why Eram evokes such a description.

Baq e Eram with their beautiful flowers, refreshing air, aromatic myrtles and towering cypress trees, including one tree which is said to date back to 3000 years ago (Sarv-e naz), the Eram Gardens are a major tourist destination, especially during the spring.

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History of Eram Garden

Although no one is quite sure when construction of the gardens began, historical evidence suggests that the gardens were built during the Seljuk Dynasty (11th-14th centuries) under the rule of one of its most celebrated monarchs, Ahmad Sanjar. Like many other attractions in Shiraz, the Eram Gardens (Baq e Eram) have been restored and repaired by the Zand kings of the Zand Dynasty (1750-1794), but during the later period of the Zand Dynasty, the garden changed hands to a Qashgai tribal chief, Mohammad Qoli Khan.

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Mohammad Qoli Khan ordered the construction of the original mansion that stood on the grounds in the early 18th century, and planted various trees and plants in the garden including pine, orange, cypress and persimmon trees. Later on, during the rule of King Nasser ed-din of the Qajar Dynasty (1785-1925) Mirza Hassan Ali Khan Nasir-al Mulk bought the gardens from the Qashgai tribes and began construction on the present pavilion that now stands in the gardens.

As noteworthy as the gardens themselves, the pavilion was constructed by a local Shirazi architect, one Mohammad Hassan. The beautiful three-story structure was constructed based on the Safavid and Qajar styles of architecture, and includes tiles inscribed with poems from the famed Persian poet Hafez.

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Architecture Styles of  Eram Garden

The tradition and style of Baq e Eram design represented by Persian gardens or Iranian gardens has influenced the design of gardens from Andalusia to India and beyond. The gardens of the Alhambra show the influence of Persian garden philosophy and style in a Moorish palace scale, from the era of Al-Andalus in Spain. Humayun’s Tomb and Taj Mahal have some of the largest Persian gardens in the world, from the era of the Mughal Empire in India.

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Today, Eram Garden (Baq e Eram) and building are within Shiraz Botanical Garden (established 1983) of Shiraz University. They are open to the public as a historic landscape garden. They are World Heritage Site, and protected by Iran’s Cultural Heritage Organization.

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