1
Imam Square, Isfahan
Isfahan contains some of the world’s most beautiful Islamic monuments. The city’s moment of glory came in the 17th century when the town was made the capital of the Safavid empire by Shah Abbas the Great. At this time some of the most stunning Islamic architecture in the world was created – buildings that, amongst other things, served as the inspiration for the Taj Mahal. The Imam (Shah) Square is the glory of the city and contains the exquisite Masjid-e-Imam (Shah Mosque), the Sheikh Lotfollah Mosque with its stunning coloured tiles, the Ali Qapu Palace, and the Qaisarrieh Bazaar – one of the most exotic in the Middle East.
2
Persepolis
Persepolis is one of the world’s most magnificent archaeological sites. Known as Parsa to the ancient Persians, this site was the ceremonial capital of Iran’s Achaemenian kings from the time of Darius the Great (reign 521 to 485) for more than 200 years until its destruction by Alexander the Great in 330 B.C. Each Spring the representatives from the subject nations of the Persian empire gathered at Persepolis to pay homage and bring tribute to the King of Kings. The existing remains consist of enormous stone columns with elaborate bases; strange capitals representing both powerful and mythical beasts; stone door and window jambs; and facades and staircases, many with fine bas-reliefs.
3
Bridges of Isfahan
Isfahan also boasts some of the most beautiful bridges in the world, among them the Khajou, the Sio-se-Pol and Shahrestan, the oldest of the Isfahan bridges. The bridges span the Zayandeh River which separates Isfahan from the suburb of New Julfa. A walk along the Zayandeh River in the late afternoon, crossing the bridges as you go, is one of the most memorable Iran travel experiences.
4
Old City of Yazd
Sandwiched between two deserts, this isolated oasis town offers the visitor one of the best examples of traditional Iranian mudbrick architecture, and is an undoubted highlight of any visit to Iran. Yazd has always been an important commercial centre on the caravan trail between Western and Eastern Iran and home to a prominent Zoroastrian community. The legacy of this rich mix is unforgettable, and includes Zoroastrian “Towers of Silence”; the distinctive Wind Towers or badgirs which dominate the skyline; and some very beautiful Islamic architecture.
5
Nagash-e-Rostam
Nagash-e-Rostam is the necropolis of the ancient city of Persepolis and home to four giant rock-cut tombs in the shape of Greek crosses which were built to house the remains of Darius the Great and three of his successors. Below the tombs are a number of Sassanian rock-reliefs including one depicting the defeated Roman emperor Valerian kneeling before the victorious Shahpur I (reign 241 to 272 A.D).
6
National Museums, Tehran
The highlight of a visit to the Iranian capital is the opportunity to explore several of its excellent museums, including: the superb Archaeological museum, with its pre-historic and Islamic sections; the Abguineh Glass Museum; the Carpet and Reza Abbassi Calligraphy museums; and the stunning State Jewels of Iran which houses one of the most fabulous collections of treasures in the world.
7
Soltanieh
The small village of Soltanieh was to have been the capital of the great 14thcentury Il-Khanid ruler of Persia, Oljeitu. Almost nothing remains of this city built on the gassy plains of except the king’s stunning egg-shaped blue domed mausoleum - a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The tomb has been described by Professor Pope as ’one of Persia’s supreme architectural achievements’.
8
Bisitun
Bisitun is one of the most famous sites in Near Eastern archaeology. Here, on a smoothed rock face high up on a cliff is a relief showing Darius the Great (reign 521 to 485) facing a line of royal prisoners with his foot on the body of his principal opponent. A trilingual inscription in Old Persian, Akkadian, and Elamite, tells the dramatic story of Darius’ consolidation of power at the start of his reign, and was the “Rosetta Stone” that led to the decipherment of cuneiform script in the 19th century.
9
Chogha Zanbil
The great Elamite ziggurat of Chogha Zanbil is another UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Built by Untash Gal, King of Elam around 1250 B.C., the temple and tomb complex which once rose to 174 feet over 5 platforms, was the focal point of his city of Dur Untashi, and dedicated to the great god Inshushinak. The town was devastated by the Assyrian king Ashurbanipal in 640 B.C and abandoned. Today, Chogha Zanbil is one of the most complete ziggurats surviving in the world, and its remaining 2.5 levels are undeniably impressive.
10
Takht-e-Soleiman
The UNESCO World Heritage Site of Takht-e-Soleiman (Solomon’s Throne) is dramatically located high in the mountains of the Iranian province of Azerbaijan. This immensely impressive site was once a great Sassanian religious centre where the Warrior’s Fire, one of the four most sacred fires of Zoroastrianism, was kept. Following their coronations the Sassanian kings used to make a pilgrimage here on foot to receive divine investiture at the great fire sanctuary. The walls and the remains of 38 towers built around a ’bottomless’ crater lake of intense blue are still standing.