The Land of Persepolis and Pasargadae
Fars or Pars is a vast land located southwest of Iran. All over in this province you can see and feel the glory of Ancient Iranian culture and civilization. In no other land within Iran, we can find a place that shows the course of Iranian culture and civilization as clearly as Pars. there are many monuments from prehistoric to the Islamic era within this province. the center of Fars is the city of Shiraz; you may have heard about its beautiful gardens. you have probably also heard of two famous poets of Shiraz: Hafez and Saadi. If you visit this province you will be fascinated by the glory of great ancient Persian civilization.
Takht-e Jamshid (Persepolis)
Known as Persepolis to the Greeks, the site contains ruins of the ceremonial capital of the Achaemenes empire. This Unesco World Heritage Site is one of the most glorious historical complexes of Iran and the world. The structure was established at the foothills of Rahmat mountain in the plain of Marvdasht as the capital city of the Achaemenid empire by Darius I in 515 BC.
This structure has an area of 12,5000 square meters and is made of stone. some of the features of Takht-e Jamshid (Persepolis) include the Gate of all nations, Apadana Palace, throne hall, the tomb of King of Kings, an incomplete palace, and Takht-e Jamshid treasury.
Naghsh-e Rostam (Necropolis)
This is one of the most important and beautiful archaeological sites in Iran. The oldest relief at Naqsh-e Rostam is severely damaged and dates to 1000 BC. It depicts a faint image of a man with unusual head-gear and is thought to be Elamite in origin. Four tombs belonging to the Achaemenid kings are carved out of the rock face. They are all at a considerable height above the ground. The tombs belong to Xerxes, Darius the Great, and Darius II. seven oversized rock reliefs at Naqsh-e Rostam depict monarchs of the Sassanid period. These include the investiture relief of Ardeshir I, the triumph of Shapur I over the Roman Emperor Valerian, and Philip the Arab, the investiture relief of Narseh, and reliefs of Bahram II and Hormizd II. Naqsh-e Rostam is situated a few hundred meters away from another important archaeological site called Naqsh-e Rajab.
The mausoleum of Cyrus the great (Pasargadae)
The mausoleum of Cyrus the great is located outside shiraz in a place called Dasht-e Murghab. This mausoleum has a square structure, with a sloping roof on top of a six-layer platform made of white stones.
Karim Khan Citadel
Called Arg-e Karim Khani in Persian, the structure was the royal palace of the Zand dynasty in Shiraz. It is made of bricks and high walls surround it. On each side of the citadel, towers are bearing unique designs on the outer walls. On the portal of the entrance, the vanquishing of Dive-e Sepid (White Devil) at the hand of the legendary hero Rostam is illustrated using seven-colored tiles.
The statute of Shapur I
The statue of king Shapur i is carved in a cave in Choogan strait. It is 7 meters high, 2 meters wide at the shoulder, and 3 meters wide where arms separate from the body.
Sarvestan Palace
This palace which is one of the most wonderful palaces of the Sassanid era is located 9 kilometers southeast of Sarvestan town in the middle of a vast plain. This structure belongs to the second half of the Sassanid era and some historians believe it was the palace of Mehr Nersi, a vizier to Bahram v. this palace has a more complex plan compared to other structures of the Sassanid era.
Bishapur City
the historical city of Bishapur lies 25 kilometers from Kazerun. this city was built by King Shapur I of the Sassanid dynasty in 266 CE. It consists of palaces, temples, stone tablets in Pahlavi script, and many other structures that have been excavated by Iranian and French archeologists.
Eram Garden
Bagh-e Eram is one of the most beautiful gardens in Iran. It is located in the city of Shiraz. There are different types of flowers and plants in this garden. The garden traces its history to the Seljuk era and was much enlarged during the subsequent years. It is today still the property of Shiraz university and is open to the public as a museum, protected by Iran’s Cultural Heritage Organization.
Mausoleum of Hafez
Hafez (1325/26-1389/90 Ce) is one of Iran’s most prominent poets and mystics. His lyrics are still among the most-read and most-cited Persian poems. His poetry is characterized by the love of humanity, contempt for hypocrisy and mediocrity, and an ability to universalize everyday experience. His tomb is located north of Shiraz in an area called Hafezieh which consists of two courtyards. Hafez tomb is located in the northern courtyard in the center of a garden. Many other famous poets, mystics, and scientists are buried next to his tomb.
Mausoleum of Saadi
Saadi (1213-1291 CE) is one of the greatest Iranian poets and authors. A native of Shiraz, he spent many years of his life traveling around the world. his most famous books are Bustan and Golestan. his tomb is located in an area called Tange Saadi, a beautiful garden surrounds his tomb. It has been renovated by later Kings and rulers.
The gate of the Qur’an
It is one of the most famous structures of shiraz which is located west of Tehran- Shiraz road. The gate was renovated during the time of Karim Khan Zand. On each side of the gate, some rooms have been built as accommodation for the guards and travelers. Another room was built above the portal and a hand-written Quran has been placed there, as it is believed that travelers who pass beneath the Quran would safely return home.
Anahita Temple
The ancient temple is a remnant of the Sassanid era. it is located in the town of Bishapur. The temple was built under the ground using cubic stones. it was dedicated to Anahita, the lady of waters in Iranian mythology.
Shah-e Cheragh Holy Shrine
The holy shrine is the tomb of Shah-e Cheragh, imam Musa Kazem’s son who immigrated to Shiraz in the 9th century CE and passed away there. in the time of Atabak Sa’d ibn Zangi, a tomb and a dome were built on his grave. The complex has been renovated by the kings and the rulers of Shiraz during different periods of Shiraz’s history.
Bustanak Strait
Also called Behesht-e Gomshodeh (the lost Paradise), the strait is located in a beautiful valley northeast of kāmfirooz plain in the outskirts of Marvdasht and Sepidan cities. This valley is full of willows and plane trees. it is close to Doruzan dam, Margun falls, Boragh strait, Sheshpir spring and Ranj castle, these resorts have added a lot to its beauty.
Lake Parishan
This lake is located 12 kilometers from the city of Kazerun near the village of Ayaz Abad. Four spring flows to this lake. The lake has an area of 263 square kilometers with an average depth of 2 meters. This lake is a natural habitat for local and migrating birds. It is also a perfect resort for travelers.
Lake Maharlu
This lake with a surface area of 600 square kilometers is located 27 kilometers southeast of Shiraz. The water in this lake is very salty, cooking salt is obtained through special processes by local people. This area is a suitable habitat for different kinds of birds and animals.
Margun Waterfalls
These falls originate from the Kamhar River and are surrounded by forests that have created beautiful, fascinating sceneries. It is located near the town of Sepidan. The name of the waterfall means ‘snake-like’ in Persian, perhaps referring to the shape of the flow of water. It is one of the most beautiful waterfalls of Iran.
Historical Attractions:
Sassanid Palace in Abadeh, Izadkhast in Eghlid, Mehrak, Khurshe, and Ghabr Palaces in Jahrom, Rostam and Shapur portraits, Azarakhsh, Azarju, and Hakhamanesh Fire temples in Darab City, Golshan, Eram, Delgosha, Chehel tan, Haft Tan, Jahan Nama, Takht, Saadi, and Hafez Gardens, Abu Nasr Castle, and Arg-e Karim Khani Citadel, Bagh Ilkhani, Bagh-e Neshat, and Bagh-e Nazar foundations, Ejdaha Peykar Castle, Neshat and Vakil traditional baths, Vakil and Bazar-e no markets, Khan and Aghbaba Khan schools, Pasargadae and Samikan in the city of Shiraz, Zahak Castle in Fasa, Kenar Siah, Sassanian, and Farashband Fire temples, Sassanid caravanserais and Ghaleh Dokhtar in Firuzabad, Shapur portrait and Bishapur Ancient City in Kazeroon, Ghadamgah Castle in Lar, the ancient city of Estakhr and Takht-e Jamshid (Persepolis) as well as Tang-e Baraghi tablets and Naghsh-e Rajab in Marvdasht, Fahlian ancient bridge and Portrait of Bahram in Mamasani are amongst the most important monuments of Fars Province.
Cultural Attractions:
Followings are the most important cultural attractions of Fars Province: Stone Mosque and Friday-Prayer Mosque, Shahzadeh Abolghasem, and Shah Abuzakaria Graves in Darab City, Tahghigh, Shohada, and Nasir Olmolk Mosques in Shiraz, Iron-Door holy shrine in Mamasani.
Natural Attractions:
Basiran and Tut Siah no hunt districts in Abadeh, Bardaneh and Timbered Park in Estahban, Kaftar lake and Balangan, Ghadamgah, Choau, and Mohammad Rasulullah springs, Dashtak Abarj beautiful waterfall in Eghlid, Buniz esplanades in Jahrom, Junjan, Tanglay, Zangan, and Ab Band Promenades in Darab, Sepidan spring, Tang Tizab, Chellehgah esplanades and ski site in Sepidan, Maharlu and Arjan lakes, Khargan Varchi springs, Cheshmeh Fili, Cheshmeh Salmani, Barem Volek, Chah Meski Mian Katal, and Band Bahman esplanades and Bamou national Park in Shiraz City, Mian jangle esplanades in Fasa, Atashkadeh, Tangab, and tang Khergeh springs, and Shahid esplanade in Firuz Abad Parishan charming lake in Kazerun, Hermudelar preserved area, Abolmahdi and Bonab springs and Margun Waterfall in Marvdasht, and Deymeh Mil Promenade, and Sarab Bahram hot spring in Mamasani.