Sasanian Glory in Firuzabad

Sasanian Glory in Firuzabad

Throughout the history of Fars Province, powerful dynasties have ruled over Central Iran, including Elamites, Parthians, Achaemenids, Sasanians, etc. These governments made Fars Province become an important part of Iran’s history. However, Sassanids and Achaemenids were the main rulers of this region. During the reign of these dynasties, many historical monuments were built, which are now known as the most amazing attractions of Iran. This province has been the capital of the Sassanids for about 400 years. The Sasanians built the most magnificent buildings in this region. World statistics show that the most historical places have been registered for this region.

Ardeshir Babakan (Papakan) Palace

Ardeshir Babkan Palace is one of the most valuable ancient monuments left from the Sassanid era, which has attracted the attention of domestic and foreign tourists with its unique architecture and structure. Ardeshir Babkan Palace was built in the third century AD (in 224 AD) by Ardeshir Babkan, one of the founders of the Sassanid dynasty. Ardeshir Sassanid Palace is located in Firuzabad city in Fars province and dates back more than 1800 years ago. Some experts believe that the palace of Ardeshir Babkan was not used as a palace in the distant past and was originally a fire temple. The reason for this belief is the location of the palace next to the water. Ancestors believed that any building built along with the water was originally a place to worship Anahita, the goddess of water. For this reason, one of the main reasons for naming this palace the Fire Temple of Firuzabad is its location next to the “Qomp Fire Temple ” spring.

The architecture of Ardeshir Palace

Ardeshir Babakan Palace consists of three main parts, which include a courtyard, two porches, and three side halls. This palace has an infrastructure with dimensions of 104 meters by 55 meters. Due to the location of this building beside the river, materials such as tiles, plaster, and semi-hewn stones have been used in its construction to prevent moisture from entering the building. Also, in the construction of the palace, they used Khashikhan (windpipe) to pass the airflow in different parts of the building. Another architectural feature of Ardeshir Babakan Palace is its windowless walls. According to many experts, the Fire Temple of Firuzabad is the first building of the Sasanian era that has a dome, porch, and arch. Another interesting point about the architecture of the building is its strength. Despite the passage of 1800 years, it still stands. Its eye-catching stucco decorations are still visible on its parts.

Different parts of Ardeshir Babakan Palace

Ardeshir Babakan Palace consists of a courtyard, two porches, columns, a dome, and halls around.

The halls

Ardeshir Babakan Palace has three main dome-shaped halls and other halls around the courtyard. The architecture of the halls is such that several halls are placed together and have access to each other. This style of architecture is completely different from other buildings of the Sasanian era. The halls of Ardeshir Babakan Palace have very detailed and elegant plasterwork and decorations that have not been damaged yet.

The porches of Ardeshir Babakan palace

As we mentioned, porches are one of the most important parts of the Ardeshir Babkan mansion. It may be interesting to know that this palace was the first Sassanid mansion that used a porch and a dome in its construction. Many believe that the architecture used in the construction of this palace is entirely Iranian. Ardeshir Babkan’s mansion can be considered a clear example of authentic Iranian architecture.

Ardeshir palace courtyard

A large yard with two porches is located in the middle part of the building. This yard has two relatively large porches. The construction of the courtyard with the porch and numerous halls around it is typical of the Sasanian period.

Columns

In the palace of Ardeshir Babakan, there are square columns and semi-columns made of clove stone, which are connected to the arch. These columns are very similar to the columns of the Parthian period. Of course, around the columns of the palace of Ardeshir Babkan, there are eye-catching stucco moldings that distinguish them from the Parthian columns. The decorations of the cornices of the columns are also similar to those found in Persepolis.

The domes

Ardeshir Babakan Palace has four domes, the uppermost part of which is open with a diameter of one meter. The main dome is installed on the building using the “Philpoosh” or triangular method. “Philpoosh” is a method in architecture that is used to build arches and domes and is still used today. “Philpoosh” is between the two main and intersecting walls at the junction with the dome.

Ghal’e Dokhtar

Dokhtar Castle is a defensive fortress built by the founder of the Sassanid dynasty to protect the first capital of this government, the city called “Gor”, “Ardeshir Khore” or “Far Ardeshir”, and today it is known as “Ancient City of Firouzabad”. He built this city after capturing Kerman and Isfahan. Dokhtar Castle was an obstacle for the enemies to cross the Tangab Valley and reach this city and it was built in 224 AD during his conflict with the last king of Parthians, Ordvan V.

Since this castle was unreachable to everyone, it was called “Dokhtar” (girl) Castle due to its impregnability (the road to the fortress was difficult to pass).

The goddess of waters, Anahita, had a great mythological role in the construction of ancient Iranian castles, and most of the castles were named after girls. Dokhtar Castle of Firouzabad is made of different parts such as a hall, porch, nesting rooms, watch tower, corridor, water tank, central courtyard, and spiral staircase. The main building of Firuzabad Dokhtar Castle, which is considered its residential and royal part, is designed on three levels and in the form of three stair buildings. This building has a rectangular shape with a length of 120 meters and a width of 40 meters. Each of these three sections has a special architecture and is connected to other sections with a spiral staircase. In the highest part and the end part of the palace, traces of a magnificent porch and a hall can be seen, on which remains of a dome remain.

The Petroglyph of ardeshir babakan

The petroglyph of Ardeshir Babakan is one of the petroglyphs of Ardeshir Babakan which is located opposite Dokhtar castle. In this petroglyph, Ahuramazda and Ardashir Babakan are standing in front of each other, and Ahuramazda appoints him as king while giving Ardashir the king’s ring from the altar of fire. Behind Ardeshir’s head, Crown Prince Shapur and two other princes are standing. The motifs are drawn very harmoniously and have a profile view, and their arrangement is similar to the relief of Mehrdad II in Biston.