Persepolis is the highlight and a must-see if you are coming to Shiraz, it’s normally organized on a day trip basis.
Naqsh-e
Rostam, the rock hewn tomb for 4 kings, impressive but couldn't access to them.
Our tour guide couldn’t describe the situation inside the tomb. The main
entrance (stone door) of all 4 tombs could have been destroyed by Alexander the
Great and the treasures had all been stolen (if any, no history record).
Persepolis
(polis means city), 12.5ha area, the ancient palace and ceremony place. Scenic,
but do not see crowded tourists as of Luxor or Athens, proving the glory and
success of Achaemenid Empire. The area was not completely unearthed yet, for
unknown reason. In fact this ancient city was lost for centuries, totally
covered by dust and sand, till extensive excavation in 1930s.
Pasargadae,
its history was dated earlier than Persepolis, begun under Cyrus the Great in
about 546BC. The size of ruins is smaller and most of the tourists skipped this
part. Indeed it sounds like an anticlimax after Persepolis. There were some
ruins under the castle yet to be unearthed.
Naqsh-e Rostam - Tomb of Darius II, Artaxerxes I, Darius I.
Couldn't remember what story of this.
Depicting the scene of the King received his power from God.
Naqsh-e Rostam - Fire Temple (but some said it is a treasury).
Splendid nature.
Persepolis, Grand Staircase.
Xerxes' Gateway (Gate of All Nations).
The Apadana.
The window and door frames are still standing.
The sheer size of grandeur palace can be imagined.
Similar tomb design as in Naqsh-e Rostam.
Depicting the offering of goods and sharing joys during ceremony.
Palace of 100 Columns.
Overview of Persepolis, still large area was not excavated yet.
Beautiful!
The huge stone blocks were placed as such so that the palace would look flat on the hill slope.
Pasargadae, ruins of the castle on hilltop.
Pasargadae - Fire Temple.
The ruins are not as impressive as Persepolis. Mainly lower parts (stone) remain, because the upper parts constructed by woods had been burned down.
Some stones were removed in later era for the construction of Caravanserai and Mosque.
Caravanserai.
