Archaeological area Takht-E Soleyman

Unesco's Scientific, Educational and Cultural Organization has recognized Iran's Takht-E Soleyman Archaeological Site as a Cultural Heritage in 2003.

Archaeological sites Takht-E Soleyman is located in a valley which is a volcanic eruption area in northwestern Iran . In this archaeological area there are notable buildings including temples and palaces. This heritage is symbolic and is a place of worship of gods related to fire and water - the main elements that serve the lives of the ancient people. The center of the archaeological site has a lake about 60 meters wide, on the shores of the lake is the Zoroastrian fire temple and the Temple of the Anahita with the royal palace .

In the 3rd century BC, when Takht-E Soleyman was under the control of the Sassanid dynasty , the area continued to expand. A huge wall was built to encircle the buildings and also a protection system.

In the 6th century, several buildings were built such as Khosrow-Anushrivan - large temples and accommodation to serve a large number of pilgrims to Takht-E Soleyman. Khosrow II continued to expand in the early 7th century. In the early 7th century, after the Romans defeated Khosrow II, they began plundering and destroying Takht-E Soleyman as well as the Fire Adur Gushasp temple . Beginning around this time, the number of pilgrims coming here began to subside until the place was sunk into oblivion and deserted.

The archaeological site of Takht-E Soleyman with the remains and artifacts was recognized as a World Cultural Heritage in 2003 by Unesco.

In the 13th and 14th centuries, the Mongols poured into this area and Takht-E Soleyman was restored in a short time. The time to be restored and used again is not long, but during this period, many houses and public buildings were built. After the new construction works were completed and the old buildings were restored after a long period of abandonment, the site was reused once more and it continued to exist for the next few centuries. . However, never, this area can flourish as in the Sassanid era . Until the 17th century, after four centuries since the Mongols came to this place, this place once again sank into oblivion and was abandoned.

It was not until the beginning of the 20th century that Takht-E Soleyman began to be noticed by Western scholars and conducted research and excavation.

Typical architectural works, though partially or completely destroyed, only the foundation part is enough to prove a period of prosperity and development in this area.

Archaeological area Takht-E Soleyman is recognized by Unesco under the criteria (i), (ii), (iii), (iv), (vi)

Criterion (i): Archaeological site Takht-E Soleyman is a prominent royal architectural complex created during the Sassanid period

Criterion (ii): Composition and architecture in the Takht-E Soleyman Archaeological Site created during the Sassanid period created a strong influence not only in the development of religious architecture and in the foundations as well. other culture.

Criterion (iii): Archaeological site Takht-E Soleyman is a special testament to the worship of natural gods for a long time.

Criterion (iv): The archaeological site of Takht-E Soleyman is also a prominent example in the overall Zoroastrian sanctuary, among which the structures built here can be considered as perfect prototypes. .

Criterion (vI): Archaeological area Takht-E Soleyman is a serious and important area that is related to one of the world's first monotheistic religions. The religious works here are testimony to ancient beliefs that are extremely important and have great historical value.