Persepolis (Takht-e Jamshid)

Persepolis, known as Parsa during the Achaemenid era, is a complex of several interconnected palaces located beside the Marvdasht plain, at the foot of Mount Rahmat in Fars Province, north of Marvdasht County. Known in Western languages as Persepolis, this historic site is regarded as one of the most important historical monuments in Iran. It was renamed several times for various reasons throughout history, and in the Islamic period it was known as "Sad Sotun" (Hundred Columns) or "Chehel Minar" (Forty Minarets). Persepolis is a symbol of the splendour and grandeur of ancient Iran and a legacy of the Achaemenid kings from 2,500 years ago. In the Achaemenid period it was the imperial capital of the Achaemenid Empire, and construction and expansion began under Darius the Great, Xerxes and Artaxerxes I.

Construction of Persepolis began in 518 BC on the orders of Darius the Great. Under his son Xerxes and his grandson Artaxerxes I, further buildings were added, and the complex became one of the largest and most sophisticated architectural structures of ancient Iran. When Persepolis served as the ceremonial capital of the Achaemenids, representatives of different nations from across the Achaemenid Empire came here on the first day of the new year to present their gifts and tributes to the king. Besides being a cultural and political centre, Persepolis provides us with a great deal of historical and cultural information about the Achaemenid era through its various stone inscriptions and clay tablets, carved on walls and slabs. Persepolis was set on fire by Alexander the Great in 330 BC, yet its ruins still survive as an important historical monument. The complex has been on the UNESCO World Heritage List since 1979 and is considered one of Iran's outstanding tourist and archaeological attractions. Nearby is Naqsh-e Rustam, where the tombs of Achaemenid kings such as Darius the Great, Xerxes, Artaxerxes I and Darius II are located.

Persepolis is also known as a cultural and historical treasure, with numerous inscriptions from different periods of Iranian history, including the Sasanian and Qajar periods. Although large parts of Fars Province have a warm climate, this area near Marvdasht has a cool, mild climate because it lies in a mountainous setting. Visiting Persepolis in the hot seasons of the year can be unpleasant, because the site is open and exposed to direct sunshine. The best time to visit Persepolis is the second half of the year (autumn and winter), and you can also visit until the end of Farvardin (April). To explore the historic site, it is best to go in the early hours of the day, or in the afternoon once the air has cooled down. In the cold seasons, the Persepolis site and its surroundings become very cold after sunset, so bring suitable clothing.