Day 1 

• Pasargad 
• Great Cyrus’s Mausoleum
• Pasargad Royal Garden 
• The Palace for Public Reception
• Darvazeh Palace

Pasargad

Needed equipment: comfortable shoes; depending on the visiting time, in warm weather, a light and cool outfit and in cold weather, a suitable warm clothing are recommended; a compact camera, a light meal and enough 

Pasargad closing days: official mourning holidays.

Located in Pasargad region of Fars Province, the World Heritage Pasargad Complex consists of ancient constructs, dating back to the Achaemenid Empire. This complex includes the Great Cyrus’s tomb, the Royal Garden of Pasargad, Darvâzeh (Gate] Palace, a bridge, the Palace for Public Reception, the Private Palace, two pavilions, the waterscapes of the royal garden, Cambyses’s tomb, the defense structures of Tal-e Takht, Mozafari Caravansary, the holy area and Balaghi Strait. This building complex is in fact the fifth site in Iran, registered on the list of UNESCO world Heritage.

Great Cyrus’s Mausoleum

The mausoleum of Cyrus the Great actually belongs to Cyrus II, the Achaemenid king, who holds the epithet of Cyrus the Great. Although this monument is void of any garnishes, it enjoys a unique architectural quality. The mausoleum is located at a one kilometer distance to the southwest of Pasargad palaces, and detectable from all the four cardinal points of Dasht-e Morghab. In particular, when advancing the site from the southwest direction and through the old road, entering the plain from Balaghi Strait, the first thing to draw attention is the mausoleum of Cyrus the Great. It is the only monument the description of which could be found in many Greek sources.

Pasargad Royal Garden

The Iranian Garden of Pasargad is one of the sections in Pasargad complex, and serves the origin for the architecture of Iranian gardens. Based on historical records, during the time of construction, Cyrus the Great had personally instructed how they should build the garden and plant the trees. In other words, the geometrical design of the garden and its specific structure pertain to Cyrus’s outlook towards the Iranian garden.

The Palace for Public Reception

The Palace of Public Reception is found one kilometer to the northeast of Cyrus’s Mausoleum. It is 54 meters long and 35 meters wide, and displays many features of the architectural techniques prevailing in early Achaemenid era. Among them, one can underline the abolition of rectangular shape (a common shape at Takht-e Jamshid site), and also the application of black and white stones in building materials. This monument includes a vast hall full of columns, with a lofty ceiling in the middle, and small terraces at its four directions. The terraces are 6 meters high. Certain parts of three stone pillars have remained in the palace. On the southern pillar, one of the oldest cuneiform petrographs could be found, in three languages of Old Persian, Elamite and Babylonian. The translation of the text is, “I am Cyrus, the Achaemenid King”.

Darvazel Palace

300 kilometers to the southeast of the Palace of Public Reception, there are remainders of a construct which is supposed to be the famous Darvazeh (Gate] Palace. Bearing carvings on the stone pillar found in the northeast terrace, the site enjoys a great importance. The relief which is the only section remained from Darvazeh Palace depicts a winged man.

Kambyses’s Mmusoleum 

A 14 meter high and 7.5 meter long wall is the only structure remained from this monument, and it really enjoys similarities with Kaaba Zartosht found in Naghsh-e Rostam region. Nevertheless, the mausoleum is older than the other monument. Moreover, as far as the construction technique and fortitude are concerned, it shows a stronger execution in construction. The defense fortification of Tal-e Takht, Mozafari Caravansary, the holy area and the stone tower are other constructs that could still be found in Pasargad region.

Day 2

• Takht-e Jamshid
• The Gate of  Nation
• Stairways of Apadana Palace
• Takht-e Jamshid
• Naghsh-e Rostam
• Naghsh-e Rajab

Takht-e Jamshid

Needed equipment: comfortable shoes: depending on the visiting time, in warm weather, a light and cool outfit and in cold weather, a suitable warm clothing are recommended; a compact camera, a light meal and enough drinking water.

 Lunch is available at Parsian Restaurant, situated on the road leading to Takht-e Jamshid from Marvdasht. Lâneh Tavoos Restaurant on Takht-e Jamshid Street, next to the gas station, at the beginning of the road towards Takht-e Jamshid site, is also a good location to have lunch.

 Takht-e Jamshid closing days: official mourning holidays

Takht-e Jamshid, Parseh, Persepolis, Hezar Sotoon (The 1000 Column] or the 40 Minaret is actually located north of Marvdasht city, in northern Fars Province (towards northeast of Shiraz). For several subsequent years, it served the magnificent and ceremonial capital of the Persian kingdom during the Achaemenid Empire. Takht-e Jamshid is likewise a monument located in this ancient city, built up during the reign of Darius the Great, Xerxes and Artaxerxes I. On the first day of the New Year, many groups of people from different countries, as representatives of Satrapies or governorships gathered in this location, to offer their gifts and presents to the king.

The Gate of Nations

Located northwest of the site, the entrance to the platform consists of two stairways facing one another. They look like two hands bending from their elbows. It is as if they intend to raise the interested visitors above the ground, in order to embrace them in their arms. Each stairway consists of 111 wide and short steps, each 10 centimeters high. Contrary to the conviction of many historians who claim that the low height of the steps was devised for horses to mount easily, it was actually built in this way so the comfort and magnificence of the guests (whose images in their long glorious clothes are depicted on the stone walls of Takht-e Jamshid) could be preserved when climbing the stairways.

Stairways of Apadana Palace

North and east of Apadana Palace include two binary stairways. The eastern one is comprised of two stairways: one faces the north, and the other faces the south. There are carved pictures on the side walls. The former holds carved images that display high ranking army officers of the Medians and Persians, while also holding water lilies in their hands.

Apadana Palace

 Apadana palace is in fact one of the oldest palaces found in Takht-e Jamshid Complex. It was built upon the order of Darius the Great for the purpose of holding Norouz festivities and welcoming the representatives of the subject countries who come to the presence of the king. The palace connects to Tachra Palace or Mirror Palace by a stairway in the southwest.

Takht-e Jamshid

Among other constructs of Takht-e Jamshid, we could refer to: Tachar palace -Hedish palace – The Queen palace “H” palace -The Three door palace -100 Column palace The Council Hall.

Found in the northeast and southeast of Takht-e Jamshid, the tombs of Artaxerxes II, Artaxerxes III and Darius III are carved out in the heart of the mountain.

Naghsh-e Rostam

6 Kilometers from Takht-e Jamshid and located in Zangi Abad, Naghsh-e Rostam is actually the name of an ancient site, in the north of Marvdasht in Fars Province. The area is in fact reminiscent of the eras of Elamites, Achaemenids and Sassanids. It received a great attention from 1200 BC until 625 AC, as it included the tombs of four Achaemenid kings. Moreover, other constructs such as the building of Kaaba Zartosht and ruined stone carvings are found there, and depict the important events of the Sassanid era and those of the Elamite’s. During the reign of Sassanids, this area enjoyed a particular significance from both religious and national perspectives.

In the past, the name of this place was ‘The Three Arches’ or ‘The Two Arches’

Naghsh-e Rajab

3 Kilometers north of Takht-e Jamshid in Marvdasht area, there is a region that includes certain reliefs from the time of Sassanids. The most famous of them are Shapour l’s inscription and Kertir inscription, both situated in Naghsh-e Rajab. Although the site is small, it holds four reliefs from the Sassanid era, found in three corners of the sinkings made in Mehr Mount. The significant feature of the Sassanid reliefs is detectable in these four carvings. The images depict the kings either in the state of receiving the blessing from the Iranian gods, or with their companions. In either case, the magnificence and pride of a new powerful dynasty are quite discernable.

Day 3

• Darvazeh Quran (Quran Gate)
• Khajavi Kermani’s Mausoleum

Darvazeh Quran (Quran Gate)

Needed equipment: comfortable shoes; depending on the visiting time, in warm weather, a light and cool outfit and in cold weather, a suitable warm clothing are recommended; a compact camera, a light meal and enough drinking water.

When visiting Baba-Kouhi and Khajavi Kermani mausoleums, it is recommended to park the car in the special area allocated for this purpose, which is found next to Darvâzeh Quran [Quran Gate), and climb the stairway to reach the concerned sites.

Quran Gate in Shiraz has remained from old times. It is nowadays regarded one of historical items of the city. It was built during the time of Ezed Al-Doleh Deilami, when a Quran was placed there for blessing the travelers who pass through the gate. Quran Gate received renovation in the era of Karim-Khan Zand. A chamber was added to the top of the construct, and two large and valuable volumes of Quran the scribe of which is Ibrahim Ben-Shahrokh Teimuri were placed therein. These Qurans are well known as “Quran-e Hefdah Man” (Quran of 51 Kilograms). They have been transferred to Louvre Museum in Paris.

Khajavi Kermani’s Mausoleum

The Mausoleum of Khajou faces the Quran Gate. The water of the famous fountain of Rokn-Abad also passes by the mausoleum. Above and below the tomb, 2 short stone columns have been placed. This practice was in fact a ritual from ancient times, held for the tombs of the mystics and poets. In the frontal part of the chamber, two sonnets composed by Khaju are found on the tiles, in Nastaligh script.

The Moseleumof Baba-kouhi 

Enjoying a pleasant climate, Sheikh Abu Abd-Allah Shirazi’s Mausoleum (with the nickname of Baba-Kouhi) is a place of interest for the local people in the neighborhood as well as the mountain climbers. He was a renowned mystic of the 11th century. As per an interesting story, Hafez, the great Iranian poet, resided in this location for 40 complete days and nights, in an ascetic state, with the hope of joining his beloved, Shakh-e Nabat.

Day 4

• Karim-Khan Citadel
• The Tribunal Court Complex 
• Vakil Building Complex
• Vakil Bathhouse

Karim-Khan Citadel

Needed equipment: comfortable shoes; depending on the visiting time, in warm weather, a light and cool outfit and in cold weather, a suitable warm clothing are recommended; a compact camera.

 Sharzeh Restaurant situated on Vakil Street, opposite to Vakil Traditional Bazaar is a place recommended for having meals.

The restaurant of Vakil Public Bathhouse (an old bathhouse dating back to the time of Zandieh dynasty) is likewise a good place for eating.

 Karim-Khan Citadel closing days: official mourning holidays.

Located in the center of Shiraz, Karim-Khan Citadel was built during the reign of the Zandieh Dynasty. Choosing Shiraz to serve his capital, Karim-Khan Zand stayed in this place for residence. It is therefore known as Karim-Khan Citadel. During the time of Pahlavi Dynasty, it served a prison and hence received some damages. In 1971, it was entrusted to the Bureau of Culture and Art of the time. Today, this grand structure is supervised by the Cultural Heritage Organization of the Islamic Republic of Iran.

The Tribunal Court Edifice

A historical construct in the city of Shiraz, this building is situated near the citadel of Karim-Khan. In the past, it was known as “The Tribunal Court Edifice of Karim-Khan Zand”. This edifice is consisted of a large hall, with two wooden columns found in the entrance. Much earlier, in the place of the two wooden columns, there had been two stone ones. However, they were transferred to Tehran by Agha-Mohammad Khan, the founder of Qajar dynasty.

Nazar Garden of Shiraz

Nazar Garden is the name of one of historical sites during Zandieh era, which is also known by other names such as Museum Garden, Shahzadeh [Prince] Garden, Pavilion Edifice, Vakil Mausoleum, Four Season Building and Governorship Garden. An octagonal construct was established in the middle of Nazar Garden, by the order of Karim-Khan Zand.

Vakil Building Complex

Vakil Mosque

 Found in the center of Shiraz, Vakil Mosque is in fact a part of the complex of monuments built during the era of Zandieh. It is actually situated next to Vakil Traditional Bazaar and Vakil Bathhouse. A beautiful and robust monument, this mosque enjoys a great importance from both artistic and architectural viewpoints. It was constructed by the command of Karim-Khan Zand. The southern nocturnal prayer section of the mosque includes spiral pillars made of one piece stone slabs, as one of the main characteristics of Iranian architectural style.

The whole mosque contains 48 columns and is indeed an interesting place to visit. It is said that the stone type used in the construction of the pillars in the mosque was in fact brought to Shiraz from the town of Maraqeh.

Vakil Bathhouse

Standing in the city center, Vakil Bathhouse was constructed by Karim Khan’s command. It is also close to other monuments of the time, such as Vakil Traditional Bazaar and Vakil Mosque. One of the interesting sections of the bathhouse, noteworthy to visit, is its royal seat which solely belonged to the use of the king.

Vakil Traditional Bazzar 

This bazaar is one of the most renowned traditional and historical bazaars in Iran. It was established during the reign of Karim Khan Zand (1758-1779). This market is located in the center of Shiraz, east of Shohada Square. The historical Vakil Mosque and Bathhouse are found next to this bazaar.