One destination that shouldn't be missed during a trip to Iran is Persepolis archaeological site. This city was one of the five capital cities of the Achaemenid empire, about fifty kilometers from Shiraz.
Its name comes from Greek and means "city of Persia". The Oriental Institute of the University of Chicago has led several excavation campaigns to discover its history.
Are you ready to leave for Iran? Here is all you need to know before visiting the legendary city of Persepolis!
Location of Persepolis
Persepolis is in Iran, located near a small river called Pulvar, on a plain partly dugged out of the mountain and partly situated on a large terrace. On the whole, the site covers an area of 125,000 square meters.
History of the archaeological findings
Acccording to studies, the site dates back to 515 BC. Probably the city wasn't founded by Darius, but it's almost certain that he made it the capital of Persia, also building the Apadana. Almost all the buildings were made in grey limestone, partly on a large artificial terrace. The palaces had wooden columns, made using cedars of Lebanon and Indian teak.
The findings seem to prove that the buildings were of three types: military buildings, treasury and residential palaces for the king.
In 330 BC, Alexander the Great invaded Persia, destroying and plundering Persepolis. Some palaces were devastated by a great fire, which was probably accidental. From that time on the slow and inexorable decline of Persepolis started.
The research
Since ancient times historians have been wondering about the origins of Persepolis, but the first who identified its origins correctly as Persian was Garcia de Silva Figueroa, ambassador of the Spanish court, in 1618.
Amateur excavations began between the end of the nineteenth century and the beginning of the twentieth century, while real scientific excavations only started in the '30s, carried out by the Oriental Institute of Chicago University.
The ruins: what is left today
What can we visit of Persepolis today? Here is a list of the major ruins that one can admire while exploring the archaeological site.
Terrace: The complex stands on a large four- storeyed terrace which holds many giant palaces. Only some columns and pillars are left of them.
Monumental staircase: It gives access to the large terrace. It is believed that this staircase was ordered by Serse, son of Darius.
Gate of all nations: A large square hall leading to the Apadana, woth four columns and a main entrance on the western wall. It features inscriptions dedicated to Serse in ancient Persian, Elami and Babylonian.
Procession Avenue and Unfinished Gate: The Procession Avenue is located in the northern area of the terrace and leads to the Unfinished Gate or Unfinished Palace, a building which was never completed because Persepolis was destroyed by the invasion of Alexander the Great.
Apadana: The great palace of Persepolis built by Darius, used for official hearings. It had a square shape and was supported by 72 columns, 13 still standing. The summit of the columns was decorated with statues of animal heads, for example lions, eagle and two-headed bulls.
Tachara: Also known as Darius Palace, it's located south of the Apadana. It was ordered by Darius and completed by the successors Serse I and Artaserse III.
Tripylon: The name of this building comes from its three entrances. It was an audience room for Serse.
Hadish Palace: Also known as Serse's Palace, it had a large central hall with stone and wooden columns, sorrounded by smaller halls and passageways.
Palace of the 100 columns: Also called Throne Hall, this square-shaped palace is the largest in Persepolis.
Treasury: This series of halls in the south-eastern section of the terrace was built by Darius the Great, covering 10,000 square meters in total.
Garrison and Hall of the 32 columns: In the eastern part of Persepolis there were the quarters for soldiers and servants, where plenty of clay tablets were found. The function of the Hall of the 32 columns is still unknown.
Tombs: There are some important historical tombs in Persepolis. While Cyrus the Great is commonly thought to be buried in Pasargadae, it is believed that Darius I, Serse I, Artaserse I and Darius II were buried in Naqsh-e Rostam (see image below), an archaelogical site 12 km from Persepolis. The two tombs behind Persepolis complex probably host the remains of Artaserse II and Artaserse III.
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