Iran is an ancient country with lots of monuments to offer its visitors. Some of them have been worth being enlisted at UNESCO’s world human heritage and are there now. Some other sights are queuing up for being registered in this list. Here you will read about some of these sites that have been constructed before the advent of Islam in Iran:
Tchogha Zanbil Temple:
This ziggurat temple was built by Elamites in approximately 1250 B.C. The King of Susa has built it for the god of his city Inshushinak. It was discovered and unearthed a few decades ago and is still in good shape. It is between Susa and Ahvaz, Khuzestan province, South West of Iran.
As one of the oldest Iran tourist attractions, This temple is best to be visited on less hot months of the year, March, April, October and November.
Persepolis:
The Achaemenian ceremonial palace compound constructed by emperors of this period is one of the highlights of everyone’s visit to Iran. The vast dimension of palaces and beauty of their rock relieves telling you the stories of how 23 nations gathered together in this place at least once a year are stunning. The sight is located approximately 65 km north of Shiraz, Fars Province.
Palace of Ardeshir:
This is the first palace built by Sassanians when they started their ruling dynasty in 270 A.D. The architecture of this palace is a valuable example of how dome building was a rich tradition of pre-Islam governments and architects in Iran. At Firuz Abad, South of Shiraz, Fars Province, this palace is standing on the highest elevation of a valley slope surrounded by mountains.
Such Iran tourist attractions will be registered in UNESCO’s world heritage list sooner or later and this country has got several such sights to offer to its culture-oriented travelers.
Bam Walled Town:
Majorly Damaged by 2003 huge earthquake, the ancient town of Bam has been such an outstanding mud-and-bricks compound from the antiquities that was enlisted by UNESCO in an urgent fashion quickly after the quake. The process is underway to restore the sight and bring it back to the state which will be worth visiting again. This Iran tourist attraction used to be visited a lot more before this natural devastation. Today, Rayen, a one-hour drive from Kerman on the Bam road offers similarly spectacular features to its visitors.
Takht-e-Soleyman:
This tourist attraction of Iran is a compound of palaces and temples originally built before the advent of Islam in Iran. Later, some other kings have built their palaces at the same sights. However, the first structures formed here are fire temple, water temple, palaces, etc built by Sassanian kings who came to pay homage to such temples.
Pasargadae:
Iran tourist attractions each have some astonishing monuments to attract their visitors, but there is one single element in this sight that is equally breath-taking, the tomb of Cyrus the great. He is the father of Iran history, the founder of the first central government in Iranian plateau. His tomb is the resting place of the first world known figure who has received the title of “the great”.
Shushtar Waterfalls:
When you travel to Iran and visit the south west of the country, make sure you see Shushtar waterfalls planned and constructed under Sassanians. You may have read about several Iran tourist attractions, but this sight has never been duly introduced although it has recently been registered in UNESCO’s list of world human heritage.
Bisotun Inscriptions:
Like Rosetta stone, this huge inscription is among the top three major written carvings of the world that have contributed a lot to the discovery of antiquities’ culture, events, historical landmarks, etc. Darius, the Achaemenids’ emperor, has ordered this rock relief and inscription to be made on the face of the mount Bisotun to remind people of what had happened as a result of telling lies to the nation.
Bishapur Ancient City:
Shapur the first is the Iranian king at the Sassanid period who defeated Valerian, the Roman emperor. He later built Bishapur city with the help of Roman engineers and workers enslaved as a result of this war. The city walls, ceremonial hall, Anahita temple, Valerian’s prison, etc are all the remaining structures still partially standing at this sight.