Built before the Islamic Revolution, it is the symbol of Iranian architecture and the symbol of the capital city, Tehran. Located at the heart of Tehran, the architecture is a combination of Achaemenid, Sassanid, and Islamic architecture. Beneath the tower, you can see a theater hall, gallery, library, and a museum. This monument played a key role in the demonstrations that lead to the victory of the Islamic Revolution. The…
The construction of the Sheikh Lotfollah Mosque was started in 1603 and was finished sixteen years later. The monument was built in the Safavid dynasty and is a masterpiece of Islamic and Persian architecture and tile work. This place is located in Naghsh-e Jahan Square along with buildings such as Ali Qapu and Shah Mosque. The rays of sunlight which comes from outside the building catch every eye. It is…
Golestan Palace is a must-see attraction in Iran. Try to keep that in mind when you decide to travel to this country. It was built by Shah Abbas and later rebuilt in Zand and Qajar dynasties. Then the Arg, a part of this complex, became the Throne Hall of Qajar kings. Golestan Palace has been enlisted by UNESCO as a heritage of humanity. A section of this palace was dedicated…
Persepolis is a complex which includes different palaces and was built in 518 BC by Darius the Great, the mighty king of the Achaemenid Empire. The pad in which the complex was built is on Rahmat Mountain. The length of this historical site is equal to Acropolis in Athens but is four to five times wider. Many architects from different civilizations along with male and female workers have contributed to…
This construction called a ziggurat was built in 1250 BC by the Elamite king Untash Napirisha to honor the god Inshushinak. The structure of this temple was built in 5 stories; but, today only 3 floors have remained. Before the excavations, it looked like a hill in the shape of a basket so it was called Chogh Zanbil by the locals that means "basket-shaped hill". Although, Chogha Zanbil This temple was…
This site was built in three different periods; The base of the mosque belongs to the Sassanid period; the dome chamber belongs to the Mongol period, and the portico dates back to the Timurid period. In addition, this mosque is known for its tall portal and its distinguished tile work. The minarets of the mosque with 52 meters in length and 8 meters in diameter are known as the longest…
Another historical building of Isfahan on the side of Naqshe Jahan Square from the Safavid period; that was built by Shah Abbas and was used as a palace. The name consists of two parts, "Ali" and "Qapu" which together mean "long portal". It is said that the king used to bring his guests over to the balcony in order to show them the view of Naqshe Jahan square. Inside the…
Jame Abbasi Mosque or Shah Mosque is located on the southern part of Naqsh-e Jahan Square. It is enlisted in UNESCO World Heritage Sites and is located in Isfahan. After the Islamic Revolution, the name changed to Imam Mosque. The calligraphic inscriptions and amazing tiles are what catches the attention of tourists. Ali Akbar Isfahani was the head of the architecture team, and the mosque was built by the decree…
