World Heritage Identification Number: 1106
World Heritage since: 2004
Category: Cultural Heritage
Transboundary Heritage: No
Endangered Heritage: No
Country: 🇮🇷 Iran (Islamic Republic of)
Continent: Asia
UNESCO World Region: Asia and the Pacific
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Pasargadae: The First Dynastic Capital of the Achaemenid Empire
Pasargadae, a significant historical site located in modern-day Iran, serves as a testament to the grandeur and cultural richness of the ancient Persian civilization. Inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2004, this archaeological complex offers a unique glimpse into the early phases of the Achaemenid Empire, established by Cyrus the Great in the 6th century BCE.
More to come…UNESCO Description of the World Heritage Site
Pasargadae was the first dynastic capital of the Achaemenid Empire, founded by Cyrus II the Great, in Pars, homeland of the Persians, in the 6th century BC. Its palaces, gardens and the mausoleum of Cyrus are outstanding examples of the first phase of royal Achaemenid art and architecture and exceptional testimonies of Persian civilization. Particularly noteworthy vestiges in the 160-ha site include: the Mausoleum of Cyrus II; Tall-e Takht, a fortified terrace; and a royal ensemble of gatehouse, audience hall, residential palace and gardens. Pasargadae was the capital of the first great multicultural empire in Western Asia. Spanning the Eastern Mediterranean and Egypt to the Hindus River, it is considered to be the first empire that respected the cultural diversity of its different peoples. This was reflected in Achaemenid architecture, a synthetic representation of different cultures.
UNESCO Justification of the World Heritage Site
Criterion (i): Pasargadae is the first outstanding expression of the royal Achaemenid architecture.
Criterion (ii): The dynastic capital of Pasargadae was built by Cyrus the Great with a contribution by different peoples of the empire created by him. It became a fundamental phase in the evolution of the classic Persian art and architecture.
Criterion (iii): The archaeological site of Pasargadae with its palaces, gardens, and the tomb of the founder of the dynasty, Cyrus the Great, represents an exceptional testimony to the Achaemenid civilisation in Persia.
Criterion (iv): The ‘Four Gardens’ type of royal ensemble, which was created in Pasargadae became a prototype for Western Asian architecture and design.
Encyclopedia Record: Pasargadae
Pasargadae was the capital of the Achaemenid Empire under Cyrus the Great, located just north of the town of Madar-e-Soleyman and about 90 kilometres (56 mi) to the northeast of the city of Shiraz. It is one of Iran's UNESCO World Heritage Sites. It is considered to be the location of the Tomb of Cyrus, a tomb previously attributed to Madar-e-Soleyman, the "Mother of Solomon". It is a national tourist site administered by the Iranian culture of world heritage.Additional Site Details
Area: 159.65 hectares
(ii) — Significant interchange of human values
(iii) — Unique or exceptional testimony to a cultural tradition
(iv) — Outstanding example of a type of building or landscape
Coordinates: 30.19383 , 53.16729
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© Soheil Callage, CC BY-SA 4.0 Resized from original. (This derivative is under the same CC BY-SA license.)
