World Heritage Identification Number: 1077
World Heritage since: 2003
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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Takht-e Soleyman: A Unique Blend of Ancient Persian and Islamic Architecture
Takht-e Soleyman, located in the West Azerbaijan province of Iran, is a remarkable archaeological site that offers a fascinating glimpse into the rich cultural heritage of ancient Persia. Inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2003, this significant historical complex is nestled in a valley within a volcanic mountain region, providing a striking natural backdrop to its ancient structures.
More to come…UNESCO Description of the World Heritage Site
The archaeological site of Takht-e Soleyman, in north-western Iran, is situated in a valley set in a volcanic mountain region. The site includes the principal Zoroastrian sanctuary partly rebuilt in the Ilkhanid (Mongol) period (13th century) as well as a temple of the Sasanian period (6th and 7th centuries) dedicated to Anahita. The site has important symbolic significance. The designs of the fire temple, the palace and the general layout have strongly influenced the development of Islamic architecture.
UNESCO Justification of the World Heritage Site
Criterion i:
Takht-e Soleyman is an outstanding ensemble of royal architecture, joining the principal architectural elements created by the Sasanians in a harmonious composition inspired by their natural context.
Criterion ii:
The composition and the architectural elements created by the Sasanians at Takht-e Soleyman have had strong influence not only in the development of religious architecture in the Islamic period, but also in other cultures.
Criterion iii:
The ensemble of Takht-e Soleyman is an exceptional testimony of the continuation of cult related to fire and water over a period of some two and half millennia. The archaeological heritage of the site is further enriched by the Sasanian town, which is still to be excavated.
Criterion iv:
Takht-e Soleyman represents an outstanding example of Zoroastrian sanctuary, integrated with Sasanian palatial architecture within a composition, which can be seen as a prototype.
Criterion vi:
As the principal Zoroastrian sanctuary, Takht-e Soleyman is the foremost site associated with one of the early monotheistic religions of the world. The site has many important symbolic relationships, being also a testimony of the association of the ancient beliefs, much earlier than the Zoroastrianism, as well as in its association with significant biblical figures and legends.
Encyclopedia Record: Takht-e Soleymān
Takht-e Soleymān, is an archaeological site in West Azerbaijan, Iran dating back to the Sasanian Empire. It lies midway between Urmia and Hamadan, very near the present-day town of Takab, and 400 km (250 mi) west of Tehran.Additional Site Details
Area: 10 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
(vi) — Directly associated with events or living traditions
Coordinates: 36.60388889 , 47.235
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© Elaheabed, CC BY-SA 4.0 Resized from original. (This derivative is under the same CC BY-SA license.)
