Sassanid Archaeological Landscape of Fars Region

The Sasanian archaeological landscape of Fars includes the most valuable historical, architectural and urban planning related to the Sasanian era (224 to 658 AD), which are located in the historical areas of Firouzabad, Bishapur and Sarvestan.

The Sasanian archaeological landscape of Fars region with 8 significant architectural works, two historical cities, 8 reliefs, a castle and two palaces has been registered in the UNESCO World Heritage List.

According to archeological studies, Fars province plays an important role in the 400-year rule of the Sassanids and contains the most Monuments from the Sassanid period (about 3000 Monuments).

The most important Sasanian Monument in Fars province, which connects Sasanian and Islamic architecture, is the world’s first dome in Firozabad.

The Sasanian archaeological landscape of Fars region is a representation of the history of Iran during the Sasanian era.

 This collection of Monuments represents Iranian urban planning, art, architecture and lithography, which has its roots in the pre-Sasanian period, especially the Parthian period. But you can see the influence of Roman and even Greek art, especially in the ancient city of Bishapur. The method of building porches, the first domes on square buildings, using clay with sarooj is one of the architectural features of this historical period.

The art of Stone carving was used in Iran from the Elamite period and before that to show the power and glory of the kingdom, but this art reached its peak in the Sassanid period. The Sassanians used the art of stone carving to narrate important historical events.

 Many researchers believe that the first model of Iranian dome building was implemented in the Fire Temple of Gore and evolved during the Sassanid era. Dome construction reached its peak in the Islamic period.

Many of Monuments of this area are related to the period of Shahpur, one of the greatest kings in the history of Iran. One of the important historical events of Iran is the series of battles between Iran and Rome during the Shahpur period, the feedback of which can be found in Tang Chogan and the city of Bishapur. After a battle with the Romans, Shahpur captured the Roman legionaries and their emperor and used them to build the city of Bishapur.

Sasanians had deep religious beliefs. Their deep ties with Zoroastrians made the beliefs of this religion reach the peak of its power in the history of Iran during this period.

Ardashir Investiture Relief

The petroglyph of Ardeshir and Ahuramazda is one of the most beautiful and healthy motifs surviving from the Sasanian period. In this petroglyph, Ahuramazda and Ardeshir Babkan are standing in front of each other. Ahuramazda gives the king’s ring to Ardeshir from the altar of fire and elects him to be king. Behind Ardeshir’s head, the crown prince (Shapur) and two other princes are standing.

Ardeshir Babakan’s victory petroglyph

A petroglyph related to the Sasanian period, in which the scene of the victorious battle of Ardeshir Babakan with the last Parthian king is engraved. This petroglyph is 18 meters long and 4 meters high and is considered the largest surviving petroglyph in Iran. This Monument was carved on top of a rock in Firozabad and around the Firozabad River.

Shahpour Cave

Shapur Cave the other sassanid archaeological landscape is located 6 km from the historical city of Bishabur in “Sine Kouh” at an altitude of about 800 meters. The statue of Shapur with a height of 6 meters and a weight of 30 tons is located at its entrance. This masterpiece of ancient Iranian sculpture still remains after nearly 1700 years, but its two hands are broken. This statue was overturned due to an earthquake, which was repaired and returned to its original state by the Iranian army without considering the principles of archeology.

Aradashir khurreh (gur)

The abandoned city of gur is located three kilometers from Firozabad. gur (Aradashir khurreh) was built in the beginning of the 3rd century AD by the order of Ardeshir Babkan. This circular city is designed with a diameter of 2 kilometers. The city has four main gates and government buildings and residences of courtiers were located in it.The city of gur is considered the first circular city in Iran and the world.

Ardeshir Papakan Palace

Ardeshir Papakan Palace was built in the third century AD by Ardeshir Babakan, one of the founders of the Sassanid dynasty and sassanid archaeological landscape. Ardeshir Papakan Palace dates back to more than 1800 years ago.

Some experts believe that Ardeshir Papakan Palace was not used as a palace in the distant past and was originally a fire temple. Due to the location of the palace by the water, experts believe that the palace was originally a place to worship Anahita, the goddess of water.

  The base of the palace is 104 meters by 55 meters and tiles, plaster and half-hewn stones were used for its construction. The use of these materials has made the architecture inside the palace more beautiful. The building is so strong that it is still standing after 1800 years, and despite the damage caused during the era, it still has the dome of its porches.

 The construction of buildings with domes was not common in the Sassanid era, therefore Ardeshir Papakan Palace is the first building of the Sassanid sassanid archaeological landscape that used domes in its architecture and has 4 domes.

Sassanid Archaeological Landscape of Fars Region have been registered in the world list of UNESCO and by joining the UNESCO tours organized by Oak Travel agency, visit these special and spectacular Places. sassanid archaeological landscape