Registration Classification | cultural heritage |
Registration Criteria | (1),(2),(3),(4) |
Year of registration | 2004 |
Pasargadae, in the province of Fars in southwestern Iran, was once the capital of Achaemenid Persia. The city was built in the 6th century B.C., and its palaces, gardens, and mausoleums show the foundations of the architectural techniques of the early Persian Empire. The most famous is the tomb of Cyrus II, founder of Achaemenid Persia.As a dynasty that ruled from the Mediterranean coast to the Indus River, the architecture shows a variety of styles, indicating that diversity was respected.
Here, a World Heritage enthusiast explains why Pasargadae is a World Heritage Site in an easy-to-understand manner. Read this and you will definitely learn more about Pasargadae!
What is Pasargadae?
Pasargadae, meaning “main camp of the Persians,” was built in what is now Fars province in southwestern Iran. Located 87 km northeast of Persepolis, the most famous archaeological site, it was the first capital of the Achaemenid dynasty. The Achaemenid Dynasty, founded in the 6th century B.C., was a world empire established by the Persians who lived in this area. At its peak, it ruled from the Mediterranean coast to the Indus River.
And the man who opened the dynasty was Cyrus II. He established his capital here, and his former palace and gardens remain as a plot of land today. The tomb of Cyrus II is the fruit of Achaemenid architectural skill and artistic taste, and was a cornerstone of building technology in the early Persian Empire. The “chaharberg” (quadripartite garden), the division of the garden into four parts established here, also became the basis for the gardens of Western Asia.
Although the Achaemenes ruled over many regions and countries, they did not impose their own culture unilaterally, but respected the culture of the people. Thus, architectural styles from other regions can be found in Achaemenid buildings. This architectural concept was eventually carried over to Persepolis.
Major Registered Monuments
Tomb of Cyrus II
The tomb of Cyrus II, founder of Achaemenid Persia, built on a hill.The tomb chamber is over 2 meters high and 2 meters wide. It is said that Alexander the Great, who destroyed the Achaemenid Dynasty, found a golden coffin and other treasures in the tomb, which is also called “Solomon’s throne”. Although there is a small entrance in front of it, nothing has been discovered there.
For what reason is Pasargadae on the World Heritage List?
Pasargadae was recognized for the following
Registration Criteria (i)
The point is that Pasargadae is the first masterpiece of Achaemenid architecture.
Registration Criteria (ii)
The Achaemenid dynasty was a world empire, which means that many different cultures were combined, which led to the development of Persian art and architectural techniques.
Registration Criteria (iii)
The point is that the ruins contain the tomb of Cyrus II, founder of the Achaemenid dynasty, which proves the existence of the Achaemenid dynasty.
Registration Criteria (iv)
The gardens of Pasargadae show the “chaharberg” (quadrant garden) style, in which the garden is divided into four parts, which also became the basis of gardens in West Asia.
World Heritage Mania Conclusions and Comments
Pasargadae is valued not only for its value as the capital built by Cyrus II, but also for the fusion of cultures within the empire, which became the basis of Persian architecture.And although only a section remains today, it is also important to note that the “chaharberg” (quadrant garden) found here was the origin of the West Asian garden.
…I have written many times about this square tomb as “the tomb of Cyrus II,” but in fact, there is no evidence for this at all, and it is just a legend based on the writings of Greek historians.However, there are no other large tombs remaining… It is irresponsible to say this, but there seems to be no doubt that it is “probably” the tomb of a person of Cyrus II’s rank.
*This is a study based on research conducted by a World Heritage enthusiast. As for the data, interpretation differs depending on the media.