Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
discern remnants of Darius' garden have recently been added to the World Heritage list
as part of a joint entry for Persian Gardens.
The austere and awesomely simple Tomb of Cyrus stands proudly on the Morghab
Plain. It consists of six stone tiers with a modest rectangular burial chamber above, and its
unique architecture combines elements of all the major civilisations Cyrus had conquered.
During the Achaemenid period it was surrounded by gardens and protected, but was
plundered by the armies of Alexander the Great, an act that greatly distressed the Macedo-
nian conqueror.
About 1km north of the tomb begin the insubstantial remains of the early Achaemenid
empire. Cyrus's Private Palace is first, notable for its unusual plan, central hall of 30
columns (the stumps of which remain), and wide verandahs front and back. About 250m
southeast is the rectangular Audience Palace , which once had an 18m-high hypostyle hall
surrounded by smaller balconies. One of the eight white limestone columns has been re-
constructed on its uncommon black limestone plinth. In both the Audience Palace and in
Cyrus's Private Palace there is a cuneiform inscription that reads: 'I am Cyrus, the Achae-
menid King'.
Another 500m north of Cyrus's Private Palace are the remains of the Prison of So-
lomon (Zendan-e Soleiman), variously thought to be a fire temple, tomb, sun dial or store.
On the hill beyond is the Tal e-Takht, which was actually a monumental 6000-sq-metre
citadel used from Cyrus's time until the late Sassanian period. Local historians believe the
references to Solomon date from the Arab conquest, when the inhabitants of Pasargadae
renamed the sites with Islamic names to prevent their destruction.
Getting There & Away
By far the easiest way to get here is to charter a taxi from Shiraz for the round trip; this
will cost about US$54 with a one-hour stop. If you will be travelling between Shiraz and
Yazd by car, it makes a lot of sense to stop here, at Persepolis, at Naqsh-e Rostam and at
Naqsh-e Rajab on your way.
By public transport, follow the instructions for Persepolis ( Click here ) and when you
get to Marvdasht take another savari to Sa'adat Abad (US$2.30, 45 minutes), and then a
taxi dar baste to Pasargadae and back to Sa'adat Abad (US$18).
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