Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Architecture
Architecture is often regarded as the field in which Persia made its greatest contribution to
world culture. For the visitor, it seems every town and village has some historic building.
And these serve as a reason to visit while offering a glimpse into the varied peoples and
dynasties that have ruled the nation during the past 3000 years.
Most of the greatest buildings were built for
religious purposes, with first Zoroastrianism and
Islam (after AD 637) most prevalent. As such,
most of what is known as Persian architecture is
also called Islamic architecture. However you
see it, the influences cross religious divisions
and churches and synagogues in Iran will usu-
ally include Persian features.
Persian architecture has strongly influenced build-
ing throughout the Islamic world, especially in
Central Asia, Afghanistan, Pakistan and India.
Probably the most famous building of Persian ori-
gin is India's iconic Taj Mahal, designed by
Safavid-era architect Ustad Ahmad Lahouri.
WORLD HERITAGE SITES
Iran's 13 Unesco World Heritage Sites are all significant architectural sites, listed here chronologically. For details see
whc.unesco.org.
» »Choqa Zanbil, 13th century BC ( Click here )
» »Pasargadae, 6th century BC ( Click here )
» »Bisotun, 6th century BC ( Click here )
» »Persepolis, 5th century BC ( Click here )
» »Arg-e Bam, 4th century BC to 18th century ( Click here )
» »Shushtar Hydraulic Complex, primarily 3rd century ( Click here )
» »Armenian Monastic Ensembles, 7th to 14th centuries (Qareh Kalisa, Click here , and Church of St Stephanos, Click
here )
» »Takht-e Soleiman, primarily 13th century ( Click here )
» »Oljeitu Mausoleum, Soltaniyeh, 14th century ( Click here )
» »Sheikh Safi-od-Din Mausoleum, Ardabil, 16th to 18th centuries ( Click here )
» »Naqsh-e Jahan (Imam) Sq, Esfahan, 17th century ( Click here )
» »Tabriz Bazaar, primarily 18th century ( Click here )
» »The Persian Garden, nine sites ( Click here ) .
 
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