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Takht-e Soleyman

Takht-e-Soliman tourist attraction

Takht-e Soleyman located in the southeast of West Azarbaijan Province near the city of Takab is an ancient site with an area of 74 square kilometers and also a relic of ancient Iran.

At that time, there were three very important fire temples called AzerFaranbagh, AzarBorzinMehr and AzarGhoshnasb in Iran; only traces of Azar Ghoshnasb Fire Temple have remained, which we call Takht-e Suleyman today.

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History of Takht-e Soleyman

The most important information extracted from the sources indicate the increasing importance of this structure in Sassanid era, but according to the narrations and results of archeological research, the date of this ancient complex goes back to the period of the Medes. Although there is no information about how it was made for the first time; in Avesta, this place is mentioned as a holy place in the Zoroaster period; we know that Zoroaster probably lived in the early period of the Medes or a little earlier. Another important document states that the independence declaration of the ruler of Atropaten occurred in this place after the death of Alexander. In the Parthian era, despite being beseiged by some Roman emperors, Takht-e was not destroyed.

Nonetheless, the most important period of this city was during Sasanian rule; due to AzarGhoshnasb Fire Temple, the Sassanid royal family, including Shahan-shah himself, came to visit this area and brought prosperity and welfare to this city. But Heraclius, the Roman emperor, razed the fire temple to the ground and destroyed the city. After this event, it continued to be inhabited in the Islamic period until finally, in the 18th and 19th centuries, archaeologists determined the facts inside the city with numerous excavations. Today, this area is considered one of the most important UNESCO World Heritage Sites and hosts many tourists from all over the world.

Why Do We Call It Takht-e Soleyman?

In ancient times, the only important name attributed to this area was "Ganjak" (treasure storage place), which probably dates back to the Achaemenid period. In the Islamic era until the time of the Ilkhans, it was called "sheez". However, due to the lack of proper knowledge about the past and strong belief in legends, this place was considered the royal palace of Prophet Solomon and was thus called Takht-e Soleyman in the Ilkhanid era. The same name is still applied to this ancient complex.

Different Parts of Takht-e Soleyman

This complex is rectangular with a 120-meter deep lake in its center. Around the lake, traces of the Parthian, Sasanian and Islamic periods have been found.

* Around the whole complex there is a fence with 38 towers, which is circular, but the royal complex itself also has a rectangular fence.

* In the north, double buildings, which were fire temples ,were found connected through a corridor.

* In the west of the lake, there are also small pillared halls, which are probably the place of AzarGhoshnasb Fire Temple because a large chahartaqi can be seen in it.

* On the south side, a porch overlooking the lake can be seen, which researchers consider to be the residence of the royal family.

* Between the two fences, the remains of many small houses can be seen, which are the residences of the ordinary people of the city.

* Finally, a palace of Abaqa Khan was built in the area, the ruins of which only remain.

The architecture of Takht-e Soleyman is really unique with remnants discovered from the Median and Achaemenid era to the Abbasid caliphate and Ilkhanate. It will be more interesting if you know that traces of Paleolithic humans have recently been excavated from its soil, proving that the age of Takht-e Soleyman is more than this!!!

Tags: Takht-e Soleyman, West Azerbaijan Province, West Azerbaijan Attractions, UNESCO World Heritage Sites, Iran Historical Attractions

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