Persepolis, Archaeological site in Fars Province, Iran
The ancient complex spans 125,000 square meters on an artificial terrace, featuring limestone structures, grand halls, and detailed stone carvings at 1,627 meters elevation.
Construction began in 515 BCE under Darius I, serving as the ceremonial capital of the Achaemenid Empire until Alexander of Macedon destroyed it in 330 BCE.
The site contains trilingual inscriptions in Old Persian, Elamite, and Babylonian, which were instrumental in decoding ancient cuneiform writing systems.
The Gate of All Nations leads visitors through a quadrangular hall with four columns and western entrance, displaying ancient Persian inscriptions dedicated to Xerxes.
Archaeological excavations revealed that the construction workers received regular wages and rations, contrary to assumptions about slave labor building ancient monuments.
Location: Kenareh Rural District
Location: Fars Province
Location: Iran
Inception: 510s BCE
Architectural style: Achaemenid architecture
Elevation above the sea: 1,627 m
Website: https://persepolis.ir
Website: https://persepolis.ir
GPS coordinates: 29.93500,52.89000
Latest update: May 27, 2025 12:31
Photo license: CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo license: CC BY-SA 3.0
Naqsh-e Rustam
6.2 km
Gate of All Nations
155 m
Istakhr
5.4 km
Ka'ba-ye Zartosht
6.1 km
Tachara
81 m
Tomb of Darius I
6.2 km
Naqsh-e Rajab
3.5 km
Tomb of Xerxes I
6.2 km
Relief of triumph of Shapur I over Valerian at Naqsh-e Rustam
6.2 km
Tall-i Bakun
2.9 km
Ahura Mazda and Ardashir I
6.2 km
Apadana of Persepolis
43 m
Tomb of Artaxerxes I
6.2 km
Tomb of Darius II
6.2 km
Hadish Palace
129 m
Tomb of Artaxerxes III
257 m
Tripylon
62 m
Hall of hundred columns
112 m
Palace of Artaxerxes I
142 m
Tomb of Artaxerxes II
495 m
Treasury of Persepolis
172 m
Museum of Persepolis
161 m
Relief of equestrian combat of Bahram II
6.2 km
Relief of equestrian combat of Hormizd II
6.2 km
Relief of Shapur I in Naqsh-e Rajab
3.5 km
Cistern of Persepolis
255 m
Unfinished Tomb of Darius III
671 m
Naqsh-e Rustam Cistern
6.2 kmReviews
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