Marvdasht:
After Shiraz, Marvdasht is the second largest and most important city in Fars province. Important ancient monuments of Persepolis, the ancient city of Istakhr, Naghsh-e Rostam, and Naghsh-e Rajab are located in this city. The history of this ancient land dates back to the fifth millennium BC. The vast plain of Marvdasht has a long history and has witnessed many changes and developments. The city is located in the alluvial and flat plains. The plain leads to the mountains from the north, west, and south and extends from the southeast and east to the Bakhtegan Lake.
The climate of this city is mountainous and temperate. Marvdasht is currently the second most populous city and the fourth largest city in Fars province and is expanding rapidly. The high potential for tourism is one of the characteristics of this city. The city’s name is probably derived from its lush plains and meadows. As Ibn Balkhi first wrote in Farsnameh, “Marv” as one of the neighborhoods of the ancient city of Istakhr, which has been replaced by Persepolis garden over time.
” Marv” in the word means grass and “Dasht” means plain! Thousands of years before Darius the Great chose a rocky hill at the foot of Mount Mehr (Rahmat) to build his great palaces, civilized tribes lived on its vast plain. Remains such as painted pottery, and the tools and equipment of that period, all speak for themselves. The ruins of Istakhr and palaces of Persepolis show part of the city’s glorious history.
The historical and natural attractions of this city are the mirror of the great and glorious history of ancient Iran in the Achaemenids and Sassanids eras.
Persepolis:
Takht-e-Jamshid, which is undoubtedly an irreplaceable symbol of the genius and art of our ancestors, is so fascinating and captivating that it has fascinated the world, and UNESCO has registered this amazing masterpiece in the World Heritage List. This complex contains the remains of the most important palaces of the Achaemenid dynasty, including Apadana Palace Tachara Palace, Hadish Palace, and the 100-column Palace (46,000 square meters). The roof of which rests on a hundred stone pillars. In addition, in the heart of these palaces, a museum called Takht-e-Jamshid Museum has been created in Persepolis style architecture, and by entering it, you will find yourself among the most valuable relics left from the Achaemenid period.
Naghsh-e Rajab historical complex:
Naghsh-e Rajab is one of the valuable reliefs of ancient Iranian sculpture. This place is located 13 km from Marvdasht city and 3 km north of Persepolis and on the right side of Shahi road. The amazing relief and beautiful stone carvings in this place, along with a magical serenity make this place one of the most important monuments in Fars province. This place is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The relief of Naqsh-e Rajab includes four scenes: coronation of Ardashir Babakan, the coronation of Shapur I, Shapur I, and courtiers, as well as a single relief of Kartir, the Sassanid high priest.
The ancient city of Estakhr:
Estakhr is the name of an ancient city located in Fars province of Iran. This city was one of the largest and most magnificent cities of ancient Iran, but after the Arab invasion, it was almost completely destroyed, and now, except for a stone gate, a few columns, and a few stone walls nothing has remained.
Naqsh-e Rostam:
Naqsh-e Rostam also features reliefs in the heart of the cliffs that present the glorious history of Iran, depicting part of the coronation of Ardeshir Babakan and the victory of Shapur I over the powerful Roman Empire. In addition, the eternal tombs of powerful Achaemenid kings such as Darius the Great, Xerxes and Darius II are also in this complex; however, there is no entrance to the tombs and the tombs are completely sealed. The architecture of this spectacular masterpiece is unmatched in the world.
Pasargadae: The magnificent legacy of Cyrus the Great!
The ancient complex of Pasargad, which is a relic of the glorious Achaemenid period, is located in a city of the same name in Fars province. Among the historical structures of this place, we should mention Pasargad Mosque, Pasargad Royal Garden, Gate Palace, Exclusive Palace, Audience Palace, Two koushks, Cambyses II Tomb, Mozaffari Caravanserai and the fountains of the Royal Garden. But without a doubt, the most prominent attraction is the tomb of Cyrus the Great, formerly known as “the tomb of the mother of Solomon.” Pasargad Collection was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List as Iran’s fifth work.
The Persian Garden of Pasargad:
Pasargad Persian Garden is one of the parts of Pasargad complex that has been considered as the source of the famous Persian garden architecture. According to historical texts, at the time of the garden’s construction, Cyrus the Great personally instructed on how to create the Pasargadae Garden and how to plant trees.
Ka’ba-ye Zartosht:
Ka’ba-ye Zartosht is the name of a square and stepped stone building in Naghsh-e Rostam area. There is not much information about this mysterious building. But one of the interesting facts about this building is the existence of a stone inscription of Shapur I on its wall, which is also called the Pahlavi inscription.
Prison of Solomon:
Another landmark of the Achaemenid dynasty was the tomb of Cambyses II or the prison of Solomon. Today only one wall of marble white stones has remained from it. The tomb of Cambyses II was a masterpiece of architecture in its time and it was so popular that Darius decided to build a similar example in Naqsh-e Rostam, which is the Ka’ba-ye Zartosht.
Tange Bostanak: The lost paradise of Marvdasht!
Lost Paradise is a worthy name for this dreamy place. Dense forests, roaring waterfalls, beautiful and pristine views of the Lake of Doroudzan Dam along the waterfalls, overgrown oak trees, unique architecture of the village houses of the region, and paddy fields have all made Bostanak a true paradise. One of the special attractions of this region is the growth of different types of trees in the rocky fields, which is a sign of the unrivaled and admirable power of nature.
Tang Bostanak is not the only natural attraction of Marvdasht. The village and the bridge of Band-e-Amir, Dashtak waterfall, Doroudzan dam, Deirbagh promenade, Tang Khoshk, and Ashkoft-e Gavi Cave are other beautiful natural attractions of Marvdasht that are highly recommended to visit.
The Ghalat Palace:
Around the city of Syedan, located in the Syedan district of Marvdasht, there is a village called Ghalat, which has a pristine nature and several historical attractions such as Ghalat Palace (dating back to the Achaemenid period), the ancient village church with interesting stone architecture. There are also old mills, a historical cemetery with carved stones, an old bazaar with paved stones flour, and the castle of Ghezel Arsalan.
Famous tourist resorts in Marvdasht include Apadana Takht-e Jamshid Hotel, Jahangardi Takht-e Jamshid Hotel, as well as Shidgar Marvdasht Ecological Resort and Naghsh Rostam Marvdasht Ecological Resort.
