TEHRAN - Situated near Cyrus the Greats personal palace are the remains of the Prison of Solomon (Zendan-e Soleiman), variously thought to once being a fire temple, burial place, sundial, or store.On the hill beyond is the Tall-e Takht-- a significant 6000-sq-meter castle utilized from Cyrus time until the late Sassanian period.
Regional historians believe the references to Solomon date from the Arab conquest of Persia when the residents of Pasargadae renamed the websites with Islamic names to prevent devastation.Prison of Solomon is situated in a dramatic cone-shaped peak that controls the valley landscape for miles around in northwest Iran.Though there is no building noticeable to contemporary sightseers, the cone was once enclosed by fortified walls and topped by a religious sanctuary that archaeologists recommend dates to 900 BC.As a passionate visitor, if you are reasonably healthy, climbing to the craters edge need to take less than 15 minutes.
The path is muddy however apparent, zigzagging up from the close-by Takab road about 4km south of the primary Takht-e Soleyman ruins.Meaning Solomons Prison , the website did not acquire its great religious significance up until the early Sassanid duration when Takht-e Soleyman-- then known as Shiz-- was established as a Zoroastrian spiritual sanctuary (in all probability having actually changed nearby Zendan-e Soleyman as an earlier center of cult activity) in the early to mid-5th century CE.The UNESCO-registered Takht-e Soleyman ( Solomons Throne ) is an ancient separated sanctuary that bears testimony to numerous ages of the countrys history.
It is situated in the southeastern highlands of West Azarbaijan province neglecting a lake with a backdrop of a snowcapped mountain range.Takht-e Soleyman also accepts a fire temple, which was originally constructed of mud-brick (although foundations were generally of rough stone), however large areas of the complex, including the fire temple itself, were rebuilt of stone and fired bricks in subsequent centuries.
The fire temple is flanked on either side (east and west) by 2 other cultic structures.
To the west, on the other side of a long main corridor, a second fire temple might have functioned as a personal place of worship for the royal family.
Positioned to the east of the main fire temple was the temple of the goddess Anahita, who had specific value to the royal house and the warrior class-- both of which were served by the local fire altar.According to the Britannica Encyclopedia, the surrounding landscape of the sanctuary was probably first inhabited sometime in the 1st millennium BC.
Some building and construction on the mound itself dates from the early Achaemenian dynasty (559-- 330 BC), and there are traces of settlement activity from the Parthian period.UNESCO says the site has strong symbolic and spiritual significance related to fire and water-- the principal factor for its profession from ancient times-- and stands as an exceptional statement of the continuation of a cult associated to fire and water over some 2,500 years.
Located here, in an unified structure influenced by its natural setting, are the remains of an extraordinary ensemble of royal architecture of Persias Sasanian dynasty (3rd to 7th centuries).
Integrated with the palatial architecture is an exceptional example of a Zoroastrian sanctuary; this structure at Takht-e Soleyman can be considered an important prototype.
Moreover, the 10-ha residential or commercial property includes Tepe Majid, an archaeological mound culturally related to Zendan-e Soleyman; the mountain to the east of Takht-e Soleyman that functioned as a quarry for the website; and Belqeis Mountain 7.5 km to the northeast, on which are the remains of a Sasanian-era castle.
The historical heritage of the Takht-e Soleyman ensemble is more enriched by the Sasanian town, located in the 7,438-ha landscape buffer zones.Under tourists eyesHere is a selection of comments that visitors to the mountainous site have actually posted to TripAdvisor, one of the most popular travel sites worldwide: ImpressiveA brief hike of about 15min brings you to the top of this mountain.
Its remarkable to see the very deep crater and read the info brochure in English about its advancement.
The ruins themselves are unworthy checking out.
(StefanBaW235 from Biberach, Germany)Hike up historyThis is an extinct volcano with an empty crater.
You do a simple walking up halfway through the mountain or go the rest which is a medium hike and takes an overall of 20-30 minutes.
You see a lot of birds flying around considering that they nested inside the volcanic crater.
You see a great view of Takht-e Soleyman from up here too.
(AliG kind San Francisco, CA)A volcanic mountain with historyEvil spirits were once locked up in this mountain.
This is the story.
True or not, it doesnt matter.
The mountain is excellent and near the historical site of Takht-e Soleyman.
It deserves climbing the edge of the volcano and looking within, and odor ...
the devilish smell of sulfur.
(marekp59 from Gdansk, Poland)Difficult to climbThis is an extremely excellent site with a remarkable history.
It stands apart from the landscape incredibly.
I managed to climb up three-quarters of the way up but found it too steep and difficult to arrive and so was hugely disappointed.
My partner and our guide succeeded and informed me about the fantastic, deep pit at the top.
The majority of people would manage the climb.
(Sus1952 from Palmerston North, New Zealand; examined: Apr.
2019)Wow an incredible placeThis is well worth the reach succeed.
Looking down into the crater was a terrific experience.
Also sensational views from the top.
Know there are no bathrooms.
(Youngone51 from New Plymouth, New Zealand)Doorway to HellA small hill simply off the roadway and a 10-min reach look into this volcanic crater from the rim.
Its extremely rewarding! (Markus U from Modling, Austria)AFM