Danial shrine is the traditional burial place of the biblical prophet Daniel. He was one of the prophets of Israel (7th century BC). Daniel in Hebrew means “God is my judge”. In the year 606 BC, he was captured to court “Nebuchadnezzar” king of Babylon. The first event that can be considered as the influence of the prophet Daniel was interpretation of Nebuchadnezzar's dream. It claims to be a prophet…

The palace complex of the Persian King Darius the Great (522-486 B.C.), provides unique evidence of the sophistication of Achaemenian architecture and construction. This palace was built 2500 years ago in western Iran, lays at the center of the Persian Empire. Its bull-headed capitals, enamel friezes of richly-clad archers holding spear, figures of noble lions and winged monsters, introduced a new iconography into the ancient Persian world. The palace complex…

Haft Tappeh (seven mounds), located 15 kilometers to the south of the ancient city of Susa, is one of Iran's most significant archeological sites. The archaeological complex of Haft Tappeh contains 14 major visible mounds, the largest rising about 17 m above the surrounding plain which covers an area about 1500 m long and 800 m wide. This is a single level site with almost no evidence of occupation before…

The most famous building in Susa is probably the Apadana, the audience hall of the Palace of Darius which was the winter palace of the Achaemenid kings. The palace was built due to the command of Darius I, around the years 515- 521B.C. It was accessible from the south through the second and third courts. The hall measured 109x109 meter and had thirty-six large columns to support the roof. Three…

Chogha Zanbil is a ruined palace and temple complex from the ancient Elamite city, near Susa in the Khuzestan region of southwestern Iran. The complex consists of a magnificent ziggurat (the largest structure of its kind in Iran), temples, and three palaces. The site was added to UNESCO’s World Heritage List in 1979. Built about 1250 B.C. under the direction of the Elamite ruler Untash-Gal during Middle Elamite period (1500…