Pasargad

Pasargad was the first dynastic capital of the Achaemenid Empire, founded by Cyrus II the Great, in shiraz. Its palaces, gardens, and the mausoleum of Cyrus are outstanding examples of the first phase of royal Achaemenid art and architecture and exceptional testimonies of Persian civilization. Particularly noteworthy vestiges in the 160-ha site include The Mausoleum of Cyrus II; Tall-e Takht, a fortified terrace; and a royal ensemble of gatehouse, audience hall, residential palace and gardens. Pasargadae was the capital of the first great multicultural empire in Western Asia. Spanning the Eastern Mediterranean and Egypt to the Hindu River, it is considered to be the first empire that respected the cultural diversity of its different peoples. This was reflected in Achaemenid architecture, a synthetic representation of different cultures.

Founded in the 6th century BC in the heartland of Fars province, Pasargadae was the earliest capital of the Achaemenid (First Persian) Empire. The city was created by Cyrus the Great with contributions from the different peoples who comprised the first great multicultural empire in Western Asia. The archaeological remains of its palaces and garden layout as well as the tomb of Cyrus constitute an outstanding example of the first phase of the evolution of royal Achaemenid art and architecture and exceptional testimony to the Achaemenid civilization in Persia. The “Four Gardens” type of royal ensemble, which was created in Pasargadae, became a prototype for Western Asian architecture and design.

Perspolis 

The World Heritage Listed center of the great Persian Empire, the ceremonial capital of the Achaemenians, and the showpiece of Achaemenian art, Persepolis (Capital of Persia in Greek) is a historic site in Fars Province, 60 km to the northeast of Shiraz. Iranians call it Takht-e Jamshid (throne of Jamshid), Jamshid being the first, probably mythical, ruler of Iran. This magnificent court was the summer residence of the Achaemenian emperors and their official reception quarters. It must be by some strange accident of history that Persepolis was never mentioned in foreign records, for it was here that representatives of all the varied peoples of the empire gathered to pay homage, and bring tribute, to the King of Kings, probably each spring, at the time of the ancient Nowruz festival. Although set on fire and destroyed by Alexander in a gesture symbolizing the destruction of Persian imperial power, it’s still impressive ruins permit a fairly complete reconstruction of its original appearance.

Eram Garden 

Visiting the historic Eram Garden is one of the top things to do in Shiraz. In the center of the garden, there is an old pavilion, and it is one of the best examples of Persian Gardens. Eram garden was registered as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2011 -the symbol of Persian gardens-and found worldwide fame. Fortunately, at present, it attracts visitors from all walks of life, not only for its historical identity but also for its beauty and as a botanical research center.

Additionally, the garden bears a favorable environment for over 45 plant species and many cultivars to be grown identified, and labeled accordingly. It has a vast area allocated to fruit trees including pomegranates, sour oranges, persimmons, olives, and walnuts. In the rock garden part, a wide range of beautiful sub-tropical plants are on display. The beautiful 200-year-old towering cypress trees are globally known as (Sarv-e- Naz) attract visitors from around the world to the garden.

The building within the garden is regarded as a masterpiece of Qajar era concerning its architecture, painting, tiling, chiseling, and lithography. The columns of the building are covered by monolithic Gandomak slabs of more than two meters high on which poems by famous Iranian literary figures Hafez, Saadi, and Shourideh Shirazi are carved