15 July 2003

Following the inscription of Takht-e Soleiman on UNESCO’s World Heritage List, the protective zone around it will be accurately specified.

The protective zone had previously been specified due to its inscription on the Iran's National Heritage List. Now, the demarcation of the area is put at the top of the list of the group working at the historical site.

"The inscription of Takht-e Soleiman on UNESCO’s World Heritage List forces us to demark in the current year the protective zone of the complex on the spots that are in danger of manipulation or occupation," explained the head of the group based in Takht-e Soleiman Ibrahim Heidari.

Also on the measures that should be undertaken after the addition of the site to the World Heritage List, Heidari said that from now on beside the reports already provided to Iran's Cultural Heritage Organization, other periodical reports of the activities at the complex should be sent out to UNESCO.

The historical complex of Takht-e Soleiman that encompasses the largest Zoroastrian fire temple of Iran was added to the UNESCO's World Heritage List last week.

The ancient, historical fort Takht-e- Suleiman occupies an area of about 124,000 square metres and is one of Iran’s most important ancient monuments, comprising ruins dating back to the Sassanid, Ashkanian, and Islmaic periods.

Takht-e-Suleiman is in the district of Takab at an altitude of 2,400 metres and consists of a majestic building about 20m. High, erected on top of a hill, and a strong stone battlement. One enters the monument through a large gate above which traces of an inscription in Kufic style can be seen, which belongs to the Moghul period and is indicative of the reparation of the place in that period.

The present monument is believed to have originally been the site of the famous Azargoshasb (Shiz) fire-altar and the birth place of Prophet Zaroaster which propagated by Sasanians, and its construction has been attributed to the Parthian and Sassanid sovereigns. 

Other monuments that have been so far inscribed on the list include: Persepolis in Shiraz, Naghsh-e Jahan Square in Isfahan, and Choghazanbil in southwest Iran about 40 km southeast of the ancient city of Susa.

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