Palace of Ardashir, Firuzabad

🕰️When was it built?

The palace was built on the order of Ardashir I (Ardashir Babakan), and the year 224 AD is given for it. In 2018 it was inscribed on the World Heritage List together with other monuments of Firuzabad, Bishapur and Sarvestan, as part of the Sassanid Archaeological Landscape of Fars Region.

🏛️What was it built for?

The palace was designed mostly for gatherings, receptions and showing royal status, even though its walls are thick. Behind the domed halls was a courtyard surrounded by living rooms, so not every space had a defensive purpose.

👀What you will see

• The great iwan at the front leads to the domed halls behind it and marks the entrance of the palace.
• The domes rise on squinches, which cover the corners of a square room so that a dome can sit on top.
• Parts of the stucco decoration survive high on the inner walls, which shows the building was not bare stone from the start.
• The rear courtyard is surrounded by many rooms and was kept apart from the ceremonial halls.
• Outside the north wall, a spring rises from the ground with a natural pool in front of it.

💡Something interesting

One of the palace's names is the Atashkadeh (fire temple) of Firuzabad. The name is linked to its neighbour, the Qomp-e Atashkadeh spring, while the building itself is known as a palace and a place of gathering.

🎒Good to know before you go