Ancient City of Istakhr

🕰️When was it built?

Istakhr grew up as a separate city after the decline of Persepolis. From the 3rd century BC to the early 3rd century AD it was the seat of the local kings of Pars, and it flourished further in the Sasanian era. From 224 to 226 AD it was also, for a short time, the first Sasanian capital.

🏛️What was it built for?

The city was one of the centres of government and religion in Pars, and the house of Sasan rose from here. After Shiraz took shape, its importance slowly faded, and in the Buyid era it was abandoned and fell into ruin. The city lies in the valley of the Pulvar River, at the edge of the Marvdasht plain.

👀What you will see

• At the spot known as Puzeh-ye Takht-e Tavus, several carved stones stand on top of each other in the shape of a gateway.
• The mounds opposite Puzeh-ye Takht-e Tavus, on the left of the road, are the remains of the bank of the moat around the city.
• East of these mounds, pieces of broken columns and stone capitals lie scattered beside the gateways.
• Beside the stone gateway is a pool with several fountains, with dressed stones around it.

💡Something interesting

In his book Farsnameh, Ibn al-Balkhi credits the founding of Istakhr to Kayumars, which is a legendary account. Limited excavations of the city were carried out in the first half of the 20th century by Ernst Herzfeld and a team from the University of Chicago.

🎒Good to know before you go