Persepolis (greek), commonly known as Takht-e
Jamshid by the Iranians, is a complex of palaces used by the Achaemenid kings as their
summer capital until Alexander the Great destroyed it. Built on the slope of a mountain now
known as Rahmat, the construction of this site was completed over a span of 150
years.
The
palace consists of a number of stairways, columns, expansive terraces, rock paintings, and
statues.
The Apadana Palace is the most impressive, and its interiors
are beautifully adorned with colored tiles representing animals and trees. Apadana was built by
Darius the Great between 515 BC and 485 BC.
Other
buildings situated in Takht-e Jamshid are the Hadish Palace, Tachar
Palace, and royal treasury.
The
Persepolis is situated about 44 miles northeast of the city of Shiraz.
Persepolis
Map
|