Hostels in PERSEPOLIS, IRAN

Persepolis – Reliving Iran’s Glorious Past

Persepolis, located along River Pulwar in Iran’s Fars province, was ancient Persia’s ceremonial capital. It is also called as Parseh and Takht-e Jamshid.

History
Persepolis’ history goes back to 518 B.C when it was founded by Darius I as the seat of Achaeminian Empire. The city’s splendour lasted for two centuries before its majesty was reduced to flames by the conquest of Alexander the Great in 330 B.C. It is said that 5,000 camels and 20,000 mules were required for carrying the treasures looted from the city. The ruined city was rediscovered in 1620 A.D.

Popular Places and Attractions
The city is a UNESCO World Cultural Heritage Site and is one of the most majestic pieces of architecture. The Apadana, its monumental stairways and huge columns (today only 13 out of 72 stand there) is definitely the most magnificent and largest Persepolis building. The stairways are adorned with beautifully executed relief rows reciting the glory of the Achaeminians. The Throne Hall, its stone doorways and majestic stone bulls was the storehouse as well as the reception hall for the empire’s subject nations, 23 of them all over the world.

The Tachara Palace also called as the Mirror Hall is popular for its finely polished walls, huge columns and halls. Similarly the Darius Palace contains columns and stairway reliefs depicting servants carrying food and animals for the king. The western and eastern doorjamb reliefs depict the king with his formal dress and attendants. The southern and northern doorways contain pictures of the king combating the monsters.

Some other majestic attractions in Persepolis are the royal apartments of Council Hall, Xerxes’ Palace, the Treasury, Xerxes’ Gateway (gate of all nations), the King of Kings’ Tomb and the Audience Relief. Pasargadae, Naqsh-e-rajab and Naqsh-e-Rostam are some interesting historical sites located around the city.

Getting Around
Buses and taxis (shuttle and private) are the modes of transport that are most convenient for non-Persian tourists. It is suggested to get your taxi through reputable and licensed “telephone taxi” agencies easily found in the nearby city of Shiraz, a good guide to smooth travel is to keep some small notes and change handy to pay for your journey.

Places for Entertainment
Restaurants and cafes are the usual places for going out although there is really not much entertainment happening in the city. Sometimes sound and light shows are put up at the historical complex of the city.

Accommodation
There are minimal tourist accommodation facilities in Persepolis itself. Tourists are advised to stay in the hotels of the nearby city, Shiraz. Luxurious as well as budget hotels can be found here, youth hostels, guesthouse and motels.

Currency
The official currency of Ian is the Iranian Rial (IRR), for the latest exchange rates check the news and internet.. Lack of tourist ATM’s make the carrying of hard currency important here. The acceptability of credit cards and Traveller’s cheques is very low although MasterCard is acceptable at few places.

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