UNESCO World Heritage Site is a collection of historical, cultural and natural sites registered by UNESCO. There are many forests, mountains, ponds, deserts, attractions, monuments and ancient cities around the world listed on the UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Iran. These sites belong to all human beings under the World Heritage Convention, and any state, regardless of religion or race, is obliged to protect and preserve them.
Each year, UNESCO member states submit to UNESCO a list of their historical, cultural and natural monuments for registration as a World Heritage Sites in Iran Protection and maintenance of sites listed in the UNESCO World Heritage List will be the responsibility of all member states.
In recent years, Iran has attracted visitors from many parts of the world. As one of the oldest civilizations in the world, Iran has many attractions for tourists. When it comes to UNESCO World Heritage in Iran, the unconscious value of preserving the historical, cultural, and natural heritage of ancestors on this land is of paramount importance. There are currently two UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Iran as natural monuments (Lut Desert and Hyrcanian forests).
Introducing UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Iran:
6. Arg Bam Cultural Complex (2004)
9. Armenian Church Complex (2008)
10. Shushtar water structures (2009)
11. Historical Collection of Tabriz Bazaar (2010)
12. Sheikh Safiuddin Ardebili Khaneghah (2010)
14. Isfahan Jame Mosque (2012)
19. Cultural Landscape of Meymand (2015)
20. Iranian aqueduct (Qanat) (2016)
21. Lut Desert – Natural effect (2016)
22. Historical City of Yazd (2017)
23. Sassanid-Fars Ancient Collection (2018)
24. Hyrcanian Forests-Second natural work of Iran in UNESCO list, after Lut desert (2019)
1.Tchogha Zanbil (1979)
Chogha Zanbil is the first Iranian site registered on the UNECSO World Heritage sites in Iran in 1979. The Tchogha Zanbil was built around 1250 BC by the King Untash Napirisha in an ancient Elamite complex in modern day in the Khuzestan province of Iran. It was built principally to honor Inshushinak, the great God.
The ensemble contains the preserved and largest ziggurat of Mesopotamia. The temple located at the center in a cube building, is related to the Sumerian god Inshushinak. Also Ishnikarab and Kiririsha temples are situated on the north-western side of the ziggurat. The contemporary ziggurat is approximately 25 m high, since the last two stages, have been damaged which originally ascended to a height of 60 m.
2. Persepolis (1979)
The most glorious of Fars province, the one that really indicates the honor and greatness of Iran is undoubtedly Persepolis and its landscape, the capital of the Achaemenid Empire. Persepolis or Takht-e-Jamshid which is another UNESCO world heritage site in Iran is situated 70 Km northeast of Shiraz, at the foot of Kuh-i-Rahmat (Mountain of Mercy) in the plain of Marv Dasht.
Fars became a major power in the 5th century BC. Persepolis was also constructed during this period. It has been proved that it was Darius I or the Great, who ordered the construction of Persepolis, particularly the terrace and the main palaces inspired by Mesopotamian models between 518 and 516 B.C. The construction of Persepolis was followed during the reign of his son, King Xerxes the Great.
The Takht-e-Jamshid platform indicates that the Audience Hall of the Apadana, the Throne Hall, and the Gate of Xerxes, were located at the northern part of the Terrace, representing the official section of the Persepolis complex. On the other hand, the Palaces of Darius and Xerxes, the Harem, the Council Hall are situated at the other part of Terrace.
Persepolis was finally destroyed by Alexander the Great, who sent the main force of his army to Persepolis in the year 330 BC by the Royal road. Persepolis was used as the ceremonial capital of Persia where the subordinate nations of the Persian Empire brought gifts to the Persian kings who celebrated Persian New Year.
3. Imam Square (1979)
Naqsh-e Jahan Square, known as Imam Square, is a square located at the center of Modern Isfahan city, Iran. The Naqsh-e-Jahan was constructed in 1598, when Shah Abbas, decided to move the capital from Qazvin to Isfahan and became the place where the Shah and the people met. This square is also another example of UNESCO world heritage sites in Iran.
The Naqsh-e-Jahan Square with 89,600 square meters is surrounded by historical buildings from the Safavid era. The Ali Qapu Palace is located on the western side, while the Shah Mosque is situated on the southern side of this square. On the eastern side is the Sheikh Lotf Allad Mosque and the northern side opens into the Isfahan Historical Complex Bazaar. Among all the four monuments, the Lotfollah Mosque, opposite the palace, was the first to be built. Ali Qapu has a large and massive structure, with 48 m high in six floors, fronted with a wide terrace whose ceiling is inlaid and supported by wooden columns. The Isfahan Bazaar complex which can be traced back to thousand years ago to Seljuq dynasty but it is mainly from the Safavid period. It is a historical bazaar and one of the oldest and largest bazaars of the Middle East. It is a vaulted, two kilometer street linking the old city with the new.
The Masjid Shah can be intended as the Crown Jewel of Naqsh-e-Jahan square and it would replace the much older Jameh Mosque in conducting the Friday prayers.
4. Throne of Solomon (2003)
Takht-e-Soleiman archaeological site in northwestern Iran is located in a valley in the Volcanic Mountains region of Iran. The site contains the main Zoroastrian refuge that was rebuilt during the Ilkhanid period (Mongols – 5th century) and the Anahita Temple dating to the Sassanid period (5th and 6th centuries). This other example of UNESCO world heritage sites in Iran is called Solomon’s throne and is of symbolic importance. The designers of the fireplace, palace and outline that have been completely influenced by Islamic architecture show the historical value of the complex.
5. Pasargadae (2004)
Pasargadae was the first royal capital of the Achaemenid Empire, founded by Cyrus I, Cyrus the Great, in the sixth century BC. The palaces, gardens and tomb of Cyrus are outstanding examples of the first phase of royal art and architecture in the Achaemenid period and a unique evidence of Persian civilization. There are significant remnants of this 2-acre site that is a great testimony. These remains attest to the existence of the tomb of Cyrus I, the royal gate, the amphitheater, the palace, and the garden. Pasargadae was the capital of the first multicultural empire in Western Asia to link the eastern Mediterranean and Egypt to the Indian River. It was the first empire in the world to respect the cultural diversity of different peoples. In the style of Achaemenid architecture this is quite evident and that is the reason for being registered on the list of UNESCO world heritage sites in Iran.
6. Arg Bam Cultural Complex (2004)
Bam is located in a desert environment on the southern margin of the Iranian plateau. The city dates back to the Achaemenid period (fourth to sixth century BC) and its importance is due to the ancient Silk Road route. Living in this oasis was possible due to Iranian ingenuity in the construction of aqueducts and the management of underground water, which remains to be seen in this city. And that is why it is registered on the list of UNESCO world heritage sites in Iran.
The Citadel of Bam is a perfect example of an ancient city with all its native elements used in its construction. It was the largest clay structure in the world that was almost completely destroyed by a magnificent earthquake on 2nd of January. An earthquake that devastated the entire city of Bam and its suburbs.
7. Soltanieh City and Dome
It is the capital of the Ilkhanid dynasty founded by the Mongols and now located in Zanjan province. Clay dome called “Soltanieh dome” is one of the most important masterpieces of Persian architecture built between the ages of 3 and 5 AH, on the order of the Mongol king Oljaytu (known as Sultan Muhammad Khodabandeh). The octagonal building is covered in a turquoise dome of 3 meters high and its architecture is in the style of two-ply dome that distinguishes it from other buildings of its time. The main body of the building is entirely made of clay and the dome itself is turquoise tiles decorated in a mosaic way. This attraction is also another example of UNESCO world heritage sites in Iran.
8. Bistoon (2006)
Bistoon lies along the ancient route of the East-West exchange that links the Great Plateau of Iran to Mesopotamia, and has existed from prehistoric times to the Median, Achaemenid, Sassanian, and Ilkhan periods. The main feature of this archeological site is the inscription of Darius the Great, one of the most important and famous historical documents in the world. The inscription, carved at a height of 2 meters above the Prava Mountains after the victory and the capture of Geomata Magus by Darius the Great, is the oldest Elamite document referring to the revolt against the king.
After the Achaemenid rule was handed over to Darius the Great, the government’s claimants rebelled against the Achaemenid borders and confronted Darius with numerous problems. The first two years of Darius’s rule restored order and security and repelled the riots across the borders, and finally after his victories in the year 522 BC. Darius decided to record a description of his forebears on the throne. He chose Bistoon Rock for this purpose and today this site has been enlisted as on the list of UNESCO world heritage sites in Iran.
9. Armenian Church Complex (2008)
This northwestern diocese of Iran consists of three churches: San Tadaos, San Stepanos, and the Temple of Forces, among which is the oldest of the Tadaos. These buildings are valuable examples of magnificent and world-class Armenian architecture. These churches have been the center of Armenian religion and religious interactions with other religions in other areas. Preserved and introduced today as an example of UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Iran, Armenian churches are the last surviving remnants of Armenian culture and architecture in northwestern Iran and are still welcomed by Iranian Christians and neighboring countries.
10. Shushtar water structures (2009)
The Shushtar Aquatic System is a testament to Iranian creative genius and intelligence in designing water systems in the time of Darius the Great. The structure dates back to the fifth century BC, the invention of two water distribution channels from the Karun River at that time. The Gregor Canal, one of the two ancient canals, is still used to supply Shushtar water. The structure looks like a beautiful cliff consisting of numerous waterfalls that fall into a basin below, draining water from that basin into a “middle water” plain in the south of Shushtar city and the water needed for the garden. It provides people with up to 5,000 hectares of land. The complex also includes a fortress, operation center, control and monitoring of the irrigation system, a tower that measured the level of water, a number of bridges and ponds, which is evidence of the genius of ancient Iranian scientists. This fabulous masterpiece has been enlisted as another example of UNESCO world heritage sites in Iran and many tourists travel to Iran every year to visit its beauty.
11. Historical Collection of Tabriz Bazaar (2010)
Tabriz has been the cradle of cultural exchanges since the earliest times, and Tabriz Historical Market Complex was one of the most important businesses on the Silk Road. The historic market of Tabriz consists of brick buildings that are interconnected and several open spaces with different uses. As it is the longest roofed arcade, it has been enlisted as another example of UNESCO world heritage sites in Iran.
Tabriz and its bazaar have been well-known for centuries and had been the capital of Iran during the Safavid era before it was chosen as the capital of East Azerbaijan Province. Later, with the transfer of the capital to Tehran, Tabriz continued to maintain its reputation. The historic market of Tabriz is a successful and vivid example of the commodity exchange system in ancient Iran and reflects the authentic Iranian culture.
12. Sheikh Safiuddin Ardebili Khaneghah (2010)
Sheikh Safi al-Din Ardebili’s Khaneghah is a building inspired by traditional Iranian architecture to make the most of the space available. The library, the mosque, the school, a water reservoir, a hospital, a home office, a bakery and a number of office spaces are set up in a confined space and in the best way possible. Access to the shrine of Sheikh Safi is possible in seven parts, representing the seven stages of Sufi mysticism, separated by eight gates, referring to eight Sufi attitudes. The complex includes a fully preserved interior and exterior and a rich collection of decorative and antique objects and motives used inside the building. The Sheikh Safi Khanate which is another example of UNESCO world heritage sites in Iran is a perfect example of medieval Islamic architecture.
13. Persian Garden (2011)
Persian gardens in different provinces are listed as the UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Iran. These gardens showcase the variety of design in the creation of Iranian gardens in accordance with the climates of different regions of Iran. The principles of these gardens date back to the time of Cyrus the Great, the sixth century BC. All of these gardens are divided into four main parts in design, and “water” plays a central role both in the design and decoration of Iranian gardens and in the irrigation of trees.
The Persian garden is a symbol of heaven and the four elements of heaven, earth, water and plants in Zoroastrianism. The gardens, each constructed in different periods, also feature complex mansions, corridors and irrigation systems, and have influenced the art of garden design even in India and Spain.
Pasargad Gardens, Finn Kashan Gardens, Eram Shiraz Gardens, Shazadeh Kerman Gardens, Abbas Abad Mazandaran Gardens, Dolatabad Gardens Yazd, Akribia Birjand Gardens, Ishtahan Gardens and Pahlavan Pour Mehriz Gardens have been listed as UNESCO World Heritage Sites.
14. Isfahan Jame Mosque (2012)
Esfahan’s Jame Mosque, located in the historic center of the city, is a unique and stunning example of the evolution of mosque architecture over the course of two centuries. The mosque is, in fact, the oldest protected building of its kind in Iran and a great example of the design and construction of future mosques in Central Asia. The complex covers more than 6,000 square meters and is also the first Islamic monument inspired by the architecture of the Sassanid palaces, built in four nights. The construction of floor domes is an innovation in architecture that later inspired many architects throughout Islamic countries. Special details have been used in its construction to decorate the building, which has been on display for more than a thousand years in the development of Islamic art. Because this mosque shows the evolution of the mosques in Iran since the oldest time of construction of mosques, it has been registered as an excellent example of mosque perfection throughout the history of Islam in Iran. Thus, it is enlisted as one of the UNESCO world heritage sites in Iran.
15. Dome of Qabous (2012)
Qabous Dome, also known as Kavoos Dome, is a 4-meter-tall tower built in the year 6 by Qabous bin Vashmir, ruler and literary critic, in the vicinity of the ruins of the ancient city of Gorgan in northeastern Iran. The tower has witnessed cultural exchanges between Central Asian settlers and ancient Iranian civilization. The Kavus dome is the only surviving monument to the Mongol invasions in the 5th and 6th centuries. Once a center of art and science, the city has been ravaged by these tribes many times, and there is nothing left of objective historical documents other than the dome of Qaboos.
Kavus Dome is a prominent example of technology integration in Islamic architecture that has influenced numerous buildings in Iran, Anatolia and Central Asia. These traits have made it among the UNESCO world heritage sites in Iran. The tower was built of clay and used complex geometric shapes and the cone-shaped adobe roof itself is a masterpiece of Islamic architecture. The Kavus dome appears to represent the development of mathematics and science in the Islamic world.
16. Golestan Palace (2013)
The magnificent Golestan Palace is a masterpiece of the Qajar period. It is in fact, an objective embodiment of the integration of Persian art and architecture influenced by European artists. Remarkably separated from the adjacent streets by a wall, the palace is one of the oldest buildings in Tehran, which was also the residential family palace of the Qajar government. Around the Golestan Palace there is a magnificent garden with beautiful trees and a large swimming pool. The ancient architectural features of the palace and the objects used to decorate it go back to the 9th century.
Golestan Palace is the center of Qajar art and architecture and inspires artists and architects in Iran today. The palace offers a new style of Persian art in combination with 5th century architecture. This marvelous piece of architecture is another example of UNESCO world heritage sites in Iran.
17. Burned City (2014)
Burnt City is located at the intersection of the Bronze Age trade routes with the Iranian Plateau. The brick remains of the burnt city bear witness to the existence of the first urban complex in eastern Iran. Built around 5 BC, it had a very high population during the four major periods up to 5 BC, and during that time many areas were built in the city: monuments, detached houses, cemeteries and numerous constructions are a major part of the city. The deviations of water flows and climate change appear to be the likely reasons for its inhabitants leaving the city at the beginning of the second millennium. The remains of buried construction in the soil and numerous objects discovered in the city remain intact due to the arid climate of the area, and therefore the burnt city is a documentary with rich information on urban communities and urban communications in the third millennium. Thus it has been easily registered among the UNESCO world heritage sites in Iran.
The world’s first successful brain surgery, the world’s first artificial eye, the world’s oldest backgammon, and the world’s first animation are originally from the burnt city. This place is enlisted on world heritage sites list in Iran because it has revealed secrets about the ancient civilization of the people living nearby.
18. Susa (2015)
The historical complex of Susa, located in southwestern Iran on the margins of the Zagros Mountains, comprises a group of ancient cemeteries on the eastern side of the Shapur River and the Ardeshir Palace opposite the river. The archaeological excavations in the Susa area reveal extraordinary administrative and residential structures. The complex comprises several layers of ultra-sophisticated urban installations spanning from the late millennium BC to the thirteenth century. Susa Archaeological Site is a special example of Persian and Parthian culture that has unfortunately lost much of it. This site is also another example among UNESCO world heritage sites in Iran.
19. Cultural Landscape of Meymand (2015)
Meymand is a semi-arid region on the margin of a valley in the southernmost part of the central mountains of Iran. The village’s economy is made up of semi-nomadic farming, with locals raising their livestock in mountain ranges and spending their spring and autumn in temporary settlements. In the winter months, the tribes of Meymand spend their days in the outermost parts of the valley and in the caverns of Khakand, called “Kamer”. Resorts that have no resemblance to the homes of arid and desert areas. This cultural landscape seems to be just a small example of the kind of lifestyle in the not so long past of great Iran. A lifestyle in which the villagers also moved with their livestock.
20. Iranian aqueduct (Qanat) (2016)
In arid regions of Iran, agricultural and permanent installations are irrigated by an ancient aqueduct system. This system drives water along underground tunnels by drilling upstream of valleys and using alluvial aquifers. The aqueduct system includes areas for workers to rest, water tanks and posts. This system, which traditionally manages water distribution, is the best way to share and distribute fair and sustainable water in arid and desert areas. The aqueducts are credible documents for introducing rich cultural traditions and civilizations in arid and dry desert areas. The novelty of this innovation has made it be enlisted as an example of intangible UNESCO world heritage sites in Iran.
21. Lut Desert – Natural effect (2016)
The Lut desert, which we all know as the “Lot of Plains”, is located in southeastern Iran. Between May and October, this tropical and dry area is affected by violent winds, causing the sand to move and cause soil erosion on a very large scale. As a result of this erosion, valuable natural beauty and landscapes are created in the Lut Desert. Much of this desert is composed of rocky areas and barren lands. This desert is a typical example of geological processes. Desert Lot is the first natural monument in Iran listed in the UNESCO World Heritage sites in Iran.
22. Historical City of Yazd (2017)
The historic city of Yazd is located in the center of the Iranian plateau, about 300 kilometers southeast of Isfahan and close to the Silk Road. It is a perfect example of human adaptation to the harsh nature of the desert and dealing with its limited resources. The aqueduct system in the city is aqueduct designed to transport underground water. The unique urban architecture of Yazd is one of the few examples that has survived the brutal invasion of modernism. The historical part of Yazd city, the aqueduct system, traditional houses, markets are what have made Yazd enlisted as a UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Iran.
23. Sassanid-Fars Ancient Collection (2018)
The collection of seven archaeological sites is situated in three cities in the southeast of Fars Province: Firozabad, Bishapour and Sarvestan; it comprises palaces and urban structures dating back to the Sassanid period. Among these sites are works that were commissioned by Ardeshir Babakan and Shapur I. This ancient collection is a very valuable example of the proper exploitation of natural topography and the influence of Achaemenid culture, Parthians and Roman art that had a significant impact on Iranian architecture. This collection was registered as Number 23 in the UNESCO world heritage sites in Iran.
24. Hyrcanian Forests-Second natural work of Iran in UNESCO list, after Lut desert (2019)
The Hyrcanian forests, located on the southern margin of the Caspian Sea, are the second natural heritage of our country listed on the UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Iran. There are currently two bird species and two mammal species in this rich ecosystem. Also, nine native plants (trees and shrubs) have been identified so far in these forests. Remaining from the Third Geological Age, these forests are among the world’s oldest natural heritage.
Hyrcanian forests are spread in five provinces of North Khorasan, Semnan, Golestan, Mazandaran and Gilan and on the southern margin of the Caspian Sea and they are broad-leaved and reptile forests.
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