Takht-e Soleyman in Iran is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and was a center of Zoroastrianism. The Adur Gushasp, the largest fire temple in the world, was located here and was an important location for the Sassanids. The site was destroyed by the Romans and briefly revitalized by the Mongols before being abandoned in the 17th century. Excavations have been ongoing since the early 20th century. The nearby Zendan-e Soleyman is said to have housed monsters imprisoned by King Solomon.
Takht-e Soleyman is an ancient archaeological site located in Iran. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and has been since 2003. Although the site is now badly decayed, it remains an exciting example of early regional architecture.
Takht-e Soleyman is literally translated as the Throne of Solomon and legends surround some sites in the area relating to the historic king. At some point in the first millennium BC people began settling the area and during the Achaemenid dynasty the area began a center of Zoroastrianism.
In the middle part of the millennium the huge Adur Gushasp also known as Azargoshnasb was built in the Takht-e Soleyman. This was a large fire temple of the Zoroastrian faith. Fire temples are the primary place of worship for Zoroastrians, who bring together fire and water to create purity. Adur Gushasp in Takht-e Soleyman was the largest fire temple in the world and served as a center for Zoroastrianism for centuries.
The Adur Gushasp at Takht-e Soleyman was also an important location for the Sassanids. Before ascending the throne to take control of his empire, any potential ruler would make a pilgrimage to the Fire Temple to bow before it in humility.
During the 3rd century BC, when Takht-e Soleyman was under the control of the Sasanian dynasty, the region was further fortified. A huge wall was built to enclose everything and nearly forty towers were erected for defense. Takht-e Soleyman has continued to grow in popularity as a destination for Zoroastrians and over the years the flow of pilgrims has steadily increased.
In the 6th century the complex was further expanded, as Khosrow-Anushrivan built huge temples and lodgings to accommodate the now large and regular flow of pilgrims arriving at Takht-e Soleyman. Chosroes II continued this expansion into the early 7th century.
In the early 7th century Khosrow II was defeated by the Romans and the region fell under Roman control. The Romans looted and destroyed Takht-e Soleyman and the Fire Temple of Adur Gushasp. The temple was never rebuilt and the flow of pilgrims steadily decreased until the site was virtually forgotten.
In the 13th and 14th centuries, when the Mongols invaded the area, the Takht-e Soleyman saw a brief revitalization, with the construction of new buildings. People began to reuse the area and for the next few centuries it survived, though it never prospered again as it did during the Sasanian era. In the 17th century the site was completely abandoned, and remained known but rarely visited for the following centuries. Beginning in the early part of the 20th century, the site began to be excavated by Western archaeologists. Archeology has continued in the area to the present day.
The nearby Solomon’s Prison, or Zendan-e Soleyman, is said to have housed mighty beasts. Legend says that King Solomon imprisoned the monsters that roamed his lands in this immense crater, more than 300 meters deep.
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