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UNITED States President Donald Trump threatened to wipe out Iran’s cultural site. Even though Iran has more than 20 cultural heritage sites protected by Unesco. 5000s-year-old sites relating to religious architecture display high geometry skills, abstract designs and high technical practice.
The Guardian released a list of a number of cultural sites that might disappear if Trump really bombed Iran:
1. Persepolis
Persepolis is the crown jewel of Iran’s archeological site. It is a monumental city complex that was built in the 6th century BC. Built complete with a high terrace, giant stairs and marble palaces and temples.
The city was destroyed several times by immigrants, starting from Alexander the Great, but still left some very well-preserved statues and bas reliefs of bulls, lions, mythical creatures and multicultural citizens of the Achaemeniyah empire.
2. Shah Cheragh Mosque, Shiraz
The name Shah Cheragh means “King of Light”, a mosque with an interior filled with mosaic tiles with geometric designs that create a beautiful cosmic light effect. This is a bleak place of pilgrimage, but the effect is likened to being inside a giant Islamic disco ball.
3. Vank Cathedral
Iran has a long Christian history, especially with regard to Armenia on its northwestern border. Three of the oldest churches in the region are UNESCO world heritage sites. Vank Cathedral, near Isfahan, was built by Armenians who were driven out by the Ottoman war in the 17th century. The interior is patchwork of wall paintings and gold carvings.
4. Isfahan Bridge
Khaju Isfahan Bridge was built in the 17th century. The 130 meter long bridge functions as a dam and floodgates to control the Zayanderud River as well as a crossing facility. The main hallway is a shady general meeting room where tourists can enjoy the tea in the tea house.
5. Sheik Lotfallah Mosque, Isfahan
This mosque is not the largest mosque, but its interior design is the most luxurious considering that it was built for members of the kingdom rather than the general public.
The interior is decorated with the most beautiful tile decorations in the whole world. The dome section has a very intricate geometric tile decoration, said to resemble a peacock’s tail – evidence of countless millions of hours of care and labor.
6. Imam Reza Mosque, Mashhad
This is the largest mosque in the world, one of the holiest sites in Iran with more than 25 thousand visitors each year. In addition, in the compound of the mosque there is the tomb of Imam Reza, the eighth imam of Shia Muslims. The complex consists of a mosque, a field, a madrasa and a museum that holds many historical artifacts.
7. Pasargadae
Pasargadae was the main capital of the Akhemeniyah empire. built by Cyrus the Great in a distinctive style with spectacular columned castles and other buildings placed opposite large gardens divided by waterways.
This influential Persian garden style is a prototype for Asian design, inspiration for the Indian Taj Mahal and Spanish Alhambra. The buildings are mostly remains, although one structure that survives is the tomb of Cyrus himself.
8. Daniel’s Tomb
The prophet Daniel is believed to be buried in this building in the city of Susa. Daniel’s tomb, with its distinctive cone dome, was first recorded in the 12th century and is still a popular pilgrimage site.
9. Bam Fortress
The largest brick building in the world, dates from the sixth century BC. This is more of a city on a hill than a single building, which spans 180,000 square meters (44 hectares), with a central fort surrounded by streets, houses and markets, all surrounded by seven-meter high walls. Most of the fort was destroyed by the earthquake in 2003 but reconstruction has been going on since then.
10. Gonbad-e Kavus
This is another example of ancient Iran’s superiority in engineering and style. The 50-meter-high burial tower dates from the beginning of the 11th century, and a millennium later still seems to be the tallest brick tower in the world. [antaranews/photo special]
