Iran - Firuzabad Ensemble

"The ensemble at Firuzabad comprises, within a 12 km diameter area, such archaeological sites as the City of Gur, the Palace of Ardashir (Atashkadeh), Qal'eh Dokhtar fortress, bas reliefs from the time of Ardashir (the founder of the Sassanian dynasty), the Pahlavi inscription of Mehr-Nerse and Tangab Bridge. This ensemble embodies the political, historic, cultural and artistic developments of the early Sassanian period. The City of Gur covers a perfect circle 2 km in diameter, and 8 km away from it, the palace of Ardashir stands beside a pond on the bank of the western branch of Tangab river (Firuzabad). The Qal'eh Dokhtar fortress stands atop the mountain adjoining Tangab river and the ensemble built 4 km away from the palace of Aldashir. At the foot of the Qal'eh Dokhtar fortress the remains of a Sassanian bridge, and on its opposite body the bas-relief depicting the crowning of Ardashir, the Pahlavi Sassanian inscription of Mehr-Nerse, from the time of Yazdgerd II, and at a small distance, between the palace and the fortress, the bas-relief depicting the victory of Ardashir over Ataban V, the last Parthian king, are situated."

Source: UNESCO World Heritage Tentative List

Palace of Ardeshir, Firuz Abad, Iran. It is a tentative list for UNESCO World Heritage nomination. Mailed March 27, 2024. Received April 30, 2024. Thanks to Boris.

Iran - Serial Nomination of Tehrans' Modern Architectural Heritage

"Development in the historical structure of the Iranian architecture has begun from the second half of the 19th century and contemporaneous with establishment of Dar al-Fonun College which was the first training center for new sciences in Iran since 1851. At the outset of this development, there was a tendency toward the European architecture and employment of some elements of the Neo-classicism. But the early decades of the 20th century and contemporaneous with the end of the Qajarid dynasty and beginning of the Pahlavids, modernization was precipitated. Along with the elites’ and individuals’ interests, new centralist and bureaucratic government made this choice of development. The very crystal clear instances of such development are urban changes and architectural properties for example contemporaneous establishment of a large number of public buildings such as schools, universities, industrial factories, state buildings and ministries. In this way, a number of architects who were familiar with architectural changes of the 19th and 20th centuries in Europe found job opportunities. This group of architects consisted of a number of Iranian and several foreign architects who were the pioneers of such changes. Finally, in 1940, they established the first architecture college in Iran.....

Late Modern Style
There exist a number of experiences within the Modern style that tried to include some elements of vernacular culture such as Azadi Tower, Imam Sadegh University and the headquarters of the Iranian Ministry of Cultural Heritage, Tourism and Handicrafts. In this style, the architects tried to give some kind of local identity to the Modern architecture that was employed in Iran..."

Source: UNESCO World Heritage Tentative List

A nice postcard of Azadi Tower in Azadi Square, Teheran, Iran. Nice stamps too. Thanks to Ingrid.

Iran - The Historical–Cultural Axis of Fin, Sialk, Kashan

"Soleymanieh Spring in Fin (Kashan) is the origin of life in this region and generated civilizations like Sialk that belong to 6th millennium BC and other instances onward. This spring generated Garden of Fin, the most prominent Iranian garden. The historical region of Kashan is an especial example of civilization from early Islamic period onward. This region contains several properties like mosques, bazaar, tekyehes (a place where Shiite Moslems mourn the martyrdom of an Imam), houses and industrial units."

Source: UNESCO World Heritage Tentative List

Postcard 1
Brojerdiha House, Kashan. From postcard set of Iran the Ancient Sun - thanks to Fadli of Malaysia.

Postcard 2

Ameriha House, Kashan. From postcard set of Iran the Ancient Sun - thanks to Fadli.

Iran - Taq-e Bostan

"This complex consists of a series of properties from prehistoric to historical periods such as Morad-Hassel Tepe, an ancient village, a Parthian graveyard and a Sassanid hunting ground. The most significant property of the complex belongs to the Sassanid one which comprises of two porticos (large and small Ivans) as well as outstanding bas-reliefs from the same period."

Source: UNESCO World Heritage Tentative List

Taq-e Bustan, Kermanshah, Iran. From postcard set of Iran the Ancient Sun. Thanks to Fadli of Malaysia who bought it from Iran.

Iran - Kerman Historical-Cultural Structure

"One of the most important reasons for establishment of Kerman City is its location as a cross road. From long long ago, this city has been one of the important locations that connect West to East and North to South. Such a specification has had a remarkable influence on construction and development of bazaar, in a way that the commercial zones of the city have been expanded to the outskirts of Kerman. As a result, the commercial axis and city plan have been designed based on the main commercial lines. The south-north line begins from Old Bazaar (Bazaar Kohneh) to Bazaar Aziz i.e. starting from Rigabad Gate to the surroundings of Gabri Gate and the east-west line of Kerman Bazaar that begins from Mosque gate and ends to Arg Square. Such a plan proves its important role and makes the architectural plan of the commercial axis as a cross-shaped intersection which led to be one of the most beautiful Iranian bazaars. Additionally, it provides the most accessibility between the bazaar and the old quarters of the city."

Source: UNESCO World Heritage Tentative List

Ganjali Khan Square, Kerman, Iran. From postcard set of Iran the Ancient Sun. Thanks to Fadli of Malaysia.

Iran - Damavand

"Mount Damavand is the highest elevation about 5628m in Iran. It is an inactive volcanic mountain which was activated in Quaternary Period. It has numerous thermal springs. The peak of Damavand covers permanently snow during the entire year. The most important thermal springs are Ask and Larijan. The Flora and Fauna is very rich and include about 2000 plant species. There are numerous endemic species which are important to Flora of world."

Source: UNESCO World Heritage Tentative List

Mount Damavand. Thanks to Bernard of Malaysia.