Home

Pasargadae

Pasargadae is an archaeological site in Fars Province, Iran, recognized as the capital of the Achaemenid Empire founded by Cyrus the Great in the mid-6th century BCE. It lies near the modern town of Pasargadae, about northeast of Shiraz. The site is most famous for the Tomb of Cyrus the Great, a simple mausoleum set within a walled enclosure, which remains one of the best-preserved royal monuments from the era.

In addition to the tomb, Pasargadae preserves the remains of the ceremonial capital and royal city. These

Historically, Pasargadae served as the empire’s capital under Cyrus and continued to hold ceremonial importance after

Archaeological work at Pasargadae began in the 19th and 20th centuries, with substantial excavations in the

include
the
foundations
of
palaces,
the
layout
of
a
planned
royal
precinct,
and
the
remnants
of
a
fortress
or
citadel
atop
an
artificial
mound.
The
overall
plan
reflects
early
Achaemenid
urban
design
and
the
symbolic
power
of
the
king.
the
capital
was
moved
to
Persepolis
by
Darius
I
in
the
late
6th
century
BCE.
The
site
declined
in
significance
as
later
Persian
centers
rose,
but
its
monuments
continued
to
be
revered
as
a
symbol
of
the
empire’s
origins
and
early
grandeur.
mid-20th
century
and
ongoing
preservation
efforts.
In
2004,
Pasargadae
was
designated
a
UNESCO
World
Heritage
Site
in
recognition
of
its
historical
significance
as
the
birthplace
of
the
Persian
empire
and
as
an
early
example
of
Achaemenid
monumental
architecture.
Today,
the
site
is
a
key
reference
for
scholars
and
visitors
interested
in
ancient
Iran,
while
it
faces
preservation
challenges
common
to
ancient
ruins
in
seismic
and
developmental
contexts.