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Pasargadae, Iran
Pasargadae was built by Cyrus the Great after his conquest of Media around 550 BC, making it the first capital of the Persian Empire. Unlike the later grandeur of Persepolis, Pasargadae's scattered ruins across a high plain have a contemplative simplicity. The Tomb of Cyrus — a modest stone chamber on a stepped plinth — has stood for 2,500 years and inspired Alexander the Great, who ordered its restoration after finding it looted. The site also preserves the oldest known example of the four-fold Persian garden (chahar bagh) layout that influenced gardens from the Taj Mahal to the Alhambra.
explore by interest
Pasargadae is 130km from Persepolis — combine both in a two-day itinerary from Shiraz. The site is exposed on a high plateau with no shade. The simplicity of the Tomb of Cyrus is deeply moving after the grandeur of Persepolis.
March through May and September through November. Summer exceeds 40°C. The Nowruz holiday (March 20-21) sees Iranians gathering at Cyrus' tomb in a powerful cultural tradition.