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Boutique Hotel Red Palace Showcasing Saudi Arabia's Heritage

It is predicted that the Boutique Hotel Red Palace will be open to tourists by 2025. This hotel, with its exterior façade reflecting its historical significance and interior decoration rivaling the most luxurious hotels in the world, will serve as a testament to Saudi Arabia's rich heritage. The exterior of the hotel will be inspired by traditional Arab architecture and constructed using indigenous materials such as stone and sandstone. This façade will evoke a sense of history and authenticity for the guests. The interior decoration of the hotel will be a blend of traditional and modern styles. The use of exquisite ornaments, luxurious furniture, and striking artworks will create a lavish and magnificent space for guests.

Create: Apr 10, 2024 Edit: Apr 10, 2024 International News

Unique Hotel Unveiled in the Heart of Al Ula, Saudi Arabia

A new and distinctive hotel showcasing the rich cultural heritage of the Al Ula region in Saudi Arabia has opened its doors to guests. Managed by the Curtin Group, the "Dar Tantoura Hotel" is situated in the heart of the ancient city of Al Ula, serving as a gateway to the historical and artistic wonders of the region.With its traditional and authentic architecture, the Dar Tantoura Hotel offers guests a unique experience of the region's history and culture.Featuring 94 luxurious accommodations, including suites and private villas, the hotel provides a serene and pleasant space for relaxation and rejuvenation. Combining traditional architecture, modern amenities, and an ideal location, this hotel delivers a memorable experience for its guests.

Create: Feb 28, 2024 Edit: Feb 28, 2024 International News

Wyndham Hotels & Resorts Enters Poland With Upscale Hotel in the Heart of the Historic City of Wroclaw

Wyndham Hotels & Resorts, the world’s largest hotel franchising company with approximately 9,000 hotels across nearly 95 countries, continues to expand its global footprint with its entry into Poland with the 205-room upscale Wyndham Wroclaw Old Town. Managed by Mogotel Hotel Group, a leading hotel operator in the Baltics, the property is expected to open early next month and will be located in the heart of Wroclaw’s city center. One of the largest cities in Western Poland and home to many renowned universities and research centers, Wroclaw combines rich history and charming architecture with a lively cultural scene across its museums, theatres, art galleries and workshops. Perfectly positioned for exploring the central, picturesque Old Town with many attractions and landmarks, the hotel will feature stylish guest rooms, an expansive atrium and a top floor wellness area, with a state of the art fitness room, sauna and steam bath. The hotel will offer a wide range of food and beverage outlets including a gourmet restaurant, a cozy lounge and bar to relax and socialize. Those traveling for business will also have access the hotel’s 11 meeting rooms, which accommodate a total capacity of over 400 attendees. In addition, the hotel is conveniently located just 10 miles from Wroclaw’s International Copernicus Airport. Wyndham Wroclaw Old Town is the latest addition in Wyndham Hotels & Resorts growing portfolio in Europe, including over 350 operational hotels across 30 countries and a development pipeline of over 90 properties. Wyndham hotels in Poland and around the world participate in Wyndham Rewards, the world’s most generous hotel rewards program with more than 50,000 hotels, vacation club resorts and vacation rentals worldwide.

Create: Jan 11, 2022 Edit: Jan 11, 2022 International News

UNESCO-designated Persepolis launches UAV documentation

Authorities of Persepolis have launched an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) documentation project to help study and analyze the neighboring lands and properties, which encircle the UNESCO World Heritage site in southern Iran. “A documentation project has been commenced on the closest boundaries of Persepolis to gather needed information to monitor possible changes and interventions in this area,” said Hamid Fadaei, the director of the World Heritage site. The first purpose of this documentary is to prepare a cadastral map of agricultural lands in the first-grade boundaries of Persepolis, and the second purpose is to record the current status of historical monuments, including historical sites and hills that are dotted in that area, Fadaei explained. “In that regard, we operate close-range photogrammetry and UAV in the documentation of architecture monuments…..And the project is expected to become to an end by the yearend (March 20, 2022),” the official noted. Persepolis, also known as Takht-e Jamshid, whose magnificent ruins rest at the foot of Kuh-e Rahmat (Mountain of Mercy) is situated 60 kilometers northeast of the city of Shiraz in Fars province. It was the seat of the government of the Achaemenid Empire, though it was designed primarily to be a showplace and spectacular center for the receptions and festivals of the kings and their empire. Persepolis ranks among the archaeological sites which have no equivalent, considering its unique architecture, urban planning, construction technology, and art. This 13-ha ensemble of majestic approaches, monumental stairways, throne rooms (Apadana), reception rooms, and dependencies is classified among the world’s greatest archaeological sites. The city’s immense terrace was begun about 518 BC by Darius the Great, the Achaemenid Empire’s king. On this terrace, successive kings erected a series of architecturally stunning palatial buildings, among them the massive Apadana palace and the Throne Hall (“Hundred-Column Hall”). According to Britannica, the stone was cut with the utmost precision into blocks of great size, which were laid without mortar; many of them are still in place. Especially striking are the huge columns, 13 of which still stand in the audience hall of Darius I (the Great; reigned 522–486 BC), known as the Apadana, the name given to a similar hall built by Darius at Susa. There are two more columns still standing in the entrance hall of the Gate of Xerxes, and a third has been assembled there from its broken pieces. Narratives say that Persepolis was burnt by Alexander the Great in 330 BC apparently as revenge to the Persians because it seems the Persian King Xerxes had burnt the Greek City of Athens around 150 years earlier.

Create: Dec 29, 2021 Edit: Dec 29, 2021 Regional News

Yazd historical properties re-define legal boundaries

New legal boundaries have been defined for five historical properties, which are scattered across Yazd province. The Ministry of Cultural Heritage, Tourism, and Handicrafts has announced the exact legal boundaries of the properties in separate letters to the governor-general of the central province, IRIB reported on Tuesday. In addition to protecting historical sites, the demarcation projects are aimed to prevent further destruction and damage. Esfahanian Garden House, Eqbal Factory, Vazir Castle, Ezzatabad Castle, and Ezzatabad Kushk (small garden pavilion) are those demarcated recently. In July 2017, the historical structure of the city of Yazd was named a UNESCO World Heritage. Wedged between the northern Dasht-e Kavir and the southern Dasht-e Lut on a flat plain, the oasis city enjoys a very harmonious public-religious architecture that dates from different eras. Yazd is usually referred to as a delightful place to stay, or a “don't miss” destination by almost all of its visitors. The city is full of mudbrick houses that are equipped with innovative badgirs (wind catchers), atmospheric alleyways, and many Islamic and Iranian monuments that shape its eye-catching city landscape. It is a living testimony to the intelligent use of limited available resources in the desert for survival. Water is brought to the city by the qanat system. Each district of the city is built on a qanat and has a communal center. The use of earth in buildings includes walls and roofs by the construction of vaults and domes. Houses are built with courtyards below ground level, serving underground areas. Wind-catchers, courtyards, and thick earthen walls create a pleasant microclimate. Partially covered alleyways together with streets, public squares and courtyards contribute to a pleasant urban quality. The city escaped the modernization trends that destroyed many traditional earthen cities.

Create: Dec 29, 2021 Edit: Dec 29, 2021 Regional News

Experts from Iran, Germany hunt for archaeological clues in Uramanat

A team of archaeologists from Iran and Germany has carried out a field survey in Uramanat, an ancient rural region in western Iran, which earlier this year was named a UNESCO World Heritage. The survey was intended to shed new light on the history of Uramanat by unearthing remnants of historical monuments and relics, ISNA quoted the director of the World Heritage site as saying on Tuesday. It yielded the discovery of “several” archaeological sites and objects yet it resulted in a change in the chronological sequence of several previously-found ancient sites, Pouya Talebnia added. Moreover, several historical fortresses and their legal properties were demarcated during the survey, which was co-directed by Talebnia and Shelir Amelirad from Heidelberg University, the report said. Carried out during December and November, the survey also contributed to the enrichment of the “pottery bank” of Uramanat, Talebnia said. Stretched on the slopes of Sarvabad county, and shared between the provinces of Kordestan and Kermanshah, the rural area embraces dense and step-like rows of houses in a way that the roof of each house forms the yard of the upper one, a feature that adds to its charm and attractiveness. Last September, Hessam Mahdi, the representative of the International Council on Monuments and Sites (ICOMOS) said that he was “impressed” by the status of the rural landscape during his visit. He made the remarks on the sidelines of a visit to the western province of Kermanshah. “I am proud of being chosen to assess the case and traveling to Iran as I could visit the local people in the region.” Local officials and travel insiders believe that inscription of the property on the prestigious list of the UN body could jumpstart tourism in the region and also look at it as a tool for better conservation of its natural landscapes and unique cultural scenes for the next generations, saying its unique rural texture, architecture, lifestyle, and agriculture is a prominent example of the integration of man into nature. The Islamic Republic expects to reap a bonanza from its numerous tourist spots such as bazaars, museums, mosques, bridges, bathhouses, madrasas, mausoleums, churches, towers, and mansions, of which 26 are inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage list. Under the 2025 Tourism Vision Plan, Iran aims to increase the number of tourist arrivals from 4.8 million in 2014 to 20 million in 2025. The latest available data show eight million tourists visited the Islamic Republic during the first ten months of the past Iranian calendar year (ended March 20).

Create: Dec 22, 2021 Edit: Dec 22, 2021 Regional News

$4.7 million allocated to UNESCO-designated Pasargadae

Iranian government has allocated a sum of 200 billion rials (about $4.7 million at the official exchange rate of 42,000 rials per dollar) to develop tourism infrastructure at the UNESCO-designated Pasargadae. A budget of 200 billion rials has been allocated to Pasargadae after President Ebrahim Raisi visited the Achaemenid site earlier in October, a senior tourism official, Javad Vahedi, said on Friday. The Pasargadae complex, as a magnificent World Heritage site, has a high tourism potential in the field of cultural and historical tourism, and we must plan to attract more tourists,” the official explained. Situated about 50 km north of Persepolis, Pasargadae was the first dynastic capital of the Achaemenid Empire, founded by Cyrus II the Great, in Pars, the homeland of the Persians, in the 6th century BC. Its palaces, gardens, and the mausoleum of Cyrus are outstanding examples of the first phase of royal Achaemenid art and architecture and exceptional testimonies of Persian civilization. The UNESCO World Heritage site is also home to a complex water supply system for the time that comprises cisterns, tunnels, underground canals, and ducts, which are locally known as qanats. It is believed that the development of qanats began about 2,500 or 3,000 years ago in Persia (Iran), and the technology spread eastward to Afghanistan and westward to Egypt. Although new qanats are seldom built today, many old qanats are still used in Iran and Afghanistan, chiefly for irrigation. The 160-ha archaeological site of Pasargadae presents some of the earliest manifestations of Persian art and architecture. It includes, among other monuments, the compact limestone tomb on the Morgab plain that once held Cyrus the Great’s gilded sarcophagus; Tall-e Takht (“Solomon’s Throne”), a great fortified platform built on a hill and later incorporated into a sprawling citadel with substantial mud-brick defenses; and the royal ensemble, which consists of several palaces originally located within a garden layout (the so-called “Four Gardens”). Pasargadae became a prototype for the Persian Garden concept of four quadrants formally divided by waterways or pathways, its architecture characterized by refined details and slender verticality. Pasargadae stands as an exceptional witness to the Achaemenid civilization. The vast Achaemenid Empire, which extended from the eastern Mediterranean and Egypt to the Hindus River in India, is considered the first empire to be characterized by a respect for the cultural diversity of its peoples. This respect was reflected in the royal Achaemenid architecture, which became a synthesized representation of the empire’s different cultures. Pasargadae represents the first phase of this development into a specifically Persian architecture which later found its full expression in the city of Persepolis.

Create: Oct 31, 2021 Edit: Oct 31, 2021 Regional News

Natives of Sistan-Baluchestan to attend Expo 2020

A selection of craftspeople, travel insiders, and exhibitors from Sistan-Baluchestan are getting prepared to promote the southeastern Iranian province at the Expo 2020 Dubai, which is currently underway in the UAE. "[A selection of exhibitors from] Sistan-Baluchestan province will be attending the expo in Dubai, in [the month of] Bahman to present a variety of programs," the provincial tourism chief Alireza Jalalzaei said on Tuesday. A wide range of Sistan-Baluchestan's ancient handicrafts, live performances, and workshops, and introductions to cultural and natural destinations, and the archaeological sites is expected to take the center stage at the Iran pavilion during the event, the official explained. Visitors to the pavilion are offered to discover epitomes of the ancient land in terms of rituals, handicrafts, cultural heritage, and travel destinations. It also reveals more about medical tourism, novel startups, and off-the-beaten tracks. Many countries and companies are also looking to the expo - the first major global event open to visitors since the coronavirus pandemic - to boost trade and investment. According to organizers, the Expo, an exhibition of culture, technology, and architecture under the banner “Connecting Minds and Creating the Future”, is expected to be a demonstration of ingenuity, and a place where global challenges such as climate change, conflict, and economic growth can be addressed together. Iran expects to reap a bonanza from its numerous tourist spots such as bazaars, museums, mosques, bridges, bathhouses, madrasas, mausoleums, churches, towers, and mansions, of which 26 are inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage list. The collective province -- Sistan in the north and Baluchestan in the south -- accounts for one of the driest regions of Iran with a slight increase in rainfall from east to west, and an obvious rise in humidity in the coastal regions. In ancient times, the region was a crossword of the Indus Valley and the Babylonian civilizations. The province possesses special significance because of being located in a strategic and transit location, especially Chabahar which is the only ocean port in Iran and the best and easiest access route of the middle Asian countries to free waters. The vast province is home to several distinctive archaeological sites and natural attractions, including two UNESCO World Heritage sites, namely Shahr-e-Soukhteh (Burnt City) and Lut desert.

Create: Oct 31, 2021 Edit: Oct 31, 2021 Regional News

‘Untold stories’ now available for you to re-discover majestic Isfahan

A selection of 200 “untold stories” about Isfahan is now available for you to re-discover the ancient city, which has long been nicknamed as “half the world”. Each story is narrated within a one-minute video clip in different languages to make culture lovers and avid travelers familiar with the off-the-beaten tracks, lesser-known destinations, souvenirs, foods, traditions, rituals, cultural heritage, handicrafts, and above all the hospitable people of Isfahan. Directed by Iranian globetrotter and researcher Majid Erfanian, the clips have been produced jointly by Isfahan Chamber of Commerce, Industries, Mines and Agriculture (ICCIMA), and the private company of Rah Abrisham Iranian Zamin. 100 of the videos, containing 100 fascinating stories, had already been uploaded to social media outlets, while the others were unveiled in an official ceremony hosted by the ICCIMA on Saturday evening. The event was attended by the deputy tourism minister Ali-Asghar Shalbafian, Isfahan governor-general Seyyed Reza Mortazavi, the mayor of Isfahan Ali Qasemzadeh, and Alireza Salarian, the head of Representative Office of Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Isfahan as well as a host of travel insiders, reporters, and journalists who discussed ways to jumpstart tourism. Erfanian stressed the need for greater public awareness about the cultural heritage of the ancient land, saying the “untold stories” are produced for that purpose. “Redefining destinations has rarely happened in the field of traveling [in the country], and now the city [of Isfahan] is a forerunner of such a trend to express its tourism brand in a new way,” he said. Talking about the clips, Erfanian said” “In these multi-language videos, we have tried to put the spotlight on inaccessible or lesser-known historical sites, foods, intangible heritage, people…. characters, craftsmen and figures who have played a role in shaping the identity of Isfahan.” “Sister cities of Isfahan, the diversity of religions, and intangible heritage are amongst other elements we have addressed in the videos,” he added. In an address to the unveiling ceremony, the deputy tourism minister used the context of modern architecture to discuss ways to highlight contemporary Isfahan shoulder to shoulder with its historical core. “We see in the videos that they mostly bring centuries-old architecture and culture into focus, however, we should consider casting a new light on the modern side of Isfahan as well.” “In the production of extra videos, newer ideas may be added to improve the quality of the work,” Shalbafian added. The governor-general of Isfahan reminded the attendees of the unique feature of stories and narratives, in general, to preserve cultural heritage for the coming generations. “In all over the world, paying attention to stories and narratives is of special importance for the development of tourism….. and we have many of such stories that have been forgotten in the course of history.” What you have done in this project is to revive such stories and distinct identities that if ignored, will lead to their disappearance, Mortazavi explained. Ali Karbasizadeh, a senior advisor to the ICCIMA, expressed the need for paying much more attention to the tourism industry, content production, training of all stakeholders and activists, conducting relevant studies, productive investments, tourism startups, and further cooperation with other provinces to develop the tourism paradigm of the country. Furthermore, Karbasizadeh discussed the advantage of adequate official holidays in Iran, saying the number of national holidays in Iran, which has a pivotal role in domestic tourism, is currently insufficient in comparison to many other countries. “If this issue is not addressed and solved, our efforts in other areas would not have desired results.” Salarian for his part noted that making one-minute videos of Isfahan is a good fit. “When we sent [some of the earliest] clips of the series to our embassies in various countries, they expressed a wish to have them translated into other languages as well….Now I see that this has happened.” “Even the municipality [of Isfahan] has produced a series of professional five-minute videos in ten languages that are well received by the audiences.” “Isfahan is one of the important destinations for the high-ranking Iranian officials and visiting officials from other countries. Therefore, it has a unique stance in the field of tourism that should be taken into account,” the senior diplomat explained. Finally, the mayor of Isfahan outlined the importance of storytelling for the time being and in various fields including tourism, saying: “Story [and storytelling] still works in the present day even in psychiatric discussions, story therapy is a growing concept.” “We are ready to expand cooperation and join hands with other activists in the realm of tourism because Isfahan has enormous potential to become a major destination for international travelers,” Qasemzadeh said. Half the world? Soaked in a rich history, Isfahan was once a crossroad of international trade and diplomacy in Iran and now it is one of Iran’s top tourist destinations for good reasons. It is filled with many architectural wonders such as unmatched Islamic buildings, bazaars, museums, Persian gardens, and tree-lined boulevards. It's a city for walking, getting lost in its mazing bazaars, dozing in beautiful gardens, and meeting people. Isfahan is renowned not only for the abundance of great historical bridges but also for its ‘life-giving river’, the Zayandeh-Rood, which has long bestowed the city an original beauty and fertility. Isfahan has long been nicknamed as Nesf-e-Jahan which is translated into “half the world”; meaning seeing it is relevant to see half the world. In its heyday, it was also one of the largest cities in the region with a population of nearly one million. The cool blue tiles of Isfahan's Islamic buildings, and the city's majestic bridges, contrast perfectly with the encircling hot, dry Iranian countryside. The huge Imam Square, best known as Naghsh-e Jahan Sq. (literary meaning “Image of the World”), is one of the largest in the world (500m by 160m), and a majestic example of town planning. Constructed in the early 17th century, the UNESCO-registered square is punctuated with the most interesting sights in Isfahan. It was laid out under the reign of the Safavid ruler, Shah Abbas the Great, to signal the importance of Isfahan as the capital of his powerful empire. It is hemmed on four sides by magnificent buildings: to the east, the Sheikh Lotfollah Mosque; to the west, the palace of Ali Qapu; to the north, the portico of Qeysarieh; and to the south, the eminent Imam Mosque. “The square was at the heart of the Safavid capital’s culture, economy, religion, social power, government, and politics. Its vast sandy esplanade was used for celebrations, promenades, and public executions, for playing polo and for assembling troops,” according to the UNESCO website. Right at the northern limit of the Imam Square, one will find “Qeysarieh Gate”, which leads to the unique and unforgettable “Grand Bazaar of Isfahan”. This vaulted marketplace is one of the largest and most labyrinthine bazaars in the country. Shops offering handicrafts, souvenirs, jewelry, silverware, traditional ceramics, and authentic Persian carpets. Modern Isfahan is now home to some heavy industry, including steel factories and a nuclear facility on its outskirts, however, its inner core wants to be preserved as a priceless gem. The city is also home to a gigantic, professional, and state-of-the-art healthcare city, which is a major destination in the realm of medical tourism. Unknown destination Even before the pandemic, Iran’s tourism was already grappling with some challenges, on top of those Western “media propaganda” aimed at scaring potential travelers away from the Islamic Republic. Some experts believe Iran is still somehow “unknown” for many potential travelers due to such a “media war”. They, however, consider bright prospects for the tourism sector of the country if it vigorously pursues comprehensive strategies to counter U.S.-led propaganda and strict sanctions, yet does its best to loosen tough travel regulations.

Create: Oct 26, 2021 Edit: Oct 27, 2021 Regional News

Iranian travel agencies invited to attend Expo 2020

According to the Hotel News, The Association of Iranian Travel Agencies has invited domestic travel businesses to attend Iran pavilion at Expo 2020 Dubai, which is currently underway in UAE. Association of Iranian Travel Agencies Director Hormatollah Rafiei has called on [eligible] travel agencies to grasp “this golden opportunity” by attending the event in a space provided to tourism activists for free, Mehr reported on Tuesday. Visitors to the pavilion are offered to discover epitomes of the ancient land in terms of rituals, handicrafts, cultural heritage, and travel destinations. It also reveals more about medical tourism, novel startups, and off-the-beaten tracks. Many countries and companies are also looking to the expo - the first major global event open to visitors since the coronavirus pandemic - to boost trade and investment. According to organizers, the Expo, an exhibition of culture, technology, and architecture under the banner “Connecting Minds and Creating the Future”, is expected to be a demonstration of ingenuity, and a place where global challenges such as climate change, conflict, and economic growth can be addressed together. The Persian Gulf state has relaxed most coronavirus limitations but Expo requires face masks to be worn and for visitors over 18 to be vaccinated against, or test negative for, COVID-19. Iran expects to reap a bonanza from its numerous tourist spots such as bazaars, museums, mosques, bridges, bathhouses, madrasas, mausoleums, churches, towers, and mansions, of which 26 are inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage list.

Create: Oct 20, 2021 Edit: Oct 20, 2021 Regional News

Deutsche Hospitality and the Porsche Design Group Launch Unique Hotel Concept

Zeitgeist, Design and Service ExcellenceDeutsche Hospitality and the Porsche Design Group are joining forces to present the Steigenberger Porsche Design Hotels brand, an innovative hotel concept in the Luxury Lifestyle Segment. Steigenberger Porsche Design Hotels will bring together design, technology and lifestyle at the very highest level. The result will be a unique brand experience created from the design philosophy and values of the exclusive Porsche Design lifestyle brand. This will be combined with the excellence and experience of Steigenberger, which boasts a representative tradition stretching back for more than 90 years. Investor interest in Steigenberger Porsche Design Hotels is considerable. The first planning stage involves the establishment of up to 15 hotels in global metropolises such as London, Singapore, Dubai and Shanghai. Design and quality are the top priority“Steigenberger Porsche Design Hotels creates a brand which marries the design philosophy and values of the exclusive Porsche Design brand with the hospitality and service quality of a Steigenberger hotel,” said Marcus Bernhardt, CEO of Steigenberger Hotels AG/Deutsche Hospitality. “Our joint goal is to establish a new hotel product for a global target group which seeks uniqueness and which has the highest aspirations regarding quality.” “Steigenberger Porsche Design Hotels will boast an unusual and exceptional spatial and lighting concept,” stated Dr. Jan Becker, CEO of Porsche Design Group. “Innovative rooms and suites will feature a singular design and interior which captures the spirit of the environment. Travellers in search of extraordinary experiences will be able to find Steigenberger Porsche Design Hotels at some of the world’s most breath-taking locations.” The hotels will offer at least 150 rooms, suites, and penthouses. They will also have a remarkable restaurant and bar concept, exclusive Meet&Greet Cubes, and a health and beauty facility and gym extending over a minimum area of 1,000 square metres. Deutsche Hospitality already maintains a presence in the Luxury, Upscale, Midscale and Economy Segments via the existing brands. “We have set ourselves the objective of achieving significant worldwide growth by 2027,” Mr. Bernhardt continued. “For us, Steigenberger Porsche Design Hotels constitutes an important step towards appealing to an attractive target group in the long term and towards meeting growing requirements for individuality, exclusivity, design and an inimitable hotel experience.” The development of Steigenberger Porsche Design Hotels is enabling Porsche Design to transfer its brand philosophy to exterior and interior architecture. This will allow design expertise to be made accessible to a broad section of the public via the vehicle of outstanding hotel projects. Jan Becker: “The brand perception factor is becoming increasingly important for customers. In hotels we convey the brand experience in a unique way, and this makes it possible to introduce additional differentiation to the market.”

Create: Oct 17, 2021 Edit: Oct 19, 2021 International News

Pasargadae is a symbol of human civilization, tourism minister says

The UNESCO-registered Pasargadae is a symbol of human civilization in ancient Iran, tourism minister Ezzatollah Zarghami has announced.There is no doubt that Pasargadae belongs to Cyrus the Great, who is regarded as a legend in the world, whether or not he was buried here, it is important to respect him as an Iranian, the minister said on Thursday. He made the remarks during a visit to the majestic World Heritage site, which is situated in the southern Fars province. “Pasargadae stands out for its uniqueness on the international stage, if not as a special place, but as a symbol of civil and human development,” he noted. The tourism status of Pasargadae was among issues discussed with President Ebrahim Raisi during his current visit to Fars…., and funds have been considered for it, the minister added. He also noted that the majority of funds will be allocated to develop infrastructure and facilities, and making repairs for the public benefit, he said. There has already been an allocation of 200 billion rials ($4.7 million at the official exchange rate of 42,000 rials per dollar) to the historical site, he mentioned. Situated about 50 km north of Persepolis, Pasargadae embraces outstanding examples of the first phase of royal Achaemenid art and architecture and exceptional testimonies of Persian civilization. Cyrus was the founder of the Achaemenid Empire which at its greatest extent stretched from the Balkans to the Indus Valley, spanning 5.5 million square kilometers. The Persian king declared the world’s first charter of human rights, also known as the Cyrus Cylinder. Despite the minimal nature of the ruins, they make a good introduction to the wonders of Persepolis, some 60km to the south. Best visited en route from Yazd or Isfahan to Shiraz, most people fit them into an extended tour from Persepolis with stops at Naqsh-e Rostam and Naqsh-e Rajab.

Create: Oct 16, 2021 Edit: Oct 16, 2021 Regional News