Shiraz is one of the oldest and most significant cities in Iran, having played a prominent role in the country’s history, culture, and literature. Evidence of human settlement in the Shiraz region dates back to around 2000 BCE.
In Elamite tablets, a place with a name similar to “Tirasis” or “Shirazis” is mentioned, which some researchers believe refers to present-day Shiraz. Near Shiraz are important archaeological sites such as Persepolis and Pasargadae, indicating the importance of this region during the Achaemenid period, although Shiraz itself was not a major city at that time.
Shiraz is known as the city of poetry, gardens, bitter and sweet oranges, flowers, and nightingales. Gardens hold a special place in Iranian culture, and Shiraz has long been famous for its numerous beautiful gardens. Among the most important are Eram Garden, Delgosha Garden, and Jahan Nama Garden. These gardens are outstanding examples of the Persian garden, reflecting the close relationship between nature, architecture, and Iranian thought.
During the Sassanian era, the Fars region was a center of political and religious power, and major communication routes passed through it. After the advent of Islam in Iran in the 7th century CE, Shiraz gradually gained importance. In the 4th century AH, during the Buyid dynasty, Shiraz was chosen as the capital and became one of the most important scientific, cultural, and economic centers of the Islamic world. Many buildings, libraries, and scholarly institutions were established during this period. During the Mongol invasions, unlike many Iranian cities, Shiraz suffered relatively little damage, which allowed its cultural life to continue. As a result, Shiraz became known as a safer city for scholars and poets.
In the Safavid period, although Isfahan was the capital, Shiraz remained one of Iran’s major cities and served as the administrative and cultural center of the province of Fars.
The peak of Shiraz’s political prosperity occurred in the 18th century during the reign of Karim Khan Zand, who made Shiraz the capital of Iran. Important monuments from this era include the Karim Khan Citadel, Vakil Bazaar, Vakil Bathhouse, and Vakil Mosque. During the Qajar period, Shiraz was no longer the capital, but it retained its cultural status.
Shiraz is the birthplace of two of the greatest figures of Persian literature, Hafez Shirazi and Saadi Shirazi. The tombs of these poets, which are outstanding examples of traditional Iranian architecture and Persian garden design, are among the most important cultural symbols of Iran. The significance of these poets is recognized worldwide: Hafez’s Divan inspired Western thinkers such as Goethe, and Saadi’s works were taught for centuries in schools across Iran, India, and the Ottoman Empire.
In Iranian history, Shiraz holds a unique position in Persian literature and Islamic-Iranian mysticism, to the extent that the name of the city is inseparably associated with poetry, love, ethics, and wisdom. From the 6th to the 8th centuries AH, Shiraz was one of the most important cultural centers of the Islamic world. Relative political stability, support from rulers, and the presence of schools and libraries provided a favorable environment for the flourishing of poets, writers, and mystics.
In 2020, Shiraz was included on the list of World Craft Cities. The city’s handicrafts include marquetry, wood carving, pottery and ceramic crafts, mosaic tilework, seven-color tiles, metal arts such as silverwork and engraving, handwoven textiles such as kilim and gabbeh, stucco work, giveh (traditional footwear) weaving, and miniature painting.
Shiraz is often associated with the historic site of Persepolis. Persepolis is located about 57 kilometers northeast of Shiraz, near the city of Marvdasht. Persepolis (Parsa) is one of the most important and symbolic historical monuments of Iran. It was built during the Achaemenid period under Darius the Great, Xerxes, and Artaxerxes I. The complex represents the political power, advanced administrative system, and grandeur of the Achaemenid Empire, which at its height encompassed a large part of the known world.
One of the most striking features of Persepolis is its vast area of approximately 125,000 square meters, along with its inscriptions, reliefs, and archaeological remains, which are rarely matched elsewhere. Construction of this monumental complex began around 500 BCE by order of Darius the Great and took about 150 years (or, according to another account, 120 years) to complete.
Persepolis was primarily used for ceremonial purposes and hosted important events such as Nowruz celebrations and receptions for representatives of the various nations of the empire. The reliefs depicting different peoples bringing gifts to the king reflect the policy of tolerance and cultural coexistence practiced by the Achaemenid rulers.
The architecture of Persepolis is a combination of the arts and techniques of various civilizations (Iranian, Babylonian, Egyptian, and Greek), yet it possesses a distinctly Iranian identity. The tall columns, capitals in the form of bulls and lions, intricate reliefs, and geometric order of the buildings demonstrate the remarkable advancement of art and engineering in ancient Iran and highlight the exceptional skill of Iranian architects.
The inscriptions and reliefs of Persepolis provide valuable information about the governmental structure, beliefs, clothing, and political and social relations of the Achaemenid era. Today, Persepolis is a symbol of ancient civilization, cultural unity, and national pride for Iranians, playing an important role in strengthening Iran’s historical and cultural identity. For this reason, it has been inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List. Overall, Persepolis is not merely a historical monument, but a manifestation of the peak of civilization, culture, and political thought in ancient Iran.
Persepolis was largely destroyed as a result of the invasion of Alexander the Great and subsequent events. The most significant cause of its destruction was a massive fire that occurred after Alexander’s conquest of Iran. After capturing Persepolis, Alexander ordered the palaces to be set ablaze.
Following the fire, Persepolis lost its political importance. Its valuable objects were looted, and the complex gradually fell into ruin. Over the centuries, natural erosion caused by earthquakes, wind, rain, and the passage of time further damaged the stone structures and led to the collapse of parts of the complex.
Persepolis consisted of numerous buildings, palaces, columns, and structures, but one of its remarkable features was an underground drainage system. This network of channels was designed beneath the various buildings to quickly and efficiently divert rainwater from streets and courtyards, preventing damage to the main structures.
Another important ancient site is Naqsh-e Rostam, formerly known as Se Gonbadan or Do Gonbadan, located about 6 kilometers from Persepolis. It is a legacy of multiple civilizations, including the Elamites, Achaemenids, and Sassanians. From around 1200 BCE to 625 CE, Naqsh-e Rostam was consistently an important and significant site. It contains the tombs of four Achaemenid kings, numerous reliefs depicting major events of the Sassanian period, the Kaaba of Zoroaster, and a damaged relief dating back to the Elamite era.
Pasargadae is located fifty kilometers from Persepolis. Around 550 BCE, the city was founded by Cyrus, the Emperor of the Achaemenid Empire, and it served as the first capital of the Achaemenid dynasty. One of the most significant monuments of this city is the Tomb of Cyrus.