Pars Today- UNESCO World Heritage Committee will decide next week on registration of a global relief work of Hegmataneh within the framework of “Hegmataneh and Historical Center of Hamedan” case.
27 historical and natural works of Iran have already been registered at UNESCO and a number of cases are also on the agenda for completion and global registration. The World Heritage Committee announced that it will decide on the global registration of a relief work from Hegmataneh next week.
Some of the works that have already been globally registered include: Chogha Zanbil, Takht-e Jamshid (Persepolis), Naqsh-e Jahan Square of Isfahan, Takht-e Soleiman, Arg-e Bam Cultural Site, Pasargad, Soltanieh Dome, Bistoon Inscription, Armenians’ Monastic Works Ensemble, Shushtar Historical Hydraulic System, Tabriz Historical Bazaar, Sheikh Safi al-Din Ardebili Shrine, Iranian Garden and so on.
Pars Today has cast a glance at some of the Iranian tangible works which have been globally registered:
Choghazanbil:
“Dur Untash” Ziggurat, known as Chogha Zanbil, is an ancient temple which was built nearly 2,250 years BC during the Elamite civilization. This ziggurat is 52 meters high in 5 square floors.
Chogha Zanbil Ziggurat is the central ancient structure remaining from the Elamite Dur Untash ensemble (Dur Untash city) located near Shush (Susa) city of Khuzestan province.
Chogha Zanbil was registered in 1979 as the first Iranian historical work at the UNESCO World Heritage list. Orientalists believe that Chogha Zanbil is the oldest religious building in Iran.
Takht-e Jamshid
According to the existing documents, the construction of this huge and historical edifice started approximately 500 years BC upon the order of the Achaemenid king, Darius, and ended after 150 years.
Takht-e Jamshid was called with different names in the past, but, finally, “Takht-e Jamshid”, or the throne and palace of Jamshid (the famous Iranian mythical king), was chosen for this extraordinary and historical site to demonstrate its glory.
The name of Takht-e Jamshid can be seen in the UNESCO World Heritage list since 1979.
This complex includes various edifices such as the gate of nations, a stone gate guarded by two guardians.
This gate was the entrance of representatives of different nations. Apadana palace, Tachara palace and Hadish palace are other edifices of this site.
Naqsh-e Jahan Square of Isfahan
Naqsh-e Jahan Square is located in the north of the city of Isfahan. It was registered in the World Heritage of UNESCO in 1979. Before the Saffavid era, there was a beautiful garden, called Naqsh-e Jahan, in this square. This square is more than 560 meters long and 160 meters wide. All around the square is covered with 200 chambers in two floors.
There are beautiful historical monuments in Naqsh-e Jahan square such as Abbasi Jame’ Mosque, Sheikh Lotfollah Mosque, Ali Qapoo Building, Qeysarieh Gate and Qeysarieh Bazaar.
Qara Kelisa
“Qara Kelisa” is one of the most marvelous and highly ordained churches in Iran. This church is considered the first church in the Christian world. It has been built over the tomb of one of the disciples of Prophet Jesus (Peace upon him), called Thaddeus. It is called Qara Kelisa or Chaldran Kelisa as it is located in Qara village of Chaldran region of West Azarbaijan province.
The historical building of “Qara Kelisa” was registered in the World Heritage in 2009 due to its unique architecture.
Qara Kelisa is not significant only due to being old, but the distinctive construction with ample artistic decorations have turned it into a beautiful work in the Christian world.
Soltanieh Dome
Soltanieh Dome is located in Zanjan province and is the second greatest brick dome in the world after the dome of Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore in Florence, Italy. This brick dome is quite unique in Iran and the world in terms of different parts, decorations, different architectural style, connection of spaces, building resistance, stasis, usage of native materials, application of various aesthetic techniques and adornment of the dome.
This edifice was registered as the 7th Iranian work in the UNESCO World Heritage.
Arthur Pope, a famous American researcher, describing Soltanieh Dome, says, “It is a robust building in which each and every part has been used in its own place so that such a beautiful masterpiece is created.” He maintains that this dome has been effective in construction of Taj Mahal in Agra, India.
Key phrases: historical sites of Iran, UNESCO World Heritage, Iranian historical heritage, Iran’s tourism, Iranian history
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