The Ancient City of Estakhr

The ancient city of Estakhr has been estimated by archaeologists to be built as early as 4000 BC. It is located five km away from Persepolis and 65 km from Pasargad, inside the Sivand valley, in the vicinity of Marvdasht city, the Fars province.

The oldest document with the name of the ancient city of Estakhr is a wall inscription in Pahlavi on the south porch of Tachara palace in Persepolis. Another document can be seen in the wall inscription of Sassanid Shapur I in Naqsh-e Rostam. Based on the historical writings of the Islamic period, for example Fars Nameh, the construction of this city is related to the Iranian myth Keyumars and its glory to the mythical king of Iran Tahmuras. 

Only the traces of four gates, which had an area of ​​90 hectares, and ruins of the famous Takht-e Tavous have been remained from this city. The city, which was along the way from Persepolis to Pasargad, had a fortified wall, watchtowers, and a moat around it. It had been watered by a river called Kor or Sivand and runs through the valley. The ancient city of Estakhr regained its ancient glory during the Sassanid Empire, after experiencing a flourishing season during the Achaemenid Empire and a decline period under the Alexander and Seleucid kings. The Magis of the great fire temple of Anahita in Estakhr were Sasan and Babak, the ancestor and father of Sassanid emperor Ardeshir I. 

Estakhar was greatly damaged during the Arab occupation and it was suppressed many times due to the people resistance against the foreigners. Eventually, after the campaign of Mohiuddin Abu Kalijar in the fifth century AH, it was completely destroyed and turned into an abandoned ruin.  

Elamite and Pre-Elamite Potteries have been found in ancient site of Estakhr. Apart from a few buildings, four bridges over the Sivand River have also been discovered in the city of Estakhr. This ancient city was discovered in the first half of the 20th century by Herzfeld and then excavated by Schmidt.