iran
 [click on thumbnails to see full image] |
| Tombs cut into
sandstone cliffs at Naqs-e-Rostam in Iran once held four Achaemenid rulers, most notably Darius the Great
Ref:MKIRAC2939 |  |
| At Naqsh-e-Rostam
in Iran a renowned sandstone relief is to be seen below the tomb of Darius the Great Ref:MKIRAC2938 |
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| Three of the four
Achaemenid tombs cut into rock at Naqsh-e-Rostam near Persepolis in Iran; the one at right held Darius
the Great Ref:MKIRAC2940 |  |
| The tomb of Cyrus
the Great, died 529BCE at Pasargadae in Iran Ref:MKIRAC2941 |  |
| In Shiraz, Iran, the
Eram botanical gardens are adorned by a fine house and pool originally built around 1823 Ref:MKIRAC2953 |  |
| Colorful blooms
labelled Persian buttercups are among the lavish flora in Shiraz's lovely Eram botanical gardens
Ref:MKIRAC2954 |  |
| The onetime
Arg-e-Karim Khan citadel sits at a busy crossroads in Shiraz, a handsome example of urban fortifications
Ref:MKIRAC2956 |  |
| Coloured glass
windows in its winter prayer hall set the Nasir al-Molk mosque in Shiraz apart from other mosques
Ref:MKIRAC2957 |  |
| An intriguing set of
three tile panels adorns the garden of the fire temple in Shiraz built by the Bab Ba'hai movement founder
Ref:MKIRAC2960 |  |
| The fire temple in
Shiraz has a striking entry decorated with mirrors, a style found in Tehran's Golestan palace
Ref:MKIRAC2961 |  |
| Popular for family
outings in Shiraz is the tomb of Shirazi poet Hafez (1326-c.1390) Ref:MKIRAC2962 |  |
| A group of schoolgirls
on a visit with their chador-clad teacher to the tomb and gardens in Shiraz of local poet Hafez
Ref:MKIRAC2963 |  |
| The Shapouri Pavilion
restaurant and cafe in Shiraz is popular with families and visitors Ref:MKIRAC2965 |  |
| The Vakil mosque
near the bazaar in Shiraz is noted for its 48 stone columns decorated with a spiral design
Ref:MKIRAC2967 |  |
| A traditional
flatbread bakery, its ovens at right,in the ancient city of Yadz, in central Iran Ref:MKIRAC2970 |  |
| A display case of
family made sweetmeats in a famous Yadz confectionery Ref:MKIRAC2971 |  |
| Towers of silence
outside Yazd, no longer used Zoroastrian openair burial sites Ref:MKIRAC2973 |  |
| In Iran's ancient
city of Yazd men and boys do calisthenics in a traditional zurkaneh hall Ref:MKIRAC2978 |  |
| At Persepolis, Iran's
greatest historic site, two small children descend the great staircase near the main entry
Ref:MKIRAC2943 |  |
| One of the numerous
reliefs, scenes carved into rock, at Persepolis, this one in the Apadana area of the palace complex
Ref:MKIRAC2944 |  |
| Glimpses of a frieze
and the remains of superb architectural buildings at Persepolis, Iran's grandest historical site
Ref:MKIRAC2945 |  |
| Palace ruins in
Iran's vast archaeological site of Persepolis include windows and door frames of royal construction
Ref:MKIRAC2947 |  |
| Part of the Gate
of All Lands at Persepolis, Iran's vast and splendid ancient ruins embodying the early Persian empire
Ref:MKIRAC2950 |  |
| Boatbuilding an
Indian-style craft on Qeshm island in the Persian Gulf Ref:MKIRAC2982 |  |
| On Qeshm island, off
Iran's Gulf coast, historical wells are a local sight Ref:MKIRAC2985 |  |
| Fishing boats cluster
tightly in Kong on Iran's Gulf coast Ref:MKIRAC2984 | 
|
| In Kong harbour, on
Iran's Gulf coast. fishermen check their nets Ref:MKIRAC2983 |  |
| In Kong, on Iran's
Gulf coast, old sailors gather for a celebration aboard a shorebound replica of an oceangoing dhow they
sailed in their youth Ref:MKIRAC2986 |  |