Table of Contents
Introduction
Iran is home to some of the world’s oldest and richest cultures, with a history stretching back over 5,000 years. This ancient land has seen the rise and fall of many great empires and cities over the millennia. While famous sites like Persepolis attract tourists, there are also many intriguing yet overlooked ruins and historical places scattered across Iran. These “lost cities” give glimpses into forgotten eras and legends, making any exploration feel like time travel. Join us as we uncover some of the most fascinating lost cities and mythical tales hidden within this ancient and magical land.
Persepolis
Perhaps Iran’s most famous ancient city, Persepolis was the opulent ceremonial capital of the mighty Achaemenid Empire around 500 BCE. Known as Parsa in ancient Persian, this city awed visitors with its palatial architecture, from the massive Apadana palace to the striking Gate of All Nations. Persepolis was burned and sacked by Alexander the Great in 330 BCE and its ruins remain a iconic reminder of ancient Persia’s glorious past. Wandering through its columns, stairs, and reliefs lets you vividly imagine Darius and Xerxes receiving tributes from subject nations on these very steps 2,500 years ago. No trip to Iran is complete without experiencing the grandeur of Persepolis firsthand.
Pasargadae
Pasargadae gives an intimate glimpse into ancient Persia, as this city was the capital of Cyrus the Great after he established the Achaemenid Empire around 550 BCE. Its simple yet elegantly majestic palaces and gardens reflect Cyrus’ wishes for a less extravagant capital than previous rulers. The tomb of Cyrus still stands, its massive yet tranquil limestone structure attesting to the respect he commanded even in death. Archaeological discoveries continue to reveal more about early Persian culture and society at this UNESCO site, allowing you to walk through Cyrus’ personal slice of history.
Bam
For centuries, the Silk Road trading route passed through the thriving city of Bam. Its historical citadel (Arg-e-Bam) is the world’s largest adobe structure, with traces of life dating back over 2,000 years. This fortress city grew to house over 10,000 people in its heyday during the Safavid era. After being abandoned in the early 1700s following an Afghan invasion, an earthquake in 2003 sadly destroyed much of Bam. However, restoration projects allow glimpses of the mighty citadel’s former glory, like its imposing ramparts and ornate governor’s quarters. Bam remains an atmospheric ruin preserving an important historical crossroads.
Ray
Sitting grandly at the foot of the Alborz mountains, the medieval city of Ray was a jewel of science, art and culture for centuries. First settled in the Achaemenid era, Ray (also known as Rhages) flourished after the Islamic conquest of Iran. The striking Masjed-e-Jāmeh mosque is a fine example of Iranian architecture from that era. Ray’s libraries, observatories and hospitals made it one of the intellectual centers of the Islamic world during the 9th-14th centuries. Although it was eventually abandoned, Ray still captivates with its sprawling and hauntingly beautiful ruins, inviting you to imagine its erstwhile grandeur.
Alamut Castle
Tucked amidst the rugged Alborz mountains, the imposing Alamut Castle was an impenetrable stronghold during medieval times. Infamously, it became the headquarters of the Hashshashin or “Assassins” sect starting in 1090 CE. From here, they controlled surrounding regions through stealth murders of political and religious leaders. Marco Polo later visited and wrote about this mysterious sect and their castle, sharing fanciful tales of drugged devotees manipulated into killings. While many myths surround Alamut today, exploring its stark yet strategic mountaintop ruins gives a glimpse into how it defined power and fear for generations.
Yazd
With its winding lanes, forest of Badgirs (windcatchers), and 160 quanats (underground canals), Yazd is one of Iran’s most ancient yet enduring cities. Located in an arid desert landscape surrounded by mountains, Yazd has survived for millennia through ingenious Persian engineering to ferry water from the foothills into its homes and gardens. Continuously inhabited since the Sassanid era around 3,000 years ago, Yazd preserves the mystique of ancient Persia. Sites like the Zoroastrian Towers of Silence and Fire Temple allow you to discover an Iran beyond Islamic culture. Walking through Old Town at sunset, it’s easy to feel the magic of the past still alive here.
Shushtar Historical Hydraulic System
The Sassanians were masters of engineering, and their skills are on full display at the sprawling Shushtar Historical Hydraulic System in southwest Iran. Dating back 1,700 years, this gravity-fed irrigation system channels water from the Karun River to supply cities and farms. It consists of canals, tunnels, dams, and watermills all precisely calculated to control the river. Incredibly advanced for its time, this hydraulic system testifies to ancient Persia’s prosperity through land and water management. Strolling past its flowing canals, still functioning waterfalls, and grandiose arched bridges makes you marvel at this feat of engineering that was named a UNESCO site in 2009.
Gonbad-e Qabus
Soaring over the small town of Gonbad-e Kavus is the stunning Gonbad-e Qabus tower. Built in 1006 CE, this UNESCO-listed tomb honors Ziyarid ruler Qabus ibn Wushmagir. Sitting on a three-tiered foundation, the breathtaking conical brick tower rises to around 65 meters. Spectacular decoration reminiscent of peacock feathers adorns its exterior. Inside, the striking geometric architecture exemplifies early Islamic innovations. Gonbad-e Qabus has survived wars and earthquakes over the centuries, retaining its status as the tallest brick tomb tower in the world. This iconic Persian structure continues to amaze with its towering grandeur.
Nishapur
Marco Polo described the city of Nishapur as “the noble and great city” during his 13th century travels, and it remains majestic even in ruin today. Situated in northeast Iran, Nishapur was a prominent cultural center and trading hub along the Silk Road for over a millennium. Many Iranian literary greats like Omar Khayyam called Nishapur home. Over 100 archaeological sites span the city, including tombs of famous scientists and philosophers that attest to Nishapur’s former glory. Wandering through its crumbling monuments brings to life this intellectual capital of medieval Persia that rivaled Baghdad.
Bastam
In a picturesque valley in northern Iran lies the spiritual town of Bastam. It flourished from the 9th to 13th centuries as a major center of Islamic education. Mystics were drawn here, including the Sufi saint Bayazid Bastami whose tomb still stands. The conical brick Bogheh bast (tower) is an exceptional example of Seljuk architecture, commanding the landscape at 20 meters tall. Many medieval mosques and mausoleums dot the town, like the intricately tiled Mongol-era Mosque of Soltan Mohammad. While off the tourist trail, Bastam transports you to an antique crossroads of religion, intellect and artistry.
Lut Desert
Venturing into central Iran brings you to the untouched vistas of Lut Desert, among the hottest places on Earth. This is Iran’s largest desert, an ocean of sand and rock spanning thousands of kilometers, punctuated by the dramatic Kaluts (yardangs) – wind-eroded rock formations. Folklore says supernatural jinns (spirits) inhabit this barren landscape, luring wanderers into sandstorms. NASA also found unique microbial ecosystems thriving in the sandy plains. Lut Desert’s searing beauty and treacherous environment will linger long after your visit to this almost extraterrestrial land.
Conclusion
This mystical country hides a treasure trove of forgotten cities and mythical tales just waiting to be discovered. Ancient capitals, medieval intellectual hubs, crumbling towers and still-functioning irrigation systems all unveil Iran’s rich cultural tapestry to those who seek its hidden gems. Visiting these lost cities takes you through the many empires and eras that shaped this region over millennia, from Cyrus the Great to the Silk Road. Beyond just heritage sites, Iran’s mythical landscape of jinn-filled deserts retains an aura of magic and wonder. By peeling back its mysterious layers, we better understand Iran’s invaluable contributions to human civilization.
FAQs
Q: Which lost city was once among the largest in the world?
A: The ancient trading city of Bam and its citadel were among the largest and most populated cities in the world during their heyday around 500-100 BCE. At its peak, Bam had over 10,000 residents living and working within its Arg-e-Bam citadel complex.
Q: Where can you see some of the oldest irrigation systems in the world still working?
A: The Shushtar Historical Hydraulic System has ancient irrigation canals, dams, tunnels and watermills dating back around 1,700 years and remarkably still functioning today. This incredible feat of engineering is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Q: Which lost city was home to medieval Persian poets and philosophers?
A: Nishapur rose to prominence as a center of culture and intellectualism during the 9th-13th centuries. Many iconic scientists, writers and thinkers lived in Nishapur, including poet Omar Khayyam. The many preserved tombs and monuments here reflect the city’s former glory.
Q: What crumbling fortress is shrouded in legends and myths?
A: The Alamut Castle clinging to a mountain was the stronghold of the mysterious Assassins sect during medieval times. Many fanciful tales surround this strategically located castle, adding to its allure as an atmospheric ruin.
Q: Where can you find ruins stretching back over 6,000 years?
A: The city of Ray has archaeological evidence of settlement dating all the way back to the Bronze Age around 6000 BCE. It continued to thrive and grow into medieval times before being abandoned, leaving an expansive landscape of crumbling mosques, tombs and other monuments.