There are many historical monuments remaining from ancient period and Islamic era in Iran.
Artistic and architectural centers such as mosques, palaces, ventilators, tombs of poets and great scientific , bridges, water reservoirs and caravanserais all of which are examples of the skill and artistic taste to be found in various branches of Iranian art and architecture during different periods. Every large and small town can boast of having numerous examples of them.
Here we will introduce the most important historical sites in Iran that have been registered as UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

Iran UNESCO World Heritage Sites

With 25 UNESCO World Heritage Sites, Iran ranks 10th in the world in terms of registered world heritage sites.


1-Chogha Zanbil

As one of the important cultural and historical monuments of our country, Chogha Zanbil is considered the first place of worship in Iran. Chogha Zanbil was a place for worshipping gods and was built in praise of the guardian god of Susa, Inshushinak.
This building was registered on the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1979. Chogha Zanbil is located around the ancient city of Susa. The building dates back to 1250 BC.

2-Persepolis

Persepolis is another UNESCO World Heritage Site in Iran, which can be considered the most significant historical monument in Iran. This historical monument is actually an ancient city located near Marvdasht in Fars Province and contains a series of palaces. Persepolis was built by Darius the Achaemenid and is considered the ceremonial capital of Iran.

3-Naqsh-e Jahan Square

Naqsh-e Jahan Square, as the heart of Isfahan, is another UNESCO World Heritage Site in Iran, with a history dating back to the Safavid era. There are many monuments in and around this square, including Sheikh Lotfollah Mosque, Imam Mosque, Ali Qapu Palace, Isfahan Bazaar, and Sardar Qaysariyeh. Every year, Isfahan and Naqsh-e Jahan Square host many domestic and foreign tourists.

4-Takht-e-Solomon

Takht-e-Solomon is an Iranian UNESCO World Heritage Site located 45 kilometers from the city of Takab in West Azerbaijan Province. This large historical site contains buildings from the Parthian, Sassanid, and Ilkhanate periods, the main Zoroastrian sanctuary and the Anahita Temple being among the most important.

5-Bam Citadel

Before the Bam earthquake, the Bam Citadel was considered the largest adobe structure in the world, covering more than 180,000 square meters. This historical monument is located in the south of Kerman Province and dates back to the Parthian period.

6- Pasargade

The historical complex of Pasargade, also known as the Tomb of Cyrus, is a vast historical city that contains many monuments such as the Gate Palace, Pasargade Garden, Baram Palace, various water features, etc. The construction of this historical complex began during the reign of Cyrus the Achaemenid, which dates back to the 6th century BC. Pasargade, as the first capital of the Achaemenids, is another UNESCO World Heritage Site in Iran.

7-Soltaniyeh Dome

One of the famous historical monuments in Zanjan is the Soltaniyeh Dome, which is on the UNESCO list of Iranian monuments. This historical tomb belongs to Sultan Mohammad Khodabandeh or El-Jaito, the eighth king of the Ilkhanate, and is considered one of the most prominent works of Iranian architecture with Islamic features. The turquoise tiles of the building are considered one of the most beautiful features of the Soltaniyeh Dome.


8-Bisotun

The Bisotun complex is considered one of the most historical areas in the world.
The most prominent work of this historical complex is its inscription stone, which consists of a unique inscription and relief.
This inscription stone is known as the first known Iranian text and is considered one of the most important and famous documents in world history, especially the Achaemenid period.

9-Armenian Churches Complex

This complex is included in the UNESCO World Heritage List as a historical monument of the Christian world in Iran. The magnificent architecture of the churches of St. Stephen, Qara Church and the Temple of Zor Zor represent the culture and architecture of the Armenians in northwestern Iran. This complex has high historical, social and cultural value.

10-Shushtar Water Structures

The Shushtar water system is a special example of the design of water systems during the time of Darius the Great, which shows the ingenuity and creative intelligence of the Iranians in this field. This complex consists of 13 sections that were used to guide and use water during the Achaemenid to Sasanian periods. The bridges, canals and waterfalls of the Shushtar water structures have made this complex the largest industrial complex in the world before the industrial revolution.

11-Tabriz Grand Bazaar
The historic complex of Tabriz Bazaar, known since ancient times as one of the most important trading centers on the Silk Road, is considered one of the largest covered markets in the world. There are about 6,500 rooms in this market, which constitute 40 jobs.

12-Sheikh Safi al-Din Ardebili Tomb

This historical monument is located in Ardabil province and is considered one of the oldest Sufi mystical tombs in Iran. The building dates back to the Safavid era. Sheikh Safi al-Din Ardebili Tomb was once the home and monastery of this prominent mystic. Sheikh Safi’s body was buried in this building according to his will.

13-Iranian Gardens Collection

Iranian gardens have a unique structure and design, and water plays a major role in the design and decoration. The beauty of Iranian gardens has led to 9 gardens being included in the UNESCO World Heritage List of Iran.
-Eram Garden in Shiraz
-Pasargad Garden in Pasargad
-Chehelsotun Garden in Isfahan
-Fin Garden in Kashan
-Abbas Abad Garden in Behshahr
-Dolat Abad Garden in Yazd
-Akbariyeh Garden in Birjand
-Pahlavanpur Garden in Mehriz
-Shazdeh Garden in Mahan

14-Isfahan Friday Mosque

As one of the most important and oldest historical monuments of Iran in UNESCO, Isfahan Grand Mosque represents the process of transformation and evolution of Iranian architecture in the Islamic period and even before that. This building is considered one of the most prominent architectural works of Iran and the world. Isfahan Grand Mosque is a 4-porch mosque whose influence on the architecture of other mosques cannot be ignored.

15-Qaboos Dome Tower

This beautiful historical monument is located in the north of Iran in Golestan Province and dates back to the 4th century AH. It is worth noting that Qaboos Dome Tower is the tallest all-brick tower in the world. This tower is considered one of the masterpieces of Iranian architecture and is known as the best historical engineering monument in the world.

16-Golestan Palace

Golestan Palace is a collection of several buildings, halls, gardens, and courtyards that together have managed to form a unique historical and tourist complex. This historical monument is located in the central part of Tehran.
Golestan Palace was built during the Safavid era and later served as the residence and rule of 7 Qajar kings. The presence of different kings in this palace has led to various events taking place in this building.

17-Burnt City

Burnt City is the remains of an ancient city in Iran where Iranians lived about 6,000 years ago. Burnt City covers an area of ​​280 hectares. In general, Burnt City has 5 main parts:
-Residential part
-Central parts
-Industrial area
-Monuments
-Burnt City Cemetery
This ancient complex is famous for its amazing structure and the discoveries that have occurred in it. Among the discoveries in this ancient site are artificial eyes, backgammon games, brain surgery artifacts, and…

18-Meymand Village

Meymand Village is located 38 kilometers northeast of Babak city in Kerman province and consists of very old monuments such as scattered rock houses, temples, castles and various towers that date back thousands of years. Without a doubt, Meymand Village, as one of the world's rock settlements, is considered the first human settlements in Iran.

19-Susa

The ancient city of Susa is one of the world's most well-known settlements, located in Khuzestan, and its founding date is estimated to be 4000 BC. The historical monuments discovered in this area are classified as administrative, residential, and luxurious buildings. Based on existing ancient documents, the historical city of Susa is considered one of the most important and magnificent ancient cities in Iran and the world. This city was used as the winter capital of the Achaemenid kings.

20-Iranian Qanats Collection

The method of constructing Qanats in Iran, the importance and need for water in dry and water-scarce centers of Iran, and their characteristics such as being long, deep, or old have led to 11 Qanats in Iran being noted and registered in the UNESCO list of Iranian monuments.
-Qasbeh Gonabad Qanat
-Baldeh Ferdows Qanat
-Hasan Abad Moshir Qanat
-Bagh Zarch Qanat
-Ebrahim Abad Arak Qanat
-Mozdabad Meimeh Qanat
-Omubi and Vazvan Qanat
-Mon Qanat, one of the Iranian monuments in UNESCO
-Goharriz Qanat of Jopar
-Akbar Abad Bam Qanat
-Qasem Abad Bam Qanat

21-Historical City of Yazd

The historical city of Yazd is one of the metropolises of Iran, known as one of the oldest cities in the world and the first brick city in the world. One of the reasons for Yazd's fame is its windcatchers, which have made this city famous as the city of windcatchers. Among the notable monuments of this city are the Yazd Grand Mosque, the bazaar, Amir Chakhmaq Square, traditional houses, etc., all of which are located in the historical context of this city. These features have led to Yazd being registered as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in Iran.

22-Sassanian Archaeological Landscape | Fars

The Sassanid Archaeological Landscape is a collection of eight ancient sites located in the regions of Firuzabad, Bishapur and Sarvestan in the southwest of Fars Province. These ancient sites feature structures, palaces and remains of cities that date back to the Sassanid period and date back to 224 to 658 AD.
-Qale Dokhtar
-Petroglyph of the reign of Ardashir Babakan
-Petroglyph of Ardashir's victory over Ardavan
-Ardashir Khoreh (City of Gour)
-Ardashir Babakan Palace
-City of Bishapur
-Shapur Cave (Statue of Shapur I)
-Sassanian Palace of Sarvestan

23-Iran's Transcontinental Railway
The Iran Transcontinental Railway is the name of the railway line that extends from north to south of Iran, connecting Tehran to the north on one side and to the south of Iran on the other.
This railway runs through the provinces of Golestan, Mazandaran, Semnan, Tehran, Qom, Markazi, Lorestan, and Khuzestan and is 1394 kilometers long.
Among the notable sights of this railway line is the Varesk Bridge, which is considered an engineering masterpiece during the Pahlavi era.

24-Cultural Landscape of Oramanat

Oraman or Horaman or Oramanat is the name of a mountainous region in western Iran, known as Hezar Masuleh due to its terraced houses and resemblance to the terraced village of Masuleh in Gilan. This region is located between the provinces of Kurdistan and Kermanshah and includes more than 700 villages. Oraman is also famous for its rich culture and beautiful customs and traditions, and the famous Pir Shalyar ceremony is also held in this region.

25-Iranian Caravanserai Collection

Caravanserai are an attractive display of Iranian architecture, whose purpose was to develop routes and meet travel-related needs, especially along the Silk Road.
Undoubtedly, caravanserai have been the result of the creativity and ingenuity of Iranian architects throughout history.
The names of 54 historical caravanserai in Iran, covering 24 provinces of the country, have been registered on the UNESCO list of Iranian monuments.

26-Jundishapour

Jundishapour is located 10 km east of Dezful, 30 km from Susa, and 45 km from Shushtar, and is built based on a checkerboard urban planning pattern, a pattern that itself indicates advanced urban order and planning. Also, the tomb of Yaqub Laith Safari, a prominent figure in Iranian history and the guardian of the Persian language, is located within the boundaries of this historical city.