Persepolis is an ancient city in Marvdasht County, Iran. Its recorded beginning is around 510 BCE, so the site is more than 2,500 years old. Today, visitors can see large stone gateways, tall columns, and carved walls under the open sky. The photograph shows the Gate of All Nations. Its high columns and strong stone blocks give an idea of the city’s grand design. Persepolis covers about 12.5 hectares. This was a very large place for its time. One surprising fact is its discovery date: 1621. People in the modern world learned about the ancient site many centuries after its beginning. The ruins still show careful building and detailed stone work. Persepolis is now an Iranian national heritage site and a World Heritage site. It is important for the history of Iran and for the study of ancient cities. Walking among the remains helps visitors imagine a city that began over two thousand years ago.
