Decision : 27 COM 8C.22
Takht-e Soleyman (Iran (Islamic Republic of))
The World Heritage Committee,
1. Inscribes Takht-e Soleyman, Islamic Republic of Iran, on the World Heritage List on the basis of cultural criteria (i), (ii), (iii), (iv) and (vi):
Criterion (i): Takht-e Soleyman is an outstanding ensemble of royal architecture, joining the principal architectural elements created by the Sasanians in a harmonious composition inspired by their natural context.
Criterion (ii): The composition and the architectural elements created by the Sasanians at Takht-e Soleyman have had strong influence not only in the development of religious architecture in the Islamic period, but also in other cultures.
Criterion (iii): The ensemble of Takht-e Soleyman is an exceptional testimony of the continuation of cult related to fire and water over a period of some two and half millennia. The archaeological heritage of the property is further enriched by the Sasanian town, which is still to be excavated.
Criterion (iv): Takht-e Soleyman represents an outstanding example of a Zoroastrian sanctuary, integrated with Sasanian palatial architecture within a composition, which can be seen as a prototype.
Criterion (vi): As the principal Zoroastrian sanctuary, Takht-e Soleyman is the foremost property associated with one of the early monotheistic religions of the world. The property has many important symbolic relationships, being also a testimony of the association of the ancient beliefs, much earlier than the Zoroastrianism, as well as in its association with significant biblical figures and legends.
Documents
Decisions adopted by the 27th Session of the World Heritage Committee in 2003" >
WHC-03/27.COM/24Context of Decision
WHC-03/27.COM/8C
WHC-03/27.COM/INF.8A
WHC-03/27.COM/INF.8A Add
WHC-03/27.COM/INF.8B
WHC-03/27.COM/INF.8C
