A Brief Description: Vestiges of Takht-e Soleyman ( Azargoshnasb Fire Temple )

Geographic Situation:

Takht-e Soleyman is a Complex Site located 42km northeast of Takab, in western

Azerbaijan.

This Complex and its effervescent spring are situated on a stone platform standing 20 meters higher then the surrounding area and formed by lake sediments.

Historic Background:

Studies have shown that haman settlememtz existed in this regionin the first millennium BC and that the Azargoshnasb fire temple was built on top of Parthian remains. In the Sasanian period, particularly during the reigns of khosrow-Anushirvan (AD 531-579) and khosrow II AD (590-628), special attention was devoted to its development. In the pahlavi language, the site of the fire temple of takht-e soleyman was called Ganzak or Ganjeh. The romans called it Gazka and the Arabs knew it as shiz. Following the defeat of khosrow II's army by the romans in AD 624, the temple was looted and destroyed by the invaders and its prestige declined

During the Islamic period, the temples prosperity further decreased. In the II-khanid period, with the addition of supplementary buildinge, particularly the restoration of khosrow's avian by Abaga-khan, political and social activities began in this area, which was abopted as the summer capital, until the 17^th century, when it was totally abandoned.

Architectural characteristics:

The materials used in this ensemble consist of rough and cut stones, large brich (sasanian period), carved stucco and tile-work (II-khanid period)

Historic Relics and Interesting Sites Around Takht-e Soleyman:

Ejdeha Dashi (Dragon's Stone), Zindan Dagi (hollow mountain) or Soleymans prison, takht-e

bolqeis (sasanian period), warm springs, chamli (chaman-e moteharrek) and scores of other attractive natural and historical sites form various periods. This ancient site was the Iranian cultural and historical site registedred in the list of the world cultural heritage in 2003.