Shiraz

Our last stop in Iran is the city of Shiraz, yes it is named after the eponymous grape. Ironic as the imposition of strict Sharia law by the Ayatollahs has banned all alcohol. It is a busy city with the traffic congestion that is the hallmark of all the big Iranian cities.

We visit the mosque here known as the pink mosque for the colour of its decorations. Inside the mosque the sunlight streaming through a series of stained glass windows results in a kaleidoscopic play of colour lighting.

An hour north of the city is my favourite part of this country, the archeological site of Persepolis. The ceremonial capitol of the Achaeminid Empire it dates back to 515BC, this was the palace of King Darius the great and his successors. A wide stone staircase takes us up to the elevated complex. Firstly we walk through the massive gates where two massive bulls with emperor heads flank the walkway.. Multiple columns remain soaring skyward and providing perspective on the massive magnitude of the building. The actual palace is also marked by multiple columns and was where the king received foreign delegations. All of these encounters are recorded carved in stone on various beautifully carved and preserved reliefs around the palace. Across the valley in the distance are the tombs of the great rulers of the Achaeminid dynasty. In 330BC Alexander the Great attacked Persepolis and set fire to the complex tragically destroying all but the stone infrastructure most of which is what I see today. As an archeology “tragic” I am in my element here.

As quick as that my time in Iran is at an end. I have a 6pm flight out and have to catch a cab straight to the airport. I am impressed by the beauty of this country. The people go out of their way to ask where I am from and welcome me to their country. Above all after recent unrest throughout the country I was somewhat anxious regarding personal security. I saw no evidence of unrest, tension nor any military or police presence on the street. In retrospect I could have easily back packed independently here.