Some of the 52 "sites of Iranian Culture" that Donald Trump could target in the forthcoming war.
Number 1: Persepolis
The ancient ceremonial capital of the Achaemeneid empire (550 BC) and mythical UNESCO site of Iran.
Number 1: Persepolis
The ancient ceremonial capital of the Achaemeneid empire (550 BC) and mythical UNESCO site of Iran.
Number 2 of the #52Sites: Naghsh-e Jahan (Map of the World) Square, Isfahan
UNESCO site built in the Safavid era of Persia. The main square was a Polo stadium!
UNESCO site built in the Safavid era of Persia. The main square was a Polo stadium!
Number 3 of the #52Sites : Cyrus Tomb in Pasargadae
The tomb of the Great King Cyrus the Great 539–538 BC - who first wrote down the doctrine of Human Rights on his Cyrus Cylinder, freed the Jewish people from Babylon and is a holy figure mentioned in the Torah, Bible and Qoran
The tomb of the Great King Cyrus the Great 539–538 BC - who first wrote down the doctrine of Human Rights on his Cyrus Cylinder, freed the Jewish people from Babylon and is a holy figure mentioned in the Torah, Bible and Qoran
Number 4 of the #52Sites : Golestan Palace in Tehran
The former royal Qajar complex in Iran's capital city, Tehran
The former royal Qajar complex in Iran's capital city, Tehran
Number 5 of the #52Sites: The Palace of Darius at Susa
The ancient palace complex of the Achamaeneid King Darius
The ancient palace complex of the Achamaeneid King Darius
Number 6 of the #52Sites: The Poets tombs at Shiraz
The tombs of the great poets Hafez and Saadi in Shiraz - the ancient city of Poetry, Love and Wine
The tombs of the great poets Hafez and Saadi in Shiraz - the ancient city of Poetry, Love and Wine
Number 7 of the #52Sites : The Grand Ali Qapu palace of Isfahan
The Imperial Gate to Splendour of the old capital
The Imperial Gate to Splendour of the old capital
Number 8 of the #52Sites: The Amir Chakhmagh Complex of Yazd
A Historical building from the Timurid era
A Historical building from the Timurid era
Number 9 of the #52Sites: The Old Family homes of Kashan
The Tabatabayi House and Amari House Pictured, all with fountain pools
The Tabatabayi House and Amari House Pictured, all with fountain pools
Number 10 of the #52Sites: The Pink Mosque of Shiraz
Number 11 of the #52Sites: The Old Synagogues of Central Tehran
Yusef Abad and Haim Synagogues pictured
Yusef Abad and Haim Synagogues pictured
Number 12 of the #52Sites: The Garden of Paradise (Eram Garden) in Shiraz
Number 13 of the #52Sites: The Tomb of Avicenna, Hamedan
The mausoleum of the ancient Persian physician and polymath who was a father of modern medicine
The mausoleum of the ancient Persian physician and polymath who was a father of modern medicine
Number 14 of the #52Sites: Masouleh - the Rooftop Village on the Mountain
Number 15 of the #52Sites: The many beautiful ancient bridges of Isfahan.
Number 16 of the #52Sites: The Palace of 8 Heavens "Hasht Behesht", Isfahan
Number 19 of the #52Sites : Emamzadeh Hassan Village, Jangal district
Number 20 of the #52Sites : Vank Church in Isfahan
One of the largest of Iran's 800 churches. Built in 1606, the active church was dedicated to the hundreds of thousands displaced Armenian people due to the Ottoman War.
One of the largest of Iran's 800 churches. Built in 1606, the active church was dedicated to the hundreds of thousands displaced Armenian people due to the Ottoman War.
Number 21 of the #52Sites: The Azadi Tower in Tehran
The symbolic "Liberty Tower" combining elements of old and new
The symbolic "Liberty Tower" combining elements of old and new
Number 22 of the #52Sites: The Palace of Tachara
This is a ceremonial building which survived the burnings of Alexander the Great
This is a ceremonial building which survived the burnings of Alexander the Great
Number 23 of the #52Sites: The Ghare Kelisa in West Azerbaijan province
Ghare Kelisa is an Armenian monastery in West Azerbaijan, Iran. After being damaged by an earthquake in 1319, it was rebuilt, leaving little known about it's origin.
Ghare Kelisa is an Armenian monastery in West Azerbaijan, Iran. After being damaged by an earthquake in 1319, it was rebuilt, leaving little known about it's origin.
Number 24 of the #52Sites: The Dolat Abad Garden, Yazd
This small pavilion and Unesco-listed gardens was built about 1750 with detailed latticework and stained glass windows.
This small pavilion and Unesco-listed gardens was built about 1750 with detailed latticework and stained glass windows.
Number 25 of the #52Sites: The Bam Citadel
The largest adobe building in the world. Built 579–323 BC.
The largest adobe building in the world. Built 579–323 BC.
Number 26 of the #52Sites: The Palace of Ardashir, Shiraz
The Palace of the legendary Ardashir - built into the mountains
The Palace of the legendary Ardashir - built into the mountains
Number 28 of the #52Sites: The Emam Reza Shrine, Mashhad
Number 30 of the #52Sites : The Blue Mosque, Tabriz
Number 31 of the #52Sites : Gonbad-e Qabus tower, Gonbad-e Qabus
A huge cylindrical imposing tower built in 1006
A huge cylindrical imposing tower built in 1006
Number 32 of the #52Sites : The masjed-e Jame of Isfahan
Number 33 of the #52Sites : The Soltaniyeh Dome
A Capital of the Mongol Ilkhanid rulers of Iran in the 14th century
A Capital of the Mongol Ilkhanid rulers of Iran in the 14th century
Number 34 of the #52Sites : The Firuzabad Ensemble and old Sassanid Art (224 CE–651)
Number 35 of the #52Sites : The Ancient Caravanserais of the desert, Khurasan-e Razavi, Isfahan and Yazd Provinces
Number 36 of the #52Sites : The Taq-e Bostan "Arch of the Garden" rock reliefs, Kermanshah
Number 37 of the #52Sites : The Collection of Historical Bridges, Lorestan Province
Number 38 of the #52Sites: The Ancient Soleymanieh Spring, Kashan
Mythical Spring for 6th millenium BC
Mythical Spring for 6th millenium BC
Number 39 of the #52Sites: The Historic Centre of Yazd
The City of Windcatchers - which still has a sizeable Zoroastrian and Jewish community
The City of Windcatchers - which still has a sizeable Zoroastrian and Jewish community
Number 41 of the #52Sites: The Takht-e Soleyman (Fort of Solomon) fortification, West Azerbaijan province
Apparently King Solomon used to imprison monsters in the crater....
Apparently King Solomon used to imprison monsters in the crater....
Number 42 of the #52Sites: The Historic Bazaar of Tabriz
Number 43 of the #52Sites : The Behistun Inscription Cliff (522 BC), Kermanshah
Inscriptions dedicated to the Zoroastrian religion on a cliff
Inscriptions dedicated to the Zoroastrian religion on a cliff
Number 44 of the #52Sites : The Ancient Rocky Village of Meymand, Kerman
The structures date back to 12,000 years ago....
The structures date back to 12,000 years ago....
Number 45 of the #52Sites : The Burnt City "Shahre Sukhteh", Sistan and Baluchistan province
No one knows the history of this city from 3200 years BC, though some ancient cups (and the first artificial eyeball) have been found there
No one knows the history of this city from 3200 years BC, though some ancient cups (and the first artificial eyeball) have been found there
Number 46 of the #52Sites : The Shushtar Historical Hydraulic System, The Island City of Shushtar
One of the first irrigation systems ever created, from 500BC
One of the first irrigation systems ever created, from 500BC
Number 47 of the #52Sites : The Castle of Alamut (The "Eagle's Nest"), Qazvin
Have you played #AssassinsCreed ? The worlds first assassin (and creator of the cult of assassins) had his castle here
Have you played #AssassinsCreed ? The worlds first assassin (and creator of the cult of assassins) had his castle here
Number 48 of the #52Sites : The village of Dizin, Alborz Mountain range, Iran
A group of cottages and resort established by the former Shah Mohammad Reza Pahlavi. The slopes have fantastic powder.
A group of cottages and resort established by the former Shah Mohammad Reza Pahlavi. The slopes have fantastic powder.
Number 50 of the #52Sites : The Qavam House and Naranjestan Garden, Shiraz
Number 51 of the #52Sites: Naghsh-e Rostam and Naghsh-e Rajab
Ancient necropolises of the Achaemeneid dynasty (550-330 BC) cut into cliff faces
Ancient necropolises of the Achaemeneid dynasty (550-330 BC) cut into cliff faces
Number 52 of the #52Sites: The Chehel Sotoun Palace, Isfahan
Number 17 of the #52Sites: The most recent entry in this list, this structure was designed by Leila Araghian, a young architect. She wanted a natural bridge to connect to large parks in Tehran. The bridge has taken a life of its own as a meeting place for young and old
