Persepolis to receive UNESCO certificate

press tv
Sun, 14 Dec 2008 08:44:30 GMT

A view of the ceremonial Achaemenid capital of Persepolis which has in
its heart untold stories of Iranian history.
UNESCO is scheduled to present its world heritage certificate to the
ancient site of Persepolis in the southern Iranian province of Fars.

United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization
(UNESCO) will award the certificate to Iran during a ceremony to mark
the country’s efforts in safeguarding the ancient site.

The Achaemenid site of Persepolis was registered on the UNESCO World
Heritage List in 1979.

Founded by Darius I in 518 BCE, Persepolis was the capital of the
Achaemenid Empire. It was built on an immense half-artificial,
half-natural terrace, where the king of kings created an impressive
palace complex inspired by Mesopotamian models.

The importance and quality of the monumental ruins make it a unique
archaeological site.

According to the United Nations Information Centre (UNIC), certificates
will be granted to Iran’s Armenian Monastic Ensembles, Soltanieh Dome,
Takht-e-Suleiman, and Choqa Zanbil.