Naqsh-e Rostam

Internationally known as Necropolis (City of the Dead), this ancient tomb complex has 4 different stone carvings, with each stone used to be the burial place of ancient kings.
You'll be able to see the tombs of King Darius, Darius II, Xerxes, and Artaxerxes I.
During my visit (Apr 2024), the tomb of Xerxes was being restored (the far right tomb).

Naghshe Rostam is a must-see archeological site located near Persepolis, it has a magical atmosphere, and you’ll be amazed that to see tombs of such great kings, and you’ll be more amazed to see that it also has some remnants from Ilamid Era, which dates near a thousand years prior to the Persian empire

Unfortunately only a short night visit due to special situation. Anyhow, the area was closed, but our smart guide managed everything. So we had a special chance to be there and feel the atmosphere.

Amazing incredible ancient place which is related to The Achaemenian kings (known as the First Persian Empire) graves. Also it contains various archeological sites carved into the rock wall through time from the Elamites to Sassanians.

Naghsh rostam is a must-see attraction for anyone interested in ancient history and culture. It is a site of four rock-cut tombs of Achaemenid kings and several bas-reliefs depicting scenes from different periods of Iranian history. The tombs are impressive in their size and detail, and the bas-reliefs are fascinating in their stories and symbolism. The site is well-maintained and has informative signs and guides. There is also a small museum nearby that displays some artifacts and models. The view of the surrounding mountains and desert is stunning, especially at sunset. I highly recommend visiting naghsh rostam if you are in the area.

A must to see!!! Naqsh-e Rustam, also known as The Necropolis, is an ancient necropolis located about 12 km northwest of Persepolis. It includes a group of ancient Iranian rock reliefs cut into the cliff, from both the Achaemenid and Sassanid periods. Its also an important funerary ensemble of Persian kings, particularly the grave of Darius I. Highly recommended!!!

That is magical place full of calmness and history.
Entry fee in 2023 was 100.000t
If u plan visit Persepolis as well,be sure u go visit before 5pm in summer,later can be closed.

Outstanding historic sight, highly recommened making atleast a day trip from Shiraz to see all the historic sights.
So impressive.
Best to come with a Guide and a driver to take it all in and understand it all.

The tombs of the Achaemenids
Carved from a cliff on the side of a sacred mountain, here lie the tombs of four of the King of Kings of the Persian Achaemenid Empire. Beneath the tombs lie later Sassanid carvings, showing that they wanted to associate themselves with the majesty of this place. Before the tombs lies a large building called Kaaba-i-Zartosht, which to this day, no one truly knows its function. In some ways it is better preserved than nearby Persepolis and for anyone who loves history, this place will bring put you in awe.

Naghsh-e Rostam as an important funerary ensemble of Achaemenian kings, particularly the graves of Darius I and Xerxes.
Their facades bear Achaemenid bas-reliefs and six important bas-reliefs from the first half of the Sassanian perid are visible below them.

Naghshe Rustam is a magnificent complex that has saved three eras of history and this is definitely one of the most invaluable wealth of Iranian heritage.

The width of each tomb is 19 meters and the length is about 93 meters. The tombs are about 26 meters above the ground level which I always amazed how they made this masterpiece of stone works.

Beautiful carvings on the mountains. Not to miss if you are visiting the archeological site of Persepolis

If you want to see history and culture 500 bc Just go and visit Naqsh-e Rostam.
A place that makes you think about yourself and your ancestors.

Naqsh-e Rustam is one of the most spectacular and awe-inspiring ancient sites of the Achaemenid Empire, consisting of the colossal tombs of Persian kings dating back to the first millennium BC.  It stands as a lasting memory of a once powerful empire that ruled over a significant portion of the ancient world.
Naqsh-e Rustam (meaning Throne of Rustam ) is located approximately 5 km (3 miles) to the northwest of Persepolis, the capital of the former Achaemenid (Persian) Empire. Engraved on the façade of a mountain range considered sacred in the Elamite periods are the rock-cut tombs of Achaemenid rulers and their families dating to the 4 th and 5 th centuries BC, as well as richly decorated reliefs carved by the Sasanians in the 3 rd century AD.  In addition to being a royal necropolis, Naqsh-e Rustam became a major ceremonial center for the Sasanians until the 7 th century AD.
The Naqsh-e Rustam site was already in use prior to the arrival of the Achaemenids, as evidenced in one pre-Achaemenid (possibly Elamite) relief and a number of old graves. Although this relief has been carved over by a Sasanian relief, a portrait of a man with a forward pointing hat and a long dress-like garment (clothing not typical of the Achaemenids and Sasanians) can still be discerned on the extreme right of the later relief. According to some sources, it was this figure that locals associated with the mythical hero of the Shahnameh writings in the “book of the kings”, named Rustam, hence the name of the site.
Although there are four tombs, only one of them can be identified with certainty, as it is accompanied by a trilingual inscription. This is the tomb of Darius I, the third ruler of the Achaemenid Empire. Above the cross façade of Darius’ tomb is a panel with a relief. The relief depicts Darius, whose hands are raised in a gesture of worship, standing on a three-stepped pedestal in front of an altar. The king’s piety accords him divine protection, as the winged disc of Ahuramazda (the god of the Zoroastrian faith), is shown floating above his head. The relief also proclaims the might of the Achaemenid Empire, as the entire scene is supported by throne bearers representing the 28 nations under the empire.
The other three tombs at Naqsh-e Rustam are thought to belong to Darius’ successors, Xerxes I, Artaxerxes I and Darius II. This is based on the fact that the layout of these tombs is copied from the tomb of Darius. Without any inscriptions or additional evidence, the identities of the tomb owners may remain merely as speculation. Other royal tombs of a similar form can be found in Persepolis. These tombs, cut into the rock face at Kuh-i Rahmat, are thought to belong to the later Achaemenid rulers, and demonstrate of the influence exerted by the tombs at Naqsh-e Rustam.

There was 4 main carvings on the mountain which were very nice, but the first one was very destroyed due to wind and passing of time

This is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Naqsh-e Rustam is the Persian equivalent of the Egyptian pyramids. Here several kings from the Achaemenid dynasty (550 - 330 BC) were buried. These kings were followers of the Zoroastrian religion. In Zoroastrian religion the air, ground, water and fire are 4 holy elements. In order not to contaminate the soil, the body of the defunct could not be burried in the ground. Were normal people's bodies were put on a tower of silence, kings were burried in a tomb excavated in the rock.
Besides the Achaemenid tombs there are also bas reliefs from the Sassanid period.

Naqsh-e Rustam is consist of four ancient tombs cut high into the cliff face. These ancient tombs belong to the Achaemenid Rule (500–330 BC), hence, it is quite ancient. Few Engraved pictures on the walls gives hint about important incidents. Nevertheless, this is another historical site which attracts lot of foreign tourists & local Iranians. Those who are keen of visiting tombs of Kings, Naqsh-e-Rustam is good site to be visited.

Biblical kings can be confusing. King Darius in the Bible is no different. As in other royal lines, ancient Mesopotamian kings often bore the names of previous kings or went by a similar name. For instance, keeping track of all the Herods in the New Testament can be a lot of work. Kings also may have been known by different names in different territories.

There was no Israelite king named Darius, but there were at least two kings named Darius in the Old Testament who impacted the Jews. One King Darius reigned briefly in Babylon and had a memorable impact on the great prophet Daniel. The other King Darius reigned under Cyrus, the great Persian king who allowed the Jewish people to return to the Promised Land after their exile.

beautiful sight, historicaly important.
the necropolis of the Achaemenid dynasty (c. 550–330 BC), with four large tombs cut high into the cliff face. These have mainly architectural decoration, but the facades include large panels over the doorways, each very similar in content, with figures of the king being invested by a god, above a zone with rows of smaller figures bearing tribute, with soldiers and officials. The three classes of figures are sharply differentiated in size. The entrance to each tomb is at the center of each cross, which opens onto a small chamber, where the king lay in a sarcophagus.

also you can see the cube of Zoroaster.

incredible experience. a must see for everyone.

Visit this place and see the pure Persian ancient history. This is one of the best locations in Fars province. This is one of my top 10 places to visit in Iran.