Ardashir Babakan — a 1,800-year-old Sassanian ensemble of domes, ivans and interlocking halls — still reads like a blueprint for later Persian monuments.
Traveling to lesser-known historic sites has an extra pleasure: fewer crowds let you study the remains of ancient Iran in calm. I’m especially keen that modern visitors don’t leave their marks on these places — graffiti scrawled onto old walls drains the site’s dignity. If you have a trip planned to Shiraz, make time for Ardashir Babakan.
The county once called “Gur” (now Firuzabad) sat in a hollow surrounded by massive ramparts. When Alexander the Great attacked, he could not breach those walls and is said to have diverted a nearby river; the hollow filled and briefly became a lake. That lake remained until Ardashir Sassanid took action to drain it, and the city was thereafter known as Ardashir-Khwarah. Later, after Arab incursions and rebuilding, the name became Firuzabad.
Ardashir Babakan Palace was built in the 3rd century CE (224 CE) by Ardashir Babakan, one of the Sassanid dynasty’s founders. The palace — also called the Firuzabad Fire Temple — stands in Firuzabad, Fars Province, and is more than 1,800 years old.
Some specialists argue the structure was originally a fire temple rather than a palace, because it sits beside water. In ancient belief, buildings beside water were often places for worship of Anahita, the water goddess. That proximity to the Qamp spring is one reason the complex is also known as the Firuzabad Fire Temple.
One prominent archaeologist, the late Professor Pirnia, argued that calling the monument a palace is a misnomer: it lacks several features typical of palaces and should be treated as the largest fire temple in Fars. Other archaeologists, however, suggest Ardashir may have used this complex as a throne hall and official residence.
Ardashir Babakan consists of three principal parts: a central courtyard, two ivans and three lateral halls. The building footprint measures roughly 104 by 55 metres. Builders used classic Sassanian materials — tile, gypsum plaster and semi-dressed stone — yielding an interior of notable beauty.
The presence of large ivans and a dome makes Ardashir one of the earliest structures with these features 1,800 years ago. The construction is robust: despite centuries of damage the tall dome and ivans remain standing.
On the eastern side you can see four domed chambers connected by squinches (fil-poush), each dome pierced at the crown by a circular opening about one metre across. The fil-gush (squinch) technique — transforming a square base to a circular dome — was a key method for erecting domes on high walls.
A stream runs alongside the eastern wall of the palace; water helped sustain the area and made the site strategically important. To the north of the complex lies a spring surrounded by green landscape.
Unfortunately, in Azar 1399 (Dec 2020) flooding exposed parts of the palace to water and damaged sections of its original ramparts.
The palace’s halls form an interlocking sequence — one hall within another — and all interconnect. This plan distinguishes Ardashir from many other Sassanian buildings.
One reason for the complex’s long durability is the use of mekhaki (peg) stones in foundations, halls, corridors and ivans. Inside the halls you can still find delicate Sassanian-style stucco work. On the outer wall of the palace a stone relief depicts Ardashir’s coronation ceremony.
Ardashir Babakan has a large central courtyard flanked by two substantial ivans. This layout — courtyard, halls and surrounding ivans — became a common internal form in later historic buildings, suggesting Sassanian architects innovated this interior model.
The palace is one of the earliest Sassanian monuments to feature both ivan and dome. You can observe a tall central iwan, two large arched ivans and several smaller ivans.
Sassanian builders used the gilouei technique — the throat-like band between arch and wall which often carries stucco and paint — for smaller ivans; the same method appears at Persepolis.
The domed ivans remaining at Ardashir are vivid proof of Sassanian masons’ skill. Their structural strength and form influenced later builders across eras.
Because domed buildings were not widespread in the Sassanian period, Ardashir likely represents one of the earliest uses of dome architecture in that dynasty. The palace has four domes, each set using corner-to-dome techniques described earlier.
The palace’s interlocking halls bear fragments of Sassanian stucco ornamentation. Craftsmen plastered interior and exterior walls to cover raw mudbrick and then decorated them; today only small portions of that original stucco remain.
You can clearly see rectangular pillars and mekhaki stone columns at Ardashir, resembling Parthian-era columns but wrapped with attractive stucco ornamentation
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Because Fars Province has a fairly hot, dry climate, spring is the recommended season. The palace sits in open plainland, so summer visits are uncomfortable due to heat.
Autumn, with cooler breezes, is also suitable; winter’s chill can make visits difficult. Overall, spring through mid-Ordibehesht (mid-May) and autumn are the best windows for a visit.
Ardashir Babakan lies about 3 kilometres from Firuzabad city centre in Fars Province. Although entry used to be free, it is reported that from the year 1403 an entrance fee applies. Due to limited lighting on site, visiting between 08:00 and before sunset is recommended.
Take the Shiraz–Jahrom road, continue southeast toward Firuzabad’s forest park, and after crossing the park you’ll find signs indicating Ardashir Babakan (Firuzabad Fire Temple).
Ardashir Babakan stands among the finest examples of Sassanian architectural art. Its dome construction, ivans and stucco work reflect a level of taste and skill that later builders adopted. When you next visit Shiraz, allow half a day for this site to see an essential chapter of the country’s past. Please share your photos from the visit.
Tip | Quick note |
|---|---|
Best season | Spring (recommended) and autumn; avoid peak summer heat. |
Visiting hours / light | Site has limited lighting — visit between 08:00 and before sunset. |
Location & access | The palace is ~3 km from Firuzabad; reach via the Shiraz–Jahrom road and pass Firuzabad forest park. |
Entry fee note | Entry was free in the past; reports say from 1403 an entrance fee applies. |
Flood damage awareness | In Azar 1399 (Dec 2020) flooding caused water ingress and partial damage to some ramparts — expect ongoing conservation work. |
