TEHRAN -- The Department of Cultural Heritage, Tourism, and Handicrafts of Fars Province has announced the ongoing restoration of select sections of the historically significant Palace of Ardashir Babakan in Firuzabad — a key architectural landmark from the early Sasanian period and a registered UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Mohsen Ziaei, acting director of the department, confirmed on Sunday that the restoration initiative is part of a broader effort to preserve one of the most prominent structures of the Sasanian dynasty. “The Palace of Ardashir is not only a national treasure but also an international symbol of Sasanian architectural and political legacy. Our commitment to its preservation is a duty to both heritage and scholarship,” he said.
According to Ziaei, the current phase of restoration has begun with an allocation of over 20 billion rials (approx. $40,000 USD). The effort is focused on structural conservation, aesthetic preservation, and damage control.
The conservation team is undertaking a wide array of technical interventions, including grouting with traditional gypsum mixtures, repointing masonry joints, replacing deteriorated rubble stones, applying protective plaster layers, and filling both surface and deep cracks through tailored stitching methods. Debris removal and surface cleaning are also part of the broader protective strategy.
Ziaei highlighted the architectural brilliance of the site, noting that the palace — constructed with stone and gypsum mortar — was likely a seasonal royal residence for Ardashir I, the founder of the Sasanian Empire. “Its grand iwans, richly decorated halls, and intricate plasterwork bear a striking resemblance to the Tachara Palace at Persepolis,” he remarked.
Uniquely situated beside a natural spring known as Qomp-e Atashkadeh, the palace’s location has long suggested both strategic and symbolic importance. The proximity of water and fire elements has led to local traditions identifying the site as an Atashkadeh (fire temple), although scholarly consensus maintains its primary function was palatial.
Located approximately 90 kilometers south of Shiraz and just 5 kilometers from Firuzabad, the palace is considered one of the earliest surviving examples of domed architecture in Iran and a vital case study for understanding Sasanian urbanism and imperial identity.