A Visit to Iran & Persepolis.

A decade ago I traveled to Iran or at least one part of it. I went in an engineering capacity to commision new equipment for food processing.

I was in Shiraz which is near mountains and being January it was, to say the least, a little chilly although very sunny when it didn't snow. The people were friendly and anxious to talk about Manchester United. Why does half the world support Manchester United? Everywhere I go people want to talk about Manchester United. Difficult for me as the last football match I went to watch was at the age of 15, and I was there under protest then. Football or soccer if you are in the US is not a game I have the slightest bit of interest in.

I was able to take a few pictures while there of Shiraz and Persepolis which for many years was the capital of Persia and dates back to around 500 BC. A very interesting place to visit. I had not taken my camera but a Dutch engineer with me had a spare camera which I was able to borrow. Although it was point and shoot with little control over settings.

Visiting heads of government relief stone carving.

Stone carving of a lion attacking a bull. This is a common theme.

Entrance steps to the site.

View of the whole site from the Tombs.

This would have been the original entrance gate. Unfortunately, names have been scratched into the stone in the thirties which is such a shame to have this type of vandalism.

One of the many carved supports.

View of columns one of the buildings had 100 columns supporting the roof. This is 2000 years ago. No mean feat.

Foot carvings in relief.

A local tomb to the site

The main road to the site. This must have been an incredible sight in its day.

**These are a number of tombs near to Persepolis. **

One of the tombs opened showing the stone coffin. The coffin only contains bones. The body was placed on top of the hills for the birds to eat. Later the bones were collected and laid to rest in the tombs which were sealed. (Or at least that is what I was told. Often people will tell a story that is not quite the whole truth.)

A tomb with battle scene below

Interior of the castle at Shiraz
!
The castle Tower at Shiraz.

The Castle

The Castle

The Castle

Local Street scenes and the Bazar