Persepolis: Iran tourism gateway faces climate threats
توسط در تاریخ ۱۵ فروردين ۱۳۹۶
Shrinking land, drought and algae growth put stress on UNESCO site as tourist arrivals grow after lifting of sanctions.
It has been more than a year since international sanctions against Iran were lifted, symbolically reopening the country to the rest of the world.
While political tensions between the West and Tehran continue, one of the industries that has benefited most from the thawing of relations is tourism, with the country reporting 18 percent growth in international arrivals last year. Visitors from North America, Europe and the Middle East represented more than a quarter of the total number of arrivals from January to December 2016, according to a ForwardKeys study published in January.
Among the top destinations in Iran is Persepolis, the 2,500-year-old heritage site, once considered to be the capital of the Persian empire. Located north of the city of Shiraz, Persepolis, also known as Takht-e-Jamshid (Throne of Jamshid), has been in ruins since Alexander the Great raided it in 333 BC.
What is left of the ancient city has become an attraction for local and foreign visitors alike, particularly after it was declared a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1979. At the Gate of Xerxes, two massive winged bulls with human heads, also known as Lamassu, stand at the eastern doorway.
In recent years, however, agricultural activities have caused the soil around Persepolis to collapse owing to the depletion of groundwater and drought. Growth of algae and bacteria in the ruins have also threatened the many archaeological objects at the site, which was carved on the side of the Rahmet Mountain.
But with the reopening of the country, experts from Japan and Italy are lending their hands to preserve the site for the many visitors expected in the years to come.
Persepolis is a 2,500-year-old heritage site, once considered to be the capital of the Persian Empire. [Mohammad Ali Najib/Al Jazeera]
Darius the Great, the king of the Achaemenid Empire, started to build the city in 518 BC, carving it on the side of the Rahmet Mountain. [Mohammad Ali Najib/Al Jazeera]
In 1971, Persepolis became the main staging ground of the 2,500-year celebration of the Persian Empire, hosted by the Pahlavi Dynasty. [Mohammad Ali Najib/Al Jazeera]
Persepolis, also known as Takht-e-Jamshid (Throne of Jamshid), was declared a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1979. [Mohammad Ali Najib/Al Jazeera]
One of the most imposing parts of Persepolis are the Lamassus, the massive winged bulls with human heads, that stand on the eastern doorway of the Gate of Xerxes. [Mohammad Ali Najib/Al Jazeera]
After the ousting of the Shah of Iran, Persepolis continued to be protected, despite Ayatollah Khomeini's criticism of the lavish celebration in 1971. [Mohammad Ali Najib/Al Jazeera]
Persepolis is also one of the most popular destinations among local tourists, especially during Nowruz, the Persian New Year. [Mohammad Ali Najib/Al Jazeera]
Around 333 BC, the site was laid to ruins after the invasion of Alexander the Great. [Mohammad Ali Najib/Al Jazeera]
Persepolis is located 60km northeast of the city of Shiraz and its international airport, making it accessible to international tourists. [Mohammad Ali Najib/Al Jazeera]
According to a recent study, Iran reported 18 percent growth in international arrivals in 2016. [Mohammad Ali Najib/Al Jazeera]
Visitors from North America, Europe and the Middle East represented a substantial portion of tourist arrivals in 2016. [Mohammad Ali Najib/Al Jazeera]
According to a recent report, depletion of groundwater has caused land subsidence of as much as 600 metres, threatening the ancient site. [Mohammad Ali Najib/Al Jazeera]
In April 2016, Air France resumed its Paris-Tehran flights after eight years, opening up a new tourism market to the country. [Mohammad Ali Najib/Al Jazeera]
Experts from Japan and Italy are lending their hands to protect the site from climate-induced destruction and human activities. [Mohammad Ali Najib/Al Jazeera]
Persepolis still faces the possibility of losing its world heritage status if efforts to restore the site fail. [Mohammad Ali Najib/Al Jazeera]
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