Atashgah - a Zoroastrian fire temple with an amazing survival story from ancient Persia - Esfahan in Iran!

Esfahan or Isfahan is considered as one of the most beautiful city`s in the world. Its located about 340 kilometres south of Tehran, and is the capital of Isfahan Province and Iran's third largest city after Tehran and Mashhad. Its population is over 2 millions.

Esfahan has been designated by UNESCO as a world heritage city. It contains a wide variety of Islamic Architectural sites ranging from the 11th century to the 19th. One of ancient wonders in Esfahan, as mentioned, who is not noticed by UNESCO, is the Atashgah - the Zoroastrian fire temple.

Esfahan has a violent history, and has lost many great wonders due several wars. Before the Arabs invaded Iran, there were many fire temples in Esfahan. The Arabs destroyed them all, except this one on top of a hill. So why did this temple survive? It`s steep and very hard to climb up the hill where the temple stands, especially in the summer. I was nearly boiled in the sun. Perhaps the Arabs were so exhausted after the climbing to the top of this hill that they had no energy left to destroy it.

When I finally reached the top, and after I retained my breath, I could admire the ancient temple. I enjoyed also the wonderful view over Esfahan.

Photo. A wonderful view from the top of the hill where Atashgah stands - the Zoroastrian fire temple in Esfahan. © Travel Explorations.

The Arabs ruled in Esfahan until 1050. They converted most of the population to Islam. They were fought back by a Turkish dynasty, which conquered Esfahan in 1051.

The Turks were thrown out by Genghis Khan's Mongol warriors in the early 13th century, but become later squeezed out again by Turkmen tribes, Ottoman Turks and European colonialists such as Portugal. The city been has benn invaded several times since then and the situation has through centuries been very unstable until late in the 20th century.

Zoroastrianism was once the state religion of Sassanid - Sassanian - in Iran, and was central in the Achaemenid and Parthian empires in Persia - now officially called Iran. The religion is also known as Mazdaism by some followers and Zarathustrianism by others.

Many traits of the Zoroastrian faith are still present in all Iranian peoples' cultures and traditions from Kurdistan and the Caucausus to Iran and Central Asia. As Lonely Planet (www.LonelyPlanet.com) writes on its website: "Iran's religiousness is its most striking cultural feature - it pervades all aspects of life."

The beauty of the city, the amazing wonders and the fascinating history, is well worth a visit to Esfahan. Actually my best experience in Esfahan was meeting so many friendly people. In general I will say the biggest wonder of Iran is the people themselves: they have an outstanding universal value as friendliness and hospitality, and should be notified on UNESCO World Cultural and Natural Heritage List. I will say as James Matthew Barrie (1860-1937) wrote, the author of Peter Pan: "Those who bring sunshine into the lives of others cannot keep it from themselves".

Stein Morten Lund, 8 February 2006

Additional information
UNESCO`s work (UNESCO`s website ) is committed in an international treaty called the Convention concerning the Protection of the World Cultural and Natural Heritage, adopted by UNESCO in 1972.

The World Heritage List includes 812 properties forming part of the cultural and natural heritage which the World Heritage Committee considers as having outstanding universal value.

These include 628 cultural, 160 natural and 24 mixed properties in 137 States Parties.

Photo. Kabeh-e Zarthusht - Cube of Zoroaster, Naqsh-e Rustam, near Shiraz in Iran. This building is still a mystery. Is it connected to the Zoroastrianism religion? © Travel Explorations.