As the home of one of the oldest civilisations, Iran is rich in cultural heritage, historical architecture and rare treasures. But sadly, due to the current political climate and the pandemic, seeing these sites in real life remains a distant dream for most of us. The US government has a 'Do Not Travel' warning in place for Iran, while the British Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) advises against all but essential travel to the whole of Iran, except for certain border areas where all travel is advised against. So here we unlock the extraordinary ancient places currently off-limits to tourists.

Persepolis, capital of the Achaemenid Empire, is one of the greatest remaining cities of the ancient world and the most famous of Iran’s cultural treasures. But, for now, western tourists are unable to explore its vast and remarkable complex of palaces, gates, kings’ mausoleums, reliefs, and stairways. Founded by Darius I in 518 BC, the architectural masterpiece was built from limestone at the foot of Kuh-e Rahmat (Mountain of Mercy) in southwestern Iran.

Along with Persepolis's ornate columns and richly decorated façades, the Gate of All Nations (pictured) is one of the ruin’s most famous sights. The Achaemenian palaces of Persepolis were built upon massive terraces and decorated with long rock relief carvings for which the ancient Persians are known. The great city was torched by Alexander the Great in 321 BC during the reign of Darius III, and large parts of the complex destroyed. It sits 30 miles (50 km) northeast of the city of Shiraz.

Among the dazzling ancient treasures that western tourists can no longer visit are the striking rock-cut tombs of Naqhsh-e-Rostam. Located near the city of Shiraz, this ancient necropolis of the Achaemenid Empire is cut into cliffs high above the ground. The four colossal tombs are thought to be those of Darius II, Artaxerxes I, Darius I and Xerxes I.

Exquisite relief carvings adorn panels above the openings of each tomb which date back to the 4th and 5th centuries BC. Elsewhere large, carved rock reliefs are cut into the mountain façade. These richly decorated reliefs were carved by the Sasanians in the 3rd century AD to commemorate the battles of the Achaemenid dynasty. As well as being a royal necropolis, Naqsh-e Rostam (meaning Throne of Rustam) became a major ceremonial centre for the Sasanians until the 7th century. 

This sprawling ancient inn, found in the centre of Kavir National Park in Qom province, was likely first constructed in the Sassanid era (AD 224–651) along the ancient trade route between Rey and Qom. Deir-e Gachin is one of many caravansaries that pepper the Iranian desert but it’s one of the largest and oldest. It was restored during the Safavid dynasty (16th-18th centuries) when caravansaries flourished along the Silk Road to provide refuge to travellers and traders. Centred around a huge courtyard, the vast structure includes a mosque, stone mill, bathhouse, prayer hall and two wells.

The Ghoortan, or Ghurtan, Citadel lies in the Varzaneh desert near the Zayandehrud River in the Isfahan province and is one of the country’s most ancient fortresses. The complex of mud-brick buildings, which includes watchtowers, gates, mosques, castles, and a bazaar, is thought to date to AD 429-439.

Among the sunbaked remains of the ancient mud fortress are a pigeon house, water reservoir, mill and many houses. It is protected by 14 round crenellated towers and there are two imposing gateways. Incredibly, a handful of families still live in the age-old adobe citadel.

Any travel to Bam in southeastern Iran near the border with Pakistan is completely advised against by the UK government, putting one of the country’s most extraordinary and ancient cities out of reach for travellers for the time being. The medieval fortified town Arg-e Bam, a UNESCO World Heritage Site located within the city of Bam, dates back to the 6th century BC and the Achaemenid period. It is one of the world’s largest mud-brick structures. 

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Most of the citadel remaining today was established during the Sasanian dynasty (AD 224–651) when the oasis town was a key stop on the old Silk Road, lying along the southern edge of the Iranian high plateau. Tragically a major earthquake in 2003 destroyed much of Arg-e Bam, along with parts of the modern city of Bam, but great strides have been taken to rebuild the old city and retain its original character.

The capital of Maragheh county in the East Azerbaijan province of Iran, the city of Maragheh has many ancient sights that now lie out of reach to most international tourists including the Kabud Dome. One of three mighty tombs built here, the Kabud Dome (or Gunbad-i Qabud) has a decagonal brick chamber with a stone base and a crypt. It is said to be the tomb of the mother of Hollakoo, the Mongol ruler who conquered Iran in the 13th century.

Another UNESCO site currently off-limits can be found on the sacred mountain of Bisotun in Kermanshah, western Iran. Set along an ancient trade route, Bisotun's significant archaeological remains range from prehistoric times to the Median, Achaemenid, Sasanian and Ilkhanid periods. The highlight is a large-scale bas-relief that was ordered by Darius I when he rose to the throne of the Persian Empire in 521 BC. It depicts his victory over his enemies.

The first of Iran's historical sites to be inscribed on UNESCO’s World Heritage List, Choqa Zanbil is the best example of Elamite architecture in the world. The ancient Elam civilisation ruled in the far west and south-west of Iran before the Achaemenid Empire and the ruins of the palace and temple complex near Susa are very impressive.

At the heart of the site, which is thought to have been constructed as a sacred city around 1250 BC by Elamite king Untash-Napirisha, is a striking brick ziggurat (a terraced structure typical of the Mesopotamian civilisation). The main god honoured here was Inshushinak – one of the major deities of the Elamite religion – and it was used as a place both of worship and for burial.

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Described as a “masterpiece of creative genius” by UNESCO, the historical hydraulic system at Shushtar with its interconnected set of bridges, weirs and dams, mills, water cascades, canals, and tunnel is indeed a marvel. The origins of the ancient, fortified city of Shushtar, which sits at the foot of the Zagros Mountains, and its impressive water treatment systems can be traced back to the 5th century BC.

But what remains today was mostly built during the Sassanid period who used Shushtar as their summer capital. They built upon and expanded the original techniques that were used to channel the water provided by the River Karun between different parts of Shushtar and nearby cities. According to UNESCO, the ancient builders were most likely influenced by the Petra dam and tunnel and Roman engineering.

The beguiling and remote desert city of Yazd in the centre of the country was a highlight on most tourists' Iran itineraries. One of the oldest cities in the world and the cultural heart of the Zoroastrian religion, it is home to numerous historic buildings. It’s where you’ll find the Zoroastrian's most holy site, the Ateshkadeh or Fire Temple, where the central fire is said to have been burning since the 5th century as well as the fascinating Towers of Silence, once an open burial ground, on the city's outskirts. 

The atmospheric old centre, a UNESCO World Heritage site, is characterised by its traditional architecture such as badgirs (or wind-catcher towers) and underground areas to help the population cope with the intense desert heat. Other highlights are Amir Chakhmaq Square, built in the ninth century, and the Jameh Mosque of Yazd which boasts the highest minarets in Iran (pictured). 

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Often said to be Iran’s Taj Mahal, the magnificent Mausoleum of Oljaytu pre-dates India’s landmark and is an exquisite example of Persian architecture. The octagonal monument was constructed over ten years from 1302 in the city of Soltaniyeh, the capital of the Ilkhanid dynasty, which was founded by the Mongols. Its striking turquoise dome is reputed to be the largest brick dome in the world. The monument is one of Iran's UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

Rudkhan Castle to the north is one of Iran’s most imposing fortresses. The brick and stone medieval castle with its high watchtowers, walls and arches is surrounded by the thick forest of Gilana, a province that runs along the Caspian Sea. It’s little wonder it’s still standing. Most of the sturdy structure dates from the Seljuk era (1037–1194) who made additions to a citadel that was first established on the site in the Sassanid period (AD 224-651). Getting there involves a hike through the forest and clamber up hundreds of stairs. 

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Founded by Cyrus the Great in the 6th century BC, Pasargadae is one of the oldest residences of the Achaemenid kings. Among its wonders are the citadel, the site's oldest remains which are known as Tall-i Takht or ‘throne hill’ and overlook the palace complex. It’s also home to the tomb of Cyrus the Great, an imposing limestone structure (pictured).

While it’s not quite as awe-inspiring as Darius I’s palaces in Persepolis, the isolated ruins are certainly atmospheric with their setting on a parched mountain-backed plain. The remains of Cyrus’s Palace reveal key insights into the Achaemenian city and its inhabitants' way of life. The Audience Hall (pictured) is the largest and most spacious building at Pasargadae and was used for meetings and formal occasions.

A jumble of red mud-brick houses with distinctive lattice windows and twisting laneways tumbling down Mount Karkas, Abyaneh is thought to be over 2,500 years old and one of the oldest standing villages in Iran. Still very much occupied, the isolated villagers have retained their distinct customs and language. They speak Farsi with a unique dialect and still use some words that date from the Parthian era or Arsacid Empire (247 BC to AD 224).

As one-time Persian capital in the 11th and 17th centuries, Isahan is a treasure trove of historical and cultural riches. One of its most beautiful UNESCO World Heritage sites is the Jameh Mosque or the Masjed-e Jāmé in Imam square. The structure is venerated as a prototype of Islamic design with its exquisite domes, great courtyard and elaborate iwans (vaulted halls). It is also Iran’s oldest Friday (congregational) mosque. It was built by the Seljuks in the 11th century, but has been added to and updated over the ages.

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With multi-layered houses, workshops, stores and higgledy streets carved deep in the volcanic rock, this ancient cave village in Iran's north-western Azerbaijan province is often compared to Cappadocia in Turkey. Inhabited for over 700 years, several hundred people live and work in this remarkable community that sits at the flank of Sultan Daghi mountain peak. The settlement is said to have been established by people fleeing Ghengis Khan and the invading Mongols. 

This commanding adobe castle is second only to Arg-e Bam in scale and makes for a mighty sight. The hill-top citadel of Rayen dates back to the Sassanid Dynasty and was built along a key trade route for the kingdom. The castle dwellers were famed for their craftsmanship of exquisite textiles. The highly walled and square-shaped castle was inhabited up until 150 years ago and its layout tells historians a lot about societal order. 

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Two-storey brick towers and 15 watchtowers helped protect the inhabitants against attacks. Behind its imposing fortifications, three main areas were separated by more walls, towers and stairs: the ‘khan-neshin' (where the khans or rulers lived), the 'a’yan-neshin' (where the wealthy lived), and 'aameh-neshin' (where ordinary people dwelled). You can also see the remains of stables, a Zoorkhaneh (a traditional Persian gymnasium), and mosques.

This imposing Sassanid structure, which is also known as Immortal or Revolutionary Castle, perches high on a craggy mountain above the Arasbaran Forest near Kaleybar in northwest Iran. It is thought to have been a stronghold of Babak Khorramdin, the leader of the Khurramites in Azerbaijan, as he defended the country against Arab invaders. He led from AD 816–837 and is still hailed as a revolutionary hero in parts of Iran and Azerbaijan.

If you do get to visit this impressive citadel one day, be sure to pack your hiking shoes as it’s a two-to-three-hour trek up and down mountains and along crumbling stairs to reach the site. The prospect of the soaring views over the protected Arasbaran area from the castle's lofty position give us hope that one day this incredible country will be once again welcome visitors. 

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