Iran in Pictures: 45 Free Photos of Isfahan, Persepolis and Tehran
Iran in 45 free photos: the tiled mosques and painted palaces of Isfahan, the ruins of the Persian kings at Persepolis, and treasures of the National Museum in Tehran.
How to download: click a photo to see it large, then use Download. The originals are about 1200 × 800 pixels: right for blog posts, slides, social media, school projects and video call backgrounds.
Isfahan
Shah Abbas I made Isfahan his capital around 1600 and built Naqsh-e Jahan Square, one of the largest squares in the world, now on the UNESCO list. On its sides stand the Shah Mosque with its blue-tiled domes and vaults, the Sheikh Lotfollah Mosque, the Ali Qapu Palace and the entrance to the bazaar. Nearby, the Chehel Sotoun pavilion is painted with royal banquets and battles, the arches of the Si-o-se-pol bridge cross the river, and in the Armenian quarter the walls of Vank Cathedral are covered in frescoes.
Persepolis and Shiraz
Darius I began Persepolis in 518 BC as the ceremonial capital of the Persian Empire. On its great stone terrace, the Gate of All Nations is guarded by winged bulls, and reliefs of lions, bulls and tribute bearers cover the stairways; Alexander the Great burned it in 330 BC. Shiraz, an hour away, is the city of the poets Hafez and Saadi.
Tehran
The capital spreads below the Alborz mountains, marked by the Milad Tower. The National Museum of Iran holds finds from every age of Persian history, from prehistoric pottery to Achaemenid reliefs and one of the Salt Men, miners preserved in a salt mine.
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Questions about these photos
Can I use these Iran pictures for free?
Yes, for personal and commercial projects. All we ask is a link back to BigFoto.com; the box at the top of the page has a credit link you can copy.
Where is Persepolis?
About 60 km north-east of Shiraz in the province of Fars; most visitors go on a half-day trip from Shiraz, often combined with the royal tombs at Naqsh-e Rostam.
