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Sasanian architecture

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An ancient Persian arch known as Taq Kasra in Madain, Iraq.

Sasanian Architecture

Sasanian architecture is the beautiful way of building from the old Persian Empire. It started around 224 CE and lasted until 651 CE. People made wonderful palaces and big buildings. Many ideas from this time were used later in Islamic architecture.

The Sasanian kings ruled from places like Firouzabad, Bishapur, and Ctesiphon in modern Iraq. Their buildings mixed old Persian styles with new ideas. One famous building is Taq Kasra, a big part of a palace in Ctesiphon.

Sasanian buildings often had tall arches and rooms with domes. They used a clever trick called a squinch to put a round dome on a square room. This idea helped shape buildings for many years after.

The designs from this time influenced many places. Buildings far away, like in Afghanistan, show Sasanian style. Even cities like Baghdad used ideas from old Persian towns. The Sasanian way of building made a lasting mark on the world.

Taq Kasra, a remnant of the former Sasanian palace in Ctesiphon

The Palace of Ardashir, constructed in AD 224 during the Sasanian era. The building has three large domes, among the oldest examples of such large-scale domes in the world.

Falak-ol-Aflak in Khorramabad

Rayen Castle

Interior of the Qal'eh Dokhtar. The use of squinches to position the dome on top of a square structure is considered the most significant Sasanian contribution to the Islamic architecture.

The Round City of Baghdad built in the Abbasid period was based on Partho-Sasanian circular city design.

Images

An ancient water system in Shushtar, Iran, showcasing impressive engineering from history.
The Shams al-Rasul Mausoleum, also called a 'fire temple,' is a beautiful historical building surrounded by trees in Amol, Iran.
An ancient Persian arch structure called Taq Kasra in Madain, Iraq.
Historic Izadkhast Castle in Fars Province, Iran, showcasing unique architecture from different eras.
An ancient Roman-built dam bridge in Shushtar, Iran, showcasing impressive engineering from the 3rd century AD.
The Bahram fire temple in Rey, Iran, a historic site dating back to the Sassanid Empire.
The Niasar Fire Temple in Kashan, Isfahan Province, Iran – a historic architectural site.
The Ateshgah Fire Temple in Baku, a historic site known for its unique architecture and cultural significance.

Related articles

Ctesiphon
Iraq
Afghanistan
Baghdad

This article is a child-friendly adaptation of the Wikipedia article on Sasanian architecture, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.

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