Chogha Zanbil, a 3,300 years old site in Iran!

Chogha Zanbil (Persian: ????????) is an ancient Elamite complex in the Khuzestan province of Iran. Elam was an ancient Pre-Iranian civilization centered in the far West and Southwest of what is now called IRAN. It was built around 1250 BC by the king Untash-Napirisha to honor the great god Inshushinak, regarded to protect Susa.

The structure of this site goes back to 3,300 years ago and it consists of three walls surrounding the Ziggurat (dedicated the the main god). The middle area consists of eleven temples dedicated to the lesser gods. The construction in the city ended with the death of King Untash- Napirisha but continued to be used till it was destroyed in 640 BC by Ashurbanipal, the Assyrian king.

Chogha Zanbil is a magnificent and breathtaking world heritage site that was accidentally discovered about 80 years ago, during an oil searching project. It is interesting that locals used to call it a "sand hill", unaware of such amazing beauty being buried under meters and meters of sand.

Amazing facts about Chogha Zanbil:

#1 Chogha Zanbil is the oldest existing Ziggurat or step temple in the Near East.

#2 Chogha Zanbil is a stepped temple in the shape of a pyramid with five stories and many places around it that was discovered in 1935 after being buried for thousands of years.

# Chogha Zanbil is now listed in the UNESCO World Heritage, owing to the well preserved status of the ziggurat.

If you would like to make a visit to Iran, add this site in your list and you will be amazed. Don't forget to visit Shushtar and Susa which are only kilometers away and have similar history and greatness.