10 Ancient Middle Eastern Wonders Beyond Petra

2. Persepolis, Iran

Persepolis is a symbol of Persian heritage, founded by Darius I as the ceremonial heart of the Achaemenid Empire nearly 2,500 years ago. Its grandeur still stuns: monumental staircases, ornately carved reliefs, and columns rising above the desert floor. The site’s detailed stonework—the processions of dignitaries immortalized on the Apadana staircases—offers a vivid glimpse into ancient court life. Persepolis reached its peak before being famously conquered and partially burned by Alexander the Great in 330 BCE, marking the end of an imperial era.