Unexpectedly rising on the babbling Pulvar River in the rugged folds of Kuh-e Rahmet Mountain north of Shiraz, the one-time capital of the great Achaemenid Empire is a real wonder to behold. It is said to date all the way back to 515 BC when mighty Cyrus the Great marked the spot out as the heart of his Persian dominium. The ruins that can be made out today are by no means meagre. They represent colossal feats of ancient architecture, spreading out over terraced ridges and occasionally marked by the remnants of a withered, weathered column. Highlights include the striking needle spires of the Gate of All Nations and the Great Double Staircase, covered in intricate bas-reliefs and carvings. But none can top the almighty Apadana, built by the King of Kings, Xerxes, to be the greatest regal palace in the world. Persepolis tour guides will spin tales of ancient battles and invasions as you move between the tombs of old Persian kings. They can help you understand the tendrils of history and culture that emanated from this glorious city in times gone by, and lead you through the ruined monuments, the carved animal statues, and striking Tachara palace halls with facts and information all at hand.