While today we see bare stone, Persepolis was once painted in vivid reds, blues, yellows, and blacks. Modern scientific scans have uncovered pigment traces on pillars and reliefs. Engineers carved massive underground channels to protect foundations from rain—showing incredible foresight for the era. Timber used in the roofs was imported from Lebanon and the Zagros Mountains.
The ruins appear in literature, paintings, calligraphy, and modern design. Many young Iranians visit Persepolis as part of school trips or Nowruz journeys to reconnect with their history. The mountains rise behind the terrace like natural guardians. As you climb the monumental staircase, you feel the slow transition from the world of the ordinary into the world of kings. You pass the Gate of All Nations, where winged bulls stand silently. Their expressions are stern but protective, welcoming travelers just as they did 2,500 years ago.
