As part of plans to provide better protection for Pasargadae structures in Fars Province, key gates leading to the royal palaces will be roofed, Pasargadae heritage site’s manager said.
Hamid Fadaei added that the construction of roofs over the palace’s two important gates is aimed at better maintaining the carvings of the world heritage site.
The project is conducted in collaboration with an Italian team, CHTN reported.
Stainless steel panels made in Italy will be used to cover the gateways, Fadaei explained, adding that the ultimate target is to roof the entire palace complex.
He explained that solar panels are to be installed over the roofs to supply energy for lighting.
The scheme for protection and renovation of the site was signed in the form of a three-year memorandum of understanding with Italian experts and archeologists.
Joint efforts started in spring 2015 (the first phase) and progressed through fall 2015 (the second phase), which resulted in the successful restoration of Cyrus’s Tomb, one-third of the sandstones of which form the foundation of the citadel’s Great Hall and nine out of the citadel’s 30 columns, which had been severely eroded.
The MoU will expire by the end of 2017, but Fadaei hoped that Iran will extend the agreement to continue joint activities for renovation of Pasargadae.
Pasargadae was the capital of Achaemenid Empire under Cyrus the Great who had ordered its construction (559–530 BC).
Today, it is a collection of ancient structures, including palaces, tombs and royal gardens, that are outstanding examples of royal Achaemenid art and architecture and exceptional testimonies of Persian civilization.
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