This 12,000 year old Iranian cave village has been continuously inhabited for over 3,000 years.

Long before air conditioning, Persian architects found an ingenious way to cool off.

This ancient fortress in Iran was once the oldest and largest treasury in the world.

The tower in this 1,000-year-old mud-brick village seems to vibrate for no apparent reason.

Named after a legendary garden called Eram in southern Arabia, built by order of Shaddad, an Arab king who wanted to compete with Paradise.

Burial site of a Jewish prophet revered in Iran.

Salt cured mummies continue to turn up in this Iranian mine.

The colorful soil of Iran’s "Rainbow Island" attracts artists and nature lovers.

This ancient burial site is believed to be one of the first earthquake-protected structures in the world.

A dreamy mausoleum honors Persia's most famous poet.

The hottest, driest, and most scenic desert on Earth.

A historic trade hub teeming with gorgeous architecture, colorful goods, and vibrant designs.

The fire inside this temple has burned for more than 1,500 years.

Hundreds of stones dangle from barren trees in the middle of the desert.

In this tiny Iranian town playing on the roof isn't just encouraged, it's the only place to go.

One of the largest and oldest caravansaries in Persia.

17th century mosque for Shah Abbas' harem.

These little castles each held thousands of pigeons.

One of the world's largest salt caves is filled with fragile salt sculptures, salt rivers, and huge salt megadomes.

The ancient necropolis houses the immense rock-cut tombs of four Persian kings.

This vast, water-filled underground labyrinth can only be toured by boat.

Modern-day cave dwellers carve elaborate homes out of volcanic debris.

A sophisticated astronomical tower built by one of the greatest Persian scholars of the Islamic Golden Age.

Hydraulic systems in an ancient underground Iranian city.