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Ali Majdfar | profile | all galleries >> PERSIA, the Ancient Iran >> Dash Kasan Temple (Dragon Temple) tree view | thumbnails | slideshow

PASSARGAD | PERSEPOLIS | NAQSH-e RUSTAM | SHUSHTAR, Ancient Hydro Engineering Exhibition | SUSA ( SHUSH ) | Temple of Khorheh | Taq ( Tagh ) -e- Bostan | DEZFUL | Ganjnameh | CHOQA ZANBIL | Anahita Temple | Ardashir Palace | Takht -e- Soleyman ( The Throne of Solomon ) | Atashkooh Fire Temple | Ancient City of Goor | Ghaleh Dokhtar ( Firooz Abad ) | Niasar Chahar Taghi (Four Arches) | Hegmataneh ( Ecbatana ) | Bistun (Behistun) | Ancient City of Bishapur ( Bishabur ) | Niasar Cave ( Mitra Temple ) | Persian Woman in the Course of History | Ancient Rock Art ( Petroglyphs ) | Bazeh Khur ( Bazeh Hur) Fire Temple | Tang -e- Chogan ( Polo Valley ) | Ancient Sialk Hills | Dash Kasan Temple (Dragon Temple) | TAKHT -E- ROSTAM FIRE TEMPLE | Ancient City of Seymareh (Madakto) | Deyr Gachin Caravansary | Rashkan Fort | Ancient Gavmishan Bridge | Posht Ghale Fortress | Tappeh Mill Fire Temple

Dash Kasan Temple (Dragon Temple)

“Dash Kasan” is a Turkish name which means “Stone Carved”. Dash Kasan Temple (Caves) is a semi rectangle (400m in length and 50 to 300m in width) aggregate, located 10 km south east of Soltanieh, Zanjan Province.
There are three hand dug caves with beautiful cravings on walls in Dash Kasan. Two opposite dragon sculptures in length of 3.5m are the most famous carvings, carved by Chinese artists who brought to the site by the Mongol Emperor Oljaito. Alongside dragons, there are other engravings (in the Islamic style) such as flowers and paisley, in an arched fashion.
According to the theory held regarding these caves, they were utilized during two separate periods in history; Primarily, the caves were a place of worship for Mithras (God of Sun) in Sassanid period (224-651 AD). Secondly, during the Ilkhanian dynasty which is depicted by the carving such as dragons and grape wine leaves, could be used as royal cemetery.
36° 19' 51.69" N 48° 51' 53.88" E
Dash Kasan Temple (Caves)
Dash Kasan Temple (Caves)		 Dash Kasan Temple (Caves)
Dash Kasan Temple (Caves)		 Dash Kasan Temple (Caves)
Dash Kasan Temple (Caves)
Dash Kasan Temple (Caves)
Dash Kasan Temple (Caves)		 Dash Kasan Temple (Caves)
Dash Kasan Temple (Caves)		 Dash Kasan Temple (Caves)
Dash Kasan Temple (Caves)
Dash Kasan Temple (Caves)
Dash Kasan Temple (Caves)		 Dash Kasan Temple (Caves)
Dash Kasan Temple (Caves)		 Dash Kasan Temple (Caves)
Dash Kasan Temple (Caves)
Dash Kasan Temple (Caves)
Dash Kasan Temple (Caves)		 Dash Kasan Temple (Caves)
Dash Kasan Temple (Caves)		 Dash Kasan Temple (Caves)
Dash Kasan Temple (Caves)
Dash Kasan Temple (Caves)
Dash Kasan Temple (Caves)		 Dash Kasan Temple (Caves)
Dash Kasan Temple (Caves)		 Dash Kasan Temple (Caves)
Dash Kasan Temple (Caves)
Dash Kasan Temple (Caves)
Dash Kasan Temple (Caves)		 Dash Kasan Temple (Caves)
Dash Kasan Temple (Caves)		 Dash Kasan Temple (Caves)
Dash Kasan Temple (Caves)
Dash Kasan Temple (Caves)
Dash Kasan Temple (Caves)		 Dash Kasan Temple (Caves)
Dash Kasan Temple (Caves)		 Dash Kasan Temple (Caves)
Dash Kasan Temple (Caves)
Dash Kasan Temple (Caves)
Dash Kasan Temple (Caves)		 Dash Kasan Temple (Caves)
Dash Kasan Temple (Caves)		 Dash Kasan Temple (Caves)
Dash Kasan Temple (Caves)
Dash Kasan Temple (Caves)
Dash Kasan Temple (Caves)		 Dash Kasan Temple (Caves)
Dash Kasan Temple (Caves)		 Dash Kasan Temple (Caves)
Dash Kasan Temple (Caves)
Dash Kasan Temple (Caves)
Dash Kasan Temple (Caves)		 Dash Kasan Temple (Caves)
Dash Kasan Temple (Caves)		 Dash Kasan Temple (Caves)
Dash Kasan Temple (Caves)

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longbachnguyen PM reply 11-Apr-2011 01:08
excellent documentary and explanation of this historical place
Jim Hackley PM reply 01-Apr-2011 14:41
Very interesting to view and read about this temple site, well done.
Marc Demoulin PM reply 27-Mar-2011 19:54
Great document and reportage Ali! vVv
Marc
Alain Boussac PM reply 21-Mar-2011 06:38
Superb and very interesting. Thanks for sharing these beautiful images and for your explanations, Ali. V.
Michel Duval PM reply 19-Mar-2011 15:48
Mister profesor, congratulations for your visit. It's very interesting. V
Alex Vargas PM reply 18-Mar-2011 07:00
What a fantastic/mythical site!... Great document and images!
VOTED
slhoornstra PM reply 16-Mar-2011 01:10
Your documentation of the historical sites of Iran is wonderful, and your shots are are so excellent. V
Gary Hudes PM reply 15-Mar-2011 01:31
Excellent series! V
Hans Koot PM reply 14-Mar-2011 08:47
Once again you manage to surprise us with a beautiful gallery about your magnificent archeological sites
marie-jose wolff PM reply 13-Mar-2011 10:25
Beautiful and interesting gallery about this fantastic temple! V
Paul James PM reply 11-Mar-2011 00:14
I love your Blue Sky Days!
Bantayan Island Philippines
Jean-Luc Rollier PM reply 11-Mar-2011 00:06
Very interesting and beautiful work Ali! As always...
JL Vote
Giancarlo Bisone PM reply 10-Mar-2011 20:53
Hi Ali:
This is a great gallery. Great job my friend! BV
Ciao, Giancarlo
zyziza PM reply 10-Mar-2011 14:18
Great old art. Very interesting gallery!
v
Steve Morris PM reply 10-Mar-2011 12:58
Great photos as usual and loved reading the info!!BV
Michel Duval PM reply 10-Mar-2011 11:24
As usually, un excellent serie of captures. V
Meagan Christie PM reply 10-Mar-2011 03:59
You continue to intrigue me with glimpses into your country. You continue to share antiquities with us, that I was unaware of. Interesting gallery, well captured ~V~
Flora PM reply 08-Mar-2011 23:45
Superb gallery, Ali...wonderful images of these ancient treasures. V
Rob Oele PM reply 08-Mar-2011 18:00
Wonderful work Ali, V
Paes PM reply 08-Mar-2011 13:28
Majdfar, your country is amazing!
Ton, Ben & Rob Nagtegaal PM reply 08-Mar-2011 09:09
Excellent gallery, great work!!
Ton
Rahman Ebrahimi 08-Mar-2011 05:24
Very beautiful and lovely photos...
Hodero PM reply 08-Mar-2011 00:39
More civilization in those days ;-)
=V=
zonedout PM reply 07-Mar-2011 22:02
Thanks for the tour, Ali! Nicely done.V
Greet Moors PM reply 07-Mar-2011 18:50
Superb gallery Ali, well done ~V~
cambraniz PM reply 07-Mar-2011 17:11
Very beautiful gallery Ali, thnak you for sharing. V
Fabienne PM reply 07-Mar-2011 17:06
C'est une excellente galerie avec de trčs jolies photos.
Marcia Colelli PM reply 07-Mar-2011 01:41
Wonderful gallery, nice work V
Jola Dziubinska PM reply 06-Mar-2011 22:01
Wonderful gallery, Ali. V.
veraferia PM reply 06-Mar-2011 14:17
Interesting pice of art. Thank you for sharing historical details of your country.
jan madsen PM reply 06-Mar-2011 13:28
Briliant work Ali
vote
Colin Storey PM reply 06-Mar-2011 13:13
Stunning gallery of these caves. v
Zoltán Balogh PM reply 06-Mar-2011 09:23
A very interesting gallery Ali, thanks for sharing! V
Raymond Ma PM reply 06-Mar-2011 08:35
Another wonderful piece of history that you have shared with us.
Terrific documentary set Ali! V
Paco López PM reply 06-Mar-2011 07:00
A new excellent collection!! V!
John Hamers PM reply 05-Mar-2011 18:36
Very fascinating and interesting gallery, well captured !!
Dara Su PM reply 05-Mar-2011 04:03
Great work.V.
Ted Aanensen PM reply 04-Mar-2011 20:19
Thank you Ali
I know so little of this area of the world, your images and text are a wonderful guide BV
Jean D PM reply 04-Mar-2011 02:56
Superb gallery, Ali! ~V
RichardR PM reply 03-Mar-2011 23:27
Another fine series of the historical sites in your country, Ali. I'm glad you get to visit so many of these and share photographs and history with us.
Best regards,
Dick:)
Bracciodiferro PM reply 03-Mar-2011 16:48
Good start Ali! V+
Paolo
princess PM reply 03-Mar-2011 01:03
Incredible gallery. Excellent work. BV
an nguyen PM reply 02-Mar-2011 03:13
Great work and thanks for the info about these sites .
Algis Kemezys PM reply 28-Feb-2011 17:20
Wow very nice....you certainly get around .
Kay PM reply 28-Feb-2011 07:11
Great work. Thanks for sharing this piece of history.
eye2see PM reply 28-Feb-2011 06:33
Magnificent work! Thanks for sharing the background and the history behind these beautiful images! Bravo ~V
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