Ka'ba-ye Zartosht
Tower Ancient stone tower at Naqsh-e Rustam, enigmatic inscriptions
Ka’ba-ye Zartosht at Naqsh-e Rustam in Fars Province is a stone, cube-shaped Achaemenid-era structure adjacent to royal rock reliefs and inscriptions; visitors see ancient reliefs, Sassanian carvings, and Persepolis-area archaeology.
Ka’ba-ye Zartosht, commonly called the Cube of Zoroaster, is a freestanding cuboid stone tower near the royal rock-reliefs and tombs at Naqsh-e Rustam in Fars province, Iran. It is notable for its simple cubic form executed in dressed stone and for an internal chamber reached by a staircase.
The tower’s construction and use span several periods; it is conventionally associated with the Achaemenid or early post-Achaemenid era as a built stone structure, while inscriptions and reuse during the Sassanian period are also present. The monument stands about 12 metres tall with a square plan of roughly 7 metres per side and contains a small interior chamber reached by an internal stair.
The Cube sits at the Naqsh-e Rustam necropolis near the archaeological remains of Persepolis and is part of the wider ensemble of royal rock-reliefs and tomb façades in the Marvdasht area.
- Nearby inscriptions and reliefs: The structure bears later Sassanian-period inscriptions and sits immediately above the rock-cut royal tombs and reliefs at Naqsh-e Rustam, making it easy to combine with a visit to those monuments.
How to Get to Ka'ba-ye Zartosht #
The Ka’ba-ye Zartosht (the Cube of Zoroaster) stands at the Naqsh-e Rustam archaeological site near the Persepolis/Marvdasht area in Fars province. The usual approach is by road from Shiraz (the nearest major city) toward Marvdasht/Persepolis; there is parking at the Naqsh-e Rustam site and the monument is a short walk from the parking and visitor area.
Visitors typically combine this stop with Persepolis; local tour operators and taxis from Shiraz or Marvdasht run day trips to the archaeological complex.
Tips for Visiting Ka'ba-ye Zartosht #
- Visit Ka'ba-ye Zartosht at Naqsh-e Rustam early morning or late afternoon for cooler light and better photos of the rock-cut royal tombs nearby; the monument is an outdoor site with no interior visits.
- Approach from the main Naqsh-e Rustam parking area and allow time to study the adjacent Achaemenid and Sasanian reliefs and inscriptions-hiring a local guide or bringing an up-to-date guidebook will make the iconography and inscriptions far more meaningful.
Best Time to Visit Ka'ba-ye Zartosht #
Aim for spring or autumn (March-May or September-November) for the most comfortable weather when visiting the Ka'ba-ye Zartosht area.
Weather & Climate near Ka'ba-ye Zartosht #
Ka'ba-ye Zartosht's climate is classified as Cold Semi-Arid - Cold Semi-Arid climate with hot summers (peaking in July) and cold winters (coldest in January). Temperatures range from -1°C to 37°C. Very dry conditions with minimal rainfall with a pronounced dry season.
January
January is the coolest month with highs of 11°C and lows of -1°C. The wettest month with 42 mm of rain.
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February
February is cold with highs of 14°C and lows of 0°C. Moderate rainfall (30 mm).
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March
March is cold with highs of 16°C and lows of 3°C. Moderate rainfall (36 mm).
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April
April is cool with highs of 21°C and lows of 7°C. Light rainfall.
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May
May is mild with highs of 27°C and lows of 12°C. Almost no rain and mostly sunny skies.
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June
June is warm with highs of 34°C and lows of 16°C. Almost no rain and clear sunny skies.
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July
July is the hottest month with highs of 37°C and lows of 20°C. Almost no rain and clear sunny skies.
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August
August is hot with highs of 36°C and lows of 20°C. Almost no rain and clear sunny skies.
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September
September is warm with highs of 33°C and lows of 15°C. The driest month with just 0 mm and clear sunny skies.
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October
October is mild with highs of 28°C and lows of 10°C. Almost no rain and clear sunny skies.
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November
November is cool with highs of 21°C and lows of 6°C. Light rainfall and mostly sunny skies.
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December
December is cold with highs of 16°C and lows of 2°C. Moderate rainfall (38 mm).
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