Dashkasan Temple

Iran


Near the village of Vier (Viyar) lies this curious collection of 'stone quarry' inscriptions, the most renowned being those of two 3.5m facing dragons. Scholars debate the inscriptions' origins: some suggest that the temple belonged to Sassanid Mitha followers, others that the Ilkhanid Mongol ruler Oljeitu had the dragons carved by Chinese artisans. You'll need a taxi from Soltaniyeh (IR200,000 return) to see them.


Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

Nearby Iran attractions

1. Mullah Hasan Kashi Tomb

7.19 MILES

Set amid semi-desert 1.5km due south of Oljeitu Mausoleum, this bright-turquoise-topped, lonely tomb was built by Safavid Shah Tahmasp to honour Hasan…

2. Oljeitu Mausoleum

8.11 MILES

Dominating the skyline, Iran's magnificent 'Taj Mahal' rises dramatically 48m above the surrounding dusty archaeological digs and crumbling city walls…

3. Chalapi Oghli Mausoleum

8.16 MILES

This unadorned Ilkhanid Mongol–period brick shrine to Sufi mystic Sheikh Boraq is surrounded by the courtyard of a khanqah (dervish monastery).