Architecture and history of Kushk-e Ardeshir in Bushehr
Kushk-e Ardeshir, also known as the Palace of Ardeshir, is situated in the Poshtpar hills, near a village of the same name, and enjoys pleasant weather. It is part of the Eram region in Dashtestan, about 150 kilometers east of Bushehr and southeast of Kazerun.
This ancient monument dates back to the reign of King Ardeshir I, the founder of the Sassanid dynasty, and it shares many architectural similarities with the Ardeshir Palace in Firuzabad, which was also constructed by him. Kushk-e Ardeshir is listed as part of Iran’s national heritage.
During the Achaemenid and Sassanid periods, Dashtestan was part of Fars Province, which is home to numerous historic monuments from these eras. Notably, Gur Dokhtar, a sixth-century tomb, and Tang-e Eram are considered some of the most significant sites. New archaeological discoveries continuously emerge in the area, including the 2016 discovery of two urns during renovations for a bridge in the Poshtpar region.
The structure of Kushk-e Ardeshir is built from stone and sarooj, a type of water-resistant mortar. Its design follows a cross plan (chalipa) and features barrel vaults. Currently, two ivans remain on the north and southeast sides, with rooms covered by arching roofs adjacent to them.
Atop the structure, there remains a stone column believed to have been used for fire signaling, communication, or as a lookout point. Additionally, a vaulted pathway, stretching six meters from southeast to northwest, can be found. Tragically, in 2011, parts of this Sassanid building were damaged due to high humidity and moisture, coupled with a lack of maintenance for this national monument.