Tehran, 21 June 2006 (CHN Foreign Desk) -- One of the most ancient duplex monuments of the world which was used to be called “Haroun (Aaron) Prison” will turn into a tourism site after its restoration is completed.



This historical monument, located in the ancient city of Ray, southern Tehran in a beautiful valley, was a summer palace which was used during the hunting seasons by the kings. Archeological studies show that this building was constructed in two floors and must have belonged to 1100 years ago. It is considered one of the first duplex monuments in the world.

“Since this monument is mentioned in historical texts as an important place which was located in the hunting ground of the Persian rulers and surrounded by beautiful natural sites such as hills and gardens, and considering its unique architectural style at that time, built in two floors covered with stone and a vaulted ceiling, Iran’s Cultural Heritage and Tourism Organization (ICHTO) is determined to restore it and change this place into one of the main tourism attraction sites of this area,” said Mehdi Memarzadeh, restoration technical advisor of ICHTO.

According to Memarzadeh, although this monument has been introduced as the Haroun Prison in historical texts, archeological excavations in this historical site revealed that it could not have been used as a jail. The special architectural style used in the construction of this monument such as brick designs in the upper floor all indicate that this place was used as an entertaining settlement by the rulers of that time.

Prior to this, it was believed that this monument was a prison since it was far from the main seat of the government and had no other opening except for the window and the door on the northern side.

“It is possible that this building was once used as a prison; however, archeological evidence show that it was initially used as the summer residence of kings and rulers who went there at the hunting time,” added Memarzadeh.

Regarding the architectural style of this monument, Memarzadeh explained that the building had brick vaulted ceiling, the remains of which can still be seen and its windows resemble the architectural style of the Sassanid era. The building was constructed by simple rubbles taken from the mountains which were glued together with mortar. It had four rooms in the first floor and four rooms upstairs, connected through four porches.

There is an aqueduct near this monument which is dated back to the time the building was constructed. A tower is also located at the end of this valley which most probably had a relation with this palace.

Memarzadeh strongly believes that this valuable monument is worth receiving more attention in order to clarify all the details about this historical site. Considering its historical and natural characteristics, ICHTO is planning to change the site in which this duplex building is located into one of the tourism destinations of Tehran province which would attract a large number of tourists to this area.

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