gardnstate's User Profile - Atlas Obscura
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Hormuz, Iran

Hormuz Island

The colorful soil of Iran’s "Rainbow Island" attracts artists and nature lovers.
Fars Province, Iran

Naqsh-e Rustam

The ancient necropolis houses the immense rock-cut tombs of four Persian kings.
Qeshm, Iran

Namakdan Salt Cave

One of the world's largest salt caves is filled with fragile salt sculptures, salt rivers, and huge salt megadomes.
Kish, Iran

Kariz-e-Kish

Hydraulic systems in an ancient underground Iranian city.
Shooshtar, Iran

Shushtar Historical Hydraulic System

This beautiful system of tunnels built into natural rock serves as a centuries old plumbing system.
Yazd, Iran

Zoroastrian Towers of Silence

Putrefaction plateaus in Iran, where the dead were sent for decontamination before going to their final resting place.
Roudbar Alamout, Iran

Alamut Castle

This ruined fortress was the stronghold for a persecuted medieval leader and his infamous Assassins.
Shiraz, Iran

Shah Cheragh

Mirrors and glass shards cover every inch of this arrestingly beautiful mosque.
Fars Province, Iran

The Ruins of Persepolis

The palace of the King of Kings, burned by Alexander the Great.
Shiraz, Iran

Nasir al-Mulk Mosque

A spectacular rainbow of stained glass makes the "Pink Mosque" one of the most beautiful in Iran.
Orost, Iran

Badab-e Surt

Iran's colorful terraces are a rare geological masterpiece.
Alqosh, Iraq

Rabban Hormizd Monastery

An ancient sanctuary that has long been a holy site for the Chaldean Christian Church.
Al-Chibayish, Iraq

Mudhif Houses

Giant reed houses made in the marshes of Southern Iraq.
Hillah, Iraq

Babylon

Celebrated as a center of civilization, the remains of the ancient city have been nearly destroyed by greed, egoism, and war.
Golan

Nimrod Fortress

Named for the biblical warrior, the largest castle in Israel actually dates to the Middle Ages.
Umm ar-Rasas, Jordan

Um er-Rasas

The remains of three different ancient civilizations have been found at this rich archaeological site.
Amman, Jordan

Iraq al-Amir

Just outside of Jordan's capital lies an ancient castle and intriguing caves dating back to the Copper Age.
Mkawer, Jordan

Ma'in Hot Springs

This cascade of mineral-rich hot springs and waterfalls is an oasis in the Jordanian desert.
Amman, Jordan

Roman Theater of Amman

This exceptionally well-preserved ancient marvel also houses a small museum dedicated to Jordanian folk tradition.
Areedh Sub-District, Jordan

River Canyons of Jordan

Concentrated around the Dead Sea, these surprising canyons are filled with coursing water, fish, and even crabs.
Wadi Rum Village, Jordan

Wadi Rum

Known as the "Valley of the Moon," this Jordanian wadi is one of the most amazing desertscapes on Earth.
Amman, Jordan

Hand of Hercules

The most gigantic, swoony, intimidating trio of fingers in all of antiquity.
Jerash, Jordan

The Ruins of Jerash

Gladiators battle and chariots race daily in the ruins of a once-great Roman city.
Petra District, Jordan

Little Petra

A more chill but no less fascinating version of the famous ancient archeological site.