Hundreds of stones dangle from barren trees in the middle of the desert.

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

The hottest, driest, and most scenic desert on Earth.

These little castles each held thousands of pigeons.

This vast, water-filled underground labyrinth can only be toured by boat.

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

The vertical-axis windmills of ancient Persia have been grinding flour for 1,000 years and counting.

A sophisticated astronomical tower built by one of the greatest Persian scholars of the Islamic Golden Age.

A 1,500-year-old, 3-story subterranean city where ancient Persians took refuge in times of war.

Iran's colorful terraces are a rare geological masterpiece.

Ancient structures used to make and preserve ice in the deserts of Persia.

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

The history of Mar Behnam Monastery is that of violence, intolerance, resiliency, and spirituality.

A surreal monument depicting a five-armed giant supporting a toppling cylinder seal.

The legendary fortress of a female Kurdish warrior leader.

Qshla Koya is an Ottoman fortress located on a hillock in the central quarter of Koya.

This former monument to an invented Iraqi victory was turned into a military camp during the subsequent invasion.

A 2200 year old vessel may have been able to keep a charge.

A bloody history is captured in this former prison turned museum.

This ancient stone bridge is a hub for daredevils.

An ancient sanctuary that has long been a holy site for the Chaldean Christian Church.

This beautiful arched gate is all that remains of the fortress the ancient mountaintop town of Amadiya once was.

Ancient rock-cut tomb? Definitely. That of a great Median king? Unlikely.

An ancient fortified mound raised over the millennia from settlements built one on top of the other.