Azar Goshnasp Fire Temple

Azar Goshnasp Fire Temple is is among the most famous and largest fire temples in Iran's plateau which is located 49 km northwest of the city of Takab. AzarGoshnasp means the fire of a stallion.
According to the Persian legends, it was called Azargashsb since when Key Khosrow opened Bahman Dezh Gate at mid-day, he faced the nightly dark which the evil had made magically.
A flame then appeared on the mane of his horse which illuminated the world again. After the victory of Key Khosrow to open up Bahman Dezh, he placed the fire in the site to appreciate the assistance of Ahura (God). The fire and its spot was called the fire of the stallion or Azargashsb and AzarGoshnasp.
The construction dates from 3,000 years ago. Azargashsb is located near the Oromiyeh Lake. In the old days, there used to be magnificent palaces around.
The fire temple is built on the northern side of the lake and contains Chahar Taghi, a rectangular infrastructure with four pillars on four corners and a dome on their top. Inside it there is a fire alter and corridors designed for religious rituals are seen around.
On the right-hand side of Chahar Taghi, is placed the second most important room where they kept fire on for worshiping time.
On the northwest lies the high and gorgeous Ivan of the Sassanid known as Ivan-e-Khosrow which is made of red bricks and mortar. The only remaining walls are still indicative of the whole collection.
The high Ivan was built for the Sassanid kings to stay during the rituals performed in the fire temple. Most probably it dates back to Khosrow I known as Anushirvan.
Over the hill, extends a lake, over 60 m deep and with a diameter of 100 m. It's water is supplied through a roaring river on the bed of the lake and is filled with lime and lacks any living organism.
It's temperature is fixed in winter and summer. The amount of the lake is consistent as a result of 2 currents, one joins the north of the lake and the other pours into the south.
The indigenous people call the southern water canal, made in the Sassanid era, Ezhdeha, or dragon. Takht-e-Soleiman Lake has been mentioned in many historical texts.
The structure was built over, 3,000 years ago. AzarGoshnasp is located near Oromiyeh Lake and in the old days there used to be gorgeous palaces around.
Azargashsb is an abbreviation for AzarGoshnasp which is one of the triple holy fire temples guarding the world.
The fire temple was located in Balkh. Goshtasb 's treasures were also placed there which were devastated by Alexander who took them away.
Azargashsb Fire Temple was pronounced Ganzaak or Ganjeh in Pahlavi, Gazka in Roman, Shiz in Arabic and in the Ilkhanid era it was pronounced Saturigh.
In the times of Anushirvan and Khosrow Parviz it was highly respected and its renovation and expansion were indeed important. After the collapse of the Sassanid and the spread of the religion of Islam, the place was severely damaged.
When Abagha Khan was the ruler, it served as a summer resort, a capital in summertime, after some remarkable restorations were carried out and new buildings were added.
The same story happened when Abassid rulers were in power and they also used the site.
The Persian Fire Temple, called Throne of Solomon when the Ilkhanid ruled, is recognized as the most expansive religious and social building dating from pre-Islamic era which has been identified after excavation.
AzarGoshnasp was recorded on the UNESCO world Heritage list as the fourth most ancient site in the country in 1382.