Nazar Research Center for Art, Architecture and Urbanism (NRC) The Monthly Scientific Journal of Bagh-e Nazar 1735-9635 6 11 2009 06 01 Recovery of Ancient Cities by Referring to the Historical Texts, Case Study: Darabgerd Recovery of Ancient Cities by Referring to the Historical Texts, Case Study: Darabgerd 69 82 41 FA Hasan Karimian Sasan Seyedein Journal Article 2009 08 20 Darabgerd that, somehow, may be considered as the initial capital of Sasanian Kingdom, could most probably be counted as the first experience of establishment of a city with circular plan, in the sought of Iran. The example which has later been imitated in the city of Ardashir Khure. According to the geography writers and historians, the foundation of the city has been placed at the time of Darius the Great (522 – 486 BC), in Achaemenian Kingdom. Historical sources certify that the Darabgerd of Sasanian era (224 – 651 AD) was a city with an approximate area of 203 to 314 hectares, which was protected by a very high circular rampart and also a deep trench. The governmental citadel which is located at the top of a dome-shaped mountain isolated in the city centre, and possible made the observation of any movements within the city and also in the Darab plain. These resources also made it clear that life in Darabgerd had continued for centuries even after the fall of Sasanians. However, today only ruins of this vast city have remained. Although it is more than a century that archaeological activities take place in the country, no comprehensive study has been made to clarify the form and function of the spaces in Darabgerd. Therefore, in this paper, an attempt has been made to picture the revived era of this unique city of ancient Iran, by careful study of its general and spatial characteristics relying on the available historical resources. Darabgerd that, somehow, may be considered as the initial capital of Sasanian Kingdom, could most probably be counted as the first experience of establishment of a city with circular plan, in the sought of Iran. The example which has later been imitated in the city of Ardashir Khure. According to the geography writers and historians, the foundation of the city has been placed at the time of Darius the Great (522 – 486 BC), in Achaemenian Kingdom. Historical sources certify that the Darabgerd of Sasanian era (224 – 651 AD) was a city with an approximate area of 203 to 314 hectares, which was protected by a very high circular rampart and also a deep trench. The governmental citadel which is located at the top of a dome-shaped mountain isolated in the city centre, and possible made the observation of any movements within the city and also in the Darab plain. These resources also made it clear that life in Darabgerd had continued for centuries even after the fall of Sasanians. However, today only ruins of this vast city have remained. Although it is more than a century that archaeological activities take place in the country, no comprehensive study has been made to clarify the form and function of the spaces in Darabgerd. Therefore, in this paper, an attempt has been made to picture the revived era of this unique city of ancient Iran, by careful study of its general and spatial characteristics relying on the available historical resources. https://www.bagh-sj.com/article_41_3416a75f4cea9109507cacd8e2f2aefc.pdf