Splendid Monuments Reminiscent of the Ancient Persian history   Churches in Iran Freedom of religion and thought are deeply rooted within the cultural heritage of Persians and hence religious minorities always enjoyed their liberty and equality in Iran, away from the existing oppression and prejudices elsewhere. As a benevolent nation, once again, Iranians manifested their heartfelt- desire for a meaningful and friendly co-existence with all religious minorities during post-revolution years--inclusive of their equal rights and individual liberty. Historically, habitation of Christians in Persia dates backs to an era before the advent of Islam while the Jewish minority, too, was granted its "Charter of Liberty by Cyrus, the ancient Persian King and the founder of Achaemenian Dynasty around 500 BC." Presently the followers of Zoroaster, the Iranian prophet, also enjoy remarkable reverence and substantial individual rights according to the constitution of the Islamic Republic of Iran. Magnificent Christian churches existed in various parts of Iran out of which the following still endure: Vanak in Jolfa, Isfahan, the Holy Mary in Urmia (the second oldest Christian monument built after the Cathedral of Bethlehm in Occupied Palestine) and Tadeus Church located on the outskirts of the city of Makou, Azerbaijan. Gonbad-e-Ghabous According to Professor Pope: "at the foot of the eastern Alborz towards the Gorgan Plateau stands a superb architectural masterpiece, in the north of Iran, whose uniqueness rests upon its great height, desolation, plane composition and imposing form." The structure with its grandeur and elegance is yet another display of physical eath with its ultimate oblivion. As one of the splendid monuments built during the Al-a-ziar Dynasty in the 11th Century AD, the massive "Gonbad-e-Ghabous" structure still stands on a hilltop of a 15 meters height near the city of "Jorjan." Gonbad-e-Ghabous diameter at base measures 19 meters while its height stands 55 meters. However, despite the simplicity of its style the mentioned structure is certainly among the most impressive tombs erected throughout the Islamic world.   Chaghazanbil Ziggurat  The structure of "Ziggurat," meaning a climb to the summit, depicts common aspirations of people who were struggling to ascend to the high sky. Relying upon his extensive research on great architectural and artistic works in Iran Prof. Pope firmly believes that in ancient times a strong tendency towards the worship of the majestic shape of the mountain existed throughout the Middle East. Hence the gigantic "Ziggurats," impressively breaking the monotony of the vast plains of Mesopotamia, were nothing but grand monuments erected to observe the elaborate mountain worship ritual(s). As the oldest historical site and the world largest Ziggurat situated in Chaghazanbil ,facing the river Daze in the south of Iran, this ancient structure with stunning dimensions matches the magnificent Egyptian Pyramids and is also registered as one of the most significant cultural heritage in the world. Moreover, the most inner tower of the Ziggurat stands 160 feet tall while its walls are built of a clay-brick mixture containing superb enamel surface in blue and green metallic.