Tachara Palace at night (Achaemenid Empire | 550–330 BC), the exclusive residence of Darius the Great in Persepolis, Iran. [1352×1080]

The Tachara (Persian: تچر), was the exclusive/private building of Darius the Great at Persepolis, Iran. Tachara stands back to back to the Apadana, and is oriented southward. Measuring 1,160 square meters (12,500 square feet), it is the smallest oldest structure at Persepolis. It was constructed with the the finest quality of gray stone. Its main room is a mere 15.15 m × 15.42 m (49.7 ft × 50.6 ft) with three rows of four columns. A complete window measuring 2.65 m × 2.65 m × 1.70 m (8.7 ft × 8.7 ft × 5.6 ft) was carved from a single block of stone and weighed 18 tons. The door frame was fashioned from three separate monoliths and weighed 75 tons.

Like many other parts of Persepolis, the Tachara has reliefs of tribute-bearing dignitaries. There are sculptured figures of lance-bearers carrying large rectangular wicker shields, attendants or servants with towel and perfume bottles, and a royal hero killing lions and monsters. There is also a bas-relief at the main doorway depicting Darius I wearing a crenellated crown covered with sheets of gold. The Tachara is connected to the south court by a double reversed stairway. Later under the reign of Artaxerxes III, a new stairway was added to the northwest of the Tachara which is connected to the main hall through a new doorway. On walls of these stairways, there are sculptured representations of figures such as servants, attendants and soldiers dressed in Median and Persian costumes, as well as gift-bearing delegations flanking carved inscriptions.

The function of the building was more ceremonial than residential. It started construction by the order of Darius, but only a small portion of it was finished under his rule. It was completed after Darius’ death in 486 BC, by his son and successor, Xerxes (486-465 BC), who called it Tachara, translated to “winter palace”. It was then used by Artaxerxes I (465–424 BC). Following his invasion of Iran in 330 BC, Alexander the Great and his troops looted Persepolis. Tachara was one of the few structures that escaped destruction in the burning of the complex by Alexander’s army, and because of that, it is the most intact building of Persepolis today. It is also the oldest structure at Persepolis.