Dashkasan Dragon Temple

Dashkasan, or the Dragon Temple ranks first in the list of the most beautiful caves in Iran, It is located in Veir Village, 10 kilometers southeast of Soltaniyeh. Dashkasan is made up of three deep, man-made caves with beautiful stone carvings. The depiction of two 3.5-meter dragons confronting each other is one of these engravings. On either side of these carvings, there are altars with floral and arabesque designs, as well as stone Muqarnas embellishments. According to one interpretation, these carvings were commissioned by Ilkhanid ruler Oljeitu (1280–1316) and created by Chinese craftsmen. According to other researchers, this temple was first utilized by Mithra's disciples in Sassanid (226-651 CE) Iran, and then by the Ilkhanids before they converted to Islam.

The Dashkasan Dragon Temple was built in the early 14th century by Mongol monarch ljaitü. The sacred sanctuary was created by quarring three caverns into the mountain. The rectangular temple was erected by four Chinese artisans, who also carved the stunning dragon statues that span both sides. The dragons, which stand about 10 feet (3 meters) tall, are encircled by more typical Islamic patterns like flowers. Within the temple, a mihrab, a recess in the wall that marks the direction of Mecca, was also added. Some researchers claim that during the Sassanid period, the Zora-Astrian worshippers of Mithras (God of Light and Truth) used this temple (224 to 651). The temple's excavations are still half-completed today. Outside the temple, columns and rubble have been removed. With hundreds of fallen bricks strewn about, the area resembles a toddler's playground.

Location: south-east of Soltaniyeh