Tachara

The Tachara measuring 1,160 square meters (12,486 sq. feet) is the smallest of the palace buildings in Persepolis . Its main room is a mere 15.15m x 15.42 m (49.70 ft. x 50.59 ft.) with three rows of four columns .

The name Tachara was chosen by Darius I for his palace, the first completed structure on the Terrace before his death. It stands back to back to the Apadana and is oriented southward. The Tachara's function, however, was more ceremonial than residential. Upon completion, it served in conjunction with the earlier south oriented entrance stairs as the Nowrouz celebration venue until the other buildings that would comprise Persepolis could be finished -- a provisional union of the Apadana, the Throne Hall, and a Banquet Hall.

As the first of the palace structures on the Terrace, the Tachara was constructed of the finest quality stone. The surface was almost completely black and polished to a glossy brilliance. This surface treatment combined with the high quality stone is the reason for it being the most intact of all ruins at Persepolis today. Although its mud block walls have completely disintegrated, the enormous stone blocks of the door and window frames have survived. A complete window measuring 2.65m x 2.65m x 1.70m (8.69ft. x 8.69ft. x 5.57ft.) 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 .

Darius the Great's pride at the superb craftsmanship is evident by his ordering the following inscription on all 18 niches and window frames : "Frames of stone, made for the Palace of King Darius ."