This decorative souvenir plate commemorates the City of Shiraz, near the site of many famous Persian landmarks.

The ruins of the ancient capital, Persepolis, are prominent.  The chehel soutoon (40 columns) are featured in the lower left, so called because the 20 columns reflected in a pool of water. The steps of Apadana, which led to the great audience hall, are in the lower center.

The faravahar, also called farohar or froohar, the emblem of the Zoroastrian faith, appears over the steps. The early Persian kings embraced this ancient religion, one of the world's oldest monotheistic religions and the foundation upon which many tenets of Judaism, Christianity and Islam were built.

Ahura Mazda, the Zoroastrian deity, is on the right, in front of the tomb of Cyrus the Great, founder of the Achaemenid Empire. He is remembered for his achievements in human rights, politics, and military strategy, as well as his influence on both Eastern and Western civilizations.

In the foreground, in front of a mosque (possibly the Nasir Al-Mulk mosque), is the magnificent tomb of Hafez, whose Sufi poetry is well-known internationally to this day.

A metal display stand is included.

Diameter: 16 cm (approximately 6.25").