Taq Kasra

About this place

Taq Kasra is the remains of a huge Sasanian palace near the town of Salman Pak, south-east of Baghdad, and the only visible structure left of the ancient city of Ctesiphon. It is also known as the Arch of Ctesiphon. Its open vault is a landmark in the history of architecture, among the largest single-span vaults of unreinforced brick in the world. Its date is not known exactly, with some historians placing it under Shapur I in the 3rd century and others under Khosrow I after 540. This iwan was the facade of the main palace in the Sasanian capital. It stood about 37 m high, 26 m across and 50 m long. You see the front wall decorated with rows of blind arches, and beside it the great vault, which may be surrounded by restoration scaffolding. Palm trees stand around it and give the scene a special character, above all in low light. Up close you grasp how bold it was to build a vault this size in brick alone. It is about 32 km in a straight line from central Baghdad, and a car is the best way to reach it. We found no confirmed hours or fees, so bring water and a hat, and respect any limits on site during restoration work. The UK Foreign Office currently advises against all but essential travel to this area, so check official guidance before planning.