Pasargadae was founded by Cyrus the Great and is located in Fars, close to the site where Persepolis was later built. Various structures have been found at the site - now largely destroyed - including a gate-house which was once flanked by winged bulls, two small palaces and two pavilions. There is also a large unfinished platform which was probably the base for a palace that was never built.

The buildings were made of stone and the palaces had columned halls with porticoes much like those at Persepolis. They were built by skilled masons brought from Ionia and Lydia, territories in western Turkey conquered by Cyrus. There also seems to have been a pleasure park or garden at Pasargadae: the first of the gardens for which Persia has become famous.

Cyrus was brought back to Pasargadae after his death in 530 BC. His body was placed in the large gabled stone tomb he had had built, set apart from other buildings on the site. The city remained in use in subsequent years, perhaps as a ceremonial or religious centre hosting successive coronations.