Its palaces, gardens, and the mausoleum of Cyrus are outstanding examples of the first phase of royal Achaemenid art and architecture and exceptional testimonies of Persian civilization. The buildings include a temple in the form of a tower; the remains of his palace; and his tomb, a structure of white stone 18 ft (5.5 m) high, on a massive base. According to Greek historians, Alexander the Great found Cyrus' tomb already rifled, and he sealed its entrance. The tomb has long since been reopened.

The city was built on the site where king Cyrus defeated the leader of the Medes, Astyages, in 550 BC. Cyrus appointed a governor (satrap) to represent him in each province, however the administration, legistlation, and cultural activities of each province was the responsibility of the Satraps.

Pasargadae provides the earliest known example of the Persian garden concept.

Its role was, and is, that of relaxation in a variety of manners: spiritual, and leisurely (such as meetings with friends), essentially a paradise on earth.

The manner in which the garden is constructed maybe formal (with emphasis on structure) or casual (with emphasis on plant), and complies to various simple rules governing the design - this is said to allow a maximisation, in terms of function and emotion, of what may be done in the garden.

The origin of the Persian gardens have been estimated to go back to 4000 BC.
On the decorated pottery of that time are found the typical cross plan of the Persian gardens.
The Persian concept of an ideal, paradise-like garden is perfectly embodied in the Taj Mahal.

It was Babur who introduced the Persian garden to India, and the now unkempt Aram Bagh garden in Agra was the first of many Persian gardens he created.

Taj Mahal is one of the largest Persian gardens of the world.