Persepolis

The Gateway of All Nations, the imposing portal to the imperial city.

Persepolis is built on a huge terrace, partly natural and partly cut out of the mountain, more than 125,000 square meters in area. You approach it over a long flat plaza from the road, then climb up the long double stairway to the terrace.

Where you find -- a waiting room. It's bigger than your average doctor's office or reception area, but the same idea -- a large squarish space with stone seating carved into the walls, where visitors cooled their heels until some acolyte or other was sent to fetch them.

Proving that some things never change.