The Minaret and Archaeological Remains of Jam is a 65-meter tall structure covered in brickwork with a blue tile inscription at the top.

The Minaret is completely covered with geometric decoration in relief enhanced with a Kufic inscription in turquoise tiles.

Built in 1194 by the great Ghurid Sultan Ghiyas-od-din (1153-1203), its emplacement probably marks the site of the ancient city of Firuzkuh, believed to have been the summer capital of the Ghurid dynasty.

Surrounding remains include a group of stones with Hebrew inscriptions from the 11th to 12th centuries on the Kushkak hill, and vestiges of castles and towers of the Ghurid settlements on the banks of the Hari River as well as to the east of the Minaret.

A palace, fortifications and a Jewish cemetery are scattered around the Jam and those archaeological landscape has been suggested to be the remains of the lost Turquoise Mountain.

A group of French explorers discovered the Minaret of Jam in 1958. Active restoration efforts were made and scientific studies are conducted to slow the decay since the early 70's.

Located near the Hari and Jam rivers, the Minaret of Jam is threatened by erosion and water infiltration. It is described in the UNESCO's list of World Heritage in Danger because of the precarious state of the minaret and the looting at the site.

What are the cultural elements that best represent Asia? Follow up the "Know Asia Better" series. It will offer you a glimpse of 47 Asian countries, through architecture, art or cultural figures to show you a diversified Asia that you may never have noticed before. Themed in the exchanges and mutual learning among Asian civilizations and building a community with a share future for mankind, the Conference on Dialogue of Asian Civilizations will be held in Beijing in May.

(With input from UNESCO.org)