The lavish Golestan Palace Built during the Qajar Dynasty that rose to power in the late 1700’s, this fabulous walled complex is centered on a landscaped garden with tranquil pools. The palace buildings are among the oldest in modern Tehran. All traces of mid 18th-century construction by the Zand dynasty were almost totally obliterated by the early Qajar shahs and, rubbing salt into the wound, Agha Mohammed ordered the bones of Karim Khan Zand to be exhumed from his Shiraz grave and placed under the main threshold to be trodden on by all. The buildings that make up this magnificent complex are some of the oldest in Tehran and mix both Persian and European architectural styles, in particular, French. The palace pavilions then built by Fath Ali Shah were in turn largely torn down during the extensive and lengthy construction programme (1867—92) of Naser al-Din Shah, although sections were saved: the Talar Divan Khaneh or Audience Chamber of two main the Marble Throne (Takht-e Marmar) and the Emarat-e Badgir (Wind Tower) in the south. But the work of that shah suffered too. The huge Taziyeh hall, used for Moharram performance and inspired by the Royal Albert Hall in London (as seen by the Shah during his 1876 state visit), was destroyed in 1946, and his 1891 Kakh-e Abyad (White Palace) was razed to make way for offices of the Ministry of Finance, the Bank Melli and the Ministry of Roads. Also inspired by the Shah's 1873 visit to Europe, which included Versailles with its famous mirrored gallery, is the Hall of Mirrors within the Golestan complex which served as the coronation room for both Reza Shah and his son; it remains intact. If you do not have time to visit all 12 museums, do buy a ticket for the Marble ‘Throne veranda and the art gallery, followed by a walk in the courtyard to look at the various tiled panels, all extremely decorative with the distinct Qajar palette of yellows, pinks and blues. There is a good but expensive gift shop next door to the (currently closed) Ethnographic Museum. “Ihe Marble Throne veranda (Ivan-e Takht-e Marmar), straight across the courtyard from the main gate, is decorated with mirrors and other goodies seized by Agha Mohammed from the Zand palace buildings. The throne-couch itself, not the most beautiful artefact made by man, was carved by Esfahani craftsmen in 1807 or 1841 (depending upon who you read) and was where the shah sat during public audiences; Reza Shah Pahlavi was the last ruler to receive birthday and Nou Rouz greetings from his courtiers on this throne. On the veranda a door leads into a small portrait chamber decorated with oil paintings of rulers, historic and mythical, a bevy of European ladies and garden scenes; Fath Ali portrait is over the chimney. main art gallery (Negar Khaneh) is next door, including mainly 19th-century oils, some the work of Kamal al-Molk, the leading court painter to Naser al-Din Shah, and then come the 1875 hall Of mirrors and the European Art Gallery. The twin-tower pavilion is the Shams al-Emerah built by Naser al-Din , which now houses a small collection of calligraphy (no labels in English) in a splendour of mirrors and plasterwork. This was the first five-storey building to be constructed in Tehran, which Lord Curzon described in 1892 as ‘a very creditable specimen of the fanciful ingenuity that still lingers in modern Persian art: Continuing around this gaily tiled courtyard you come across the photography gallery and archive, the Tent House, now used for conferences, and the so-called Diamond Room, a tea house and toiletsA
The Golestan Palace complex is made up of 17 buildings with eight key structures.
TAKHT-E MARMAR (MARBLE THRONE VERANDAH)
Constructed during the reign of Fath Ali Shah in 1806 in yellow marble from Yazd, the Takht-e Marmar was used for the coronation of Qajar kings and Reza Shah in 1925. Made from over sixty pieces of stone the raised dais is supported by carved human figures
KHALVAT E KARIM KHANI (KARIM KHANI NOOK)
The Khalvat e Karim Khani, in the corner of the same building as the Marble Throne, was once part of the residence of Karim Khan of the Zand dynasty. There is a much smaller throne with less ornamentation. Nasser al-Din Shah of the Qajar dynasty was known to smoke his water pipe admiring his beautiful surroundings. His marble tombstone has been placed here. Next door is the Negar Khaneh which displays the work of Iranian painters, many of them depicting the Qajars in their royal finery and jewels (now in the National Jewels Museum). The exhibition is divided into two between early and late Qajar painting.
TALAR E BRELIAN (BRILLIANT HALL)
The Talar e Brelian (Brilliant Hall) is so called because of its dazzling mirror work and crystal chandeliers. The hall was built on the order of Nasser ed Din Shah to replace a previous building.
TALAR-E SALAM (SALAM HALL)
The Talar-e Salam was a reception hall meant to dazzle its visitors including European dignitaries who visited the Qajar court. Royal jewels (now in the National Jewels Museum) were on display inside glass cases along with Iranian and European paintings on the walls. Plaster molding decorates the ceiling and walls while the floors are mosaic. Under the hall is a gallery holding various items from Persian history including a collection of Qajar seals, the Helmet of King Ismail I and the ceremonial Bow and arrows of King Nader
TALAR-E ADJ (IVORY HALL)
The Talar-e Adj (Ivory Hall) was used as a dining hall and displays gifts to the Qajar rulers from various European royalty.
TALAR-E ZORUF (CONTAINERS HALL)
The Talar-e Zoruf exhibits a priceless collection of porcelain from European monarchs including pieces given by Napoleon Bonaparte, Czar Nicholas I and Queen Victoria.
TALAR-E AYAHEH (MIRROR HALL)
For many visitors the Talar-e Ayaheh or Talar-e Aineh (Mirror Hall) is the highlight of the Golestan Palace. The lavish hall was constructed between 1874 and 1877 and once housed the Peacock Throne (now in the National Jewels Museum)
TALAR-E ALMAS (DIAMOND HALL)
Like the Mirror Hall, the Talar-e Almas or Diamond Hall has magnificent mirror work and dates back to the era of Fath Ali Shah, the second of the Qajar shahs who ruled from 1797 to 1834 and is remembered for his long beard which trailed below "his wasp-like waist," the huge number of children he fathered from his vast harem and his disastrous wars with Russia
EMARAT E BADGIR (BUILDING OF WINDCATCHERS)
These elegant badgirs or windcatchers which give the structure its name channel cool air into the rooms below which are decorated with fine stained glass windows.
SHAMS-OL-EMANEH (EDIFICE OF THE SUN)
Built between 1865 and 1867, the Shams-ol-Emaneh is the tallest structure at the Golestan Palace and afforded the shahs views over their capital. There are two identical towers lined with fine tile work and with arched windows. The two towers are based on the design of the Ali Qapu Palace in Isfahan
ABYAZ PALACE
The Abyaz ("White") Palace now houses an Ethnological Museum with mannequins dressed in Persian folk costumes. It was originally built to house the gifts sent to the shah from the Ottomans
HOWZ KHANEH (POND HOUSE)
The Howz Khaneh (Pond House), so called because of the small ponds and stone fountains once in use in the room to keep it cool in summer. Now the room houses the works of European painters presented to the Qajar court
The Golestan Palace complex is made up of 17 buildings with eight key structures.
TAKHT-E MARMAR (MARBLE THRONE VERANDAH)
Constructed during the reign of Fath Ali Shah in 1806 in yellow marble from Yazd, the Takht-e Marmar was used for the coronation of Qajar kings and Reza Shah in 1925. Made from over sixty pieces of stone the raised dais is supported by carved human figures
KHALVAT E KARIM KHANI (KARIM KHANI NOOK)
The Khalvat e Karim Khani, in the corner of the same building as the Marble Throne, was once part of the residence of Karim Khan of the Zand dynasty. There is a much smaller throne with less ornamentation. Nasser al-Din Shah of the Qajar dynasty was known to smoke his water pipe admiring his beautiful surroundings. His marble tombstone has been placed here. Next door is the Negar Khaneh which displays the work of Iranian painters, many of them depicting the Qajars in their royal finery and jewels (now in the National Jewels Museum). The exhibition is divided into two between early and late Qajar painting.
TALAR E BRELIAN (BRILLIANT HALL)
The Talar e Brelian (Brilliant Hall) is so called because of its dazzling mirror work and crystal chandeliers. The hall was built on the order of Nasser ed Din Shah to replace a previous building.
TALAR-E SALAM (SALAM HALL)
The Talar-e Salam was a reception hall meant to dazzle its visitors including European dignitaries who visited the Qajar court. Royal jewels (now in the National Jewels Museum) were on display inside glass cases along with Iranian and European paintings on the walls. Plaster molding decorates the ceiling and walls while the floors are mosaic. Under the hall is a gallery holding various items from Persian history including a collection of Qajar seals, the Helmet of King Ismail I and the ceremonial Bow and arrows of King Nader
TALAR-E ADJ (IVORY HALL)
The Talar-e Adj (Ivory Hall) was used as a dining hall and displays gifts to the Qajar rulers from various European royalty.
TALAR-E ZORUF (CONTAINERS HALL)
The Talar-e Zoruf exhibits a priceless collection of porcelain from European monarchs including pieces given by Napoleon Bonaparte, Czar Nicholas I and Queen Victoria.
TALAR-E AYAHEH (MIRROR HALL)
For many visitors the Talar-e Ayaheh or Talar-e Aineh (Mirror Hall) is the highlight of the Golestan Palace. The lavish hall was constructed between 1874 and 1877 and once housed the Peacock Throne (now in the National Jewels Museum)
TALAR-E ALMAS (DIAMOND HALL)
Like the Mirror Hall, the Talar-e Almas or Diamond Hall has magnificent mirror work and dates back to the era of Fath Ali Shah, the second of the Qajar shahs who ruled from 1797 to 1834 and is remembered for his long beard which trailed below "his wasp-like waist," the huge number of children he fathered from his vast harem and his disastrous wars with Russia
EMARAT E BADGIR (BUILDING OF WINDCATCHERS)
These elegant badgirs or windcatchers which give the structure its name channel cool air into the rooms below which are decorated with fine stained glass windows.
SHAMS-OL-EMANEH (EDIFICE OF THE SUN)
Built between 1865 and 1867, the Shams-ol-Emaneh is the tallest structure at the Golestan Palace and afforded the shahs views over their capital. There are two identical towers lined with fine tile work and with arched windows. The two towers are based on the design of the Ali Qapu Palace in Isfahan
ABYAZ PALACE
The Abyaz ("White") Palace now houses an Ethnological Museum with mannequins dressed in Persian folk costumes. It was originally built to house the gifts sent to the shah from the Ottomans
HOWZ KHANEH (POND HOUSE)
The Howz Khaneh (Pond House), so called because of the small ponds and stone fountains once in use in the room to keep it cool in summer. Now the room houses the works of European painters presented to the Qajar court
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