Top 10 Fascinatinating Facts about Chehel Sotun Palace

A photo of Chehel Sotun Palace by Arad Mojtahedi – Wikimedia commons

Top 10 Fascinating Facts about Chehel Sotun Palace 

Chehel Sotoun is a Persian pavilion in the middle of a park at the far end of a long pool, in Isfahan, Iran. The palace was built by Shah Abbas II to be used for his entertainment and receptions.

In this palace, Shah Abbas II and his successors would receive dignitaries and ambassadors, either on the terrace or in one of the stately reception halls. so, in the article top ten fascinating facts about Chehel Sotun palace.

1. Chehel Sotun means forty columns

Chehel Sotun image by Soheil Callage – Wikimedia commons

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The name Chehel Sotun, meaning “Forty Columns” in Persian, was inspired by the twenty slender wooden columns supporting the entrance pavilion. When the wooden columns were reflected in the waters of the fountain, is said to appear to be forty.

2. Construction of Chehel Sotun Palace was completed in 1647

The time of construction of Chehel Sotoon Palace dates back to the time of Shah Abbas I known as Abbas the Great when Isfahan was chosen as the capital of Iran. At that time, multiple huge projects were implemented in this historical city.

The construction of a large and wide boulevard called Chahar-baagh and the lovely Persian gardens surrounding the palace were part of the design plan. The Chehel Sotun green area served as a connection passage from Chahar Baagh to Naqsh-e Jahan Square.

3. The palace contains many frescoes and paintings in ceramic

A photo of a fresco inside Chehel Sotun Palace by Soheil Callage – Wikimedia commons

A fresco is a technique of mural painting executed upon freshly laid (“wet”) lime plaster. As with Ali Qapu, the palace contains many frescoes and paintings on ceramic. Many of the ceramic panels have been dispersed and are now in the possession of major museums in the west.

4. The frescoes and paintings depict many historical scenes

They depict specific historical scenes such as the infamous Battle of Chaldiran against the Ottoman Sultan Selim I, and the reception of an Uzbek King in 1646 when the palace had just been completed.

Also, some depict the welcome extended to the Mughal Emperor, Humayun who took refuge in Iran in 1544; the battle of Taher-Abad in 1510 where the Safavid Shah Ismail I vanquished and killed the Uzbek King.

5. There is a more recent painting that depicts Nader Shah’s victory of 1739

Detail of Fresco showing Battle scene image by Adam Jones from Kelowna, BC, Canada – Wikimedia commons

Nader Shah Afshar was the founder of the Afsharid dynasty of Iran and one of the most powerful rulers in Iranian history, ruling as shah of Iran (Persia) from 1736 to 1747 when he was assassinated during a rebellion.

He fought numerous campaigns throughout the Middle East, the Caucasus, and Central and South Asia, such as the battles of Herat, Mihmandust, Murche-Khort, Agh-Darband, Yeghevard, Khyber Pass, Karnal, and Kars. He was a military genius.

The Battle of Karnal which started on 24 February 1739 was a decisive victory for Nader Shah, the founder of the Afsharid dynasty of Iran, during his invasion of India. Nader’s forces defeated the army of Muhammad Shah within three hours.

The engagement is considered the crowning jewel in Nader’s military career as well as a tactical masterpiece. The battle took place near Karnal in Haryana, 110 kilometers north of Delhi, India. The recent painting depicts Nader Shah’s victory against the Indian Army at Karnal in 1739.

6. Chehel Sotun has a World Heritage status

Chehel Sotun Palace image by David Stanley from Nanaimo, Canada – Wikimedia commons

The Chehel Sotoun Palace is among 9 Iranian Gardens which are collectively registered as one of Iran’s 23 registered World Heritage Sites under the name of the Persian Garden. It was internationally inscribed by UNESCO as one of the characterized Persian gardens.

7. The architecture of this palace is a combination of Chinese, Iranian and French architecture

The architecture of this palace is a combination of Chinese, Iranian and French architecture. The building consists of a main (large) porch with 38 meters long, 17 meters wide, and 14 meters high, which made it face East.

The columns of this octagonal porch are from sycamore and pine wood. And the middle four pillars are located on four stone valves.

8. Chehel Sotun has a famous pool on its front

An imge of a pool infront of Chehel Sotun by Behnam mancini – Wikimedia commons

Chehel Sotoun’s famous pool is in front of the palace which in addition to being beautiful, makes the air soft. On the four sides of the pool, some statues do not belong to the Chehel Sotoun Mansion.

After the destruction of the covered palace, they moved these statues to the pool of Chehel Sotoun. According to some historians, this mansion suffered a terrible fire in the late Safavid period and parts of it burned.

9. The porch of Chehel Sotoun consists of two parts

One section is based on 18 tall wooden pillars. The other part is a little higher. It forms the entrance of the hall and in some sources, they called it “The mirror hall”.

The mirror hall, twenty columns hall, two north and south large rooms of the mirror hall, the porches located on both sides of the kingdom salon, and a large pond in front of the hall were the chances that were done on the palace.

10. Chehel Sotoon Throne hall

Throne Hall image at Chehel Sotun Palace by Mostafameraji – Wikimedia commons

The throne hall or the main hall is the most important part of Chehel Sotoon palace in Isfahan; with spectacular and amazing paintings of the Safavid period, inlaid windows, and a majestic ceiling.

The ceiling of this large room is perhaps the best example of its kind in Iran. Plaster works with a soft texture in navy blue color, bright emerald red, and gold leaves, generously decorated with a series of oil paintings on the sides.