Top 10 Fascinating Facts about Golestan Palace

Golestan Palace photo by Shahriar Dabiri – Wikimedia commons

Top 10 Fascinating facts about Golestan Palace

Iran has a rich history, from the days of the Persian Empire through the 7th-century Arab invasion up to the 21st century. Iran has a National Heritage List which is a register of nationally significant monuments, places, buildings, and events.

The Iran National Heritage was officially registered under the National Heritage Preservation Act of 1930. Is Golestan Palace included in the National Heritage List? Let’s find out. In the article are the top ten fascinating facts about Golestan Palace.

1. Golestan Palace has a World Heritage status!

Golestan Palace photo by Mary Brights – Wikimedia commons

A World Heritage Site is a landmark or area with legal protection by an international convention administered by the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO).

The lavish Golestan Palace is a masterpiece of the Qajar era, embodying the successful integration of earlier Persian crafts and architecture with Western influences.

Golestan Palace became a centre of Qajari arts and architecture. It is an outstanding example and has remained a source of inspiration for Iranian artists and architects to this day.

World Heritage Sites are designated by UNESCO for having cultural, historical, scientific, or other forms of significance. Golestan Palace falls in the category of a World Heritage Site because it embodies the successful integration of early Persian crafts and architecture with Western influences.

2. Golestan Palace has a National Heritage Status!

Golestan Palace photo by Soheil Callge – Wikimedia commons

Apart from being a World Heritage Site, Golestan Palace is also on the list of the National Heritage Sites of Iran. According to Article 1 of the law in the National Heritage Preservation Act of 1930, “All the industrial monuments and buildings that were built up to the end of the Zand dynasty in the country of Iran must have National Heritage status.”

Golestan Palace is located in the heart and historic core of Tehran. The palace complex is one of the oldest in Tehran, originally built during the Safavid dynasty in the historic walled city. Take note that between the Safavid dynasty and the Zand dynasty, the Safavid dynasty is the elder.

The Safavid dynasty was one of Iran’s most significant ruling dynasties reigning from 1501 to 1736. The Zand was founded by Karim Khan Zand reigning from 1751 to 1779. Zand dynasty initially ruled southern and central Iran in the 18th century. Golestan Palace is older even than the Zand dynasty and so it is a National Heritage Site!

3. Golestan Palace has numerous names

Golestan Palace photo by Hadi Partovifar- Wikimedia commons

The former Royal Qajar complex in Iran’s capital city, Tehran, Golestan Palace is also known as the Gulistan Palace and sometimes known as the Rose Garden Palace. The name Golestan Palace is derived from the Golestan Hall, located in the exterior edifice.

Golestan Palace belongs to a group of royal buildings that were once enclosed within the mud-thatched walls of Tehran’s arg. It is also known as Rose Garden Palace because it has numerous gardens which have roses planted on them.

4. Golestan Palace was once used for formal royal receptions

Golestan Palace by Sanam Kheradmand – Wikimedia commons

Pahlavi era was the last Iranian royal dynasty, ruling for almost 54 years between 1925 and 1979 by a non-aristocratic Mazanderani soldier. Golestan Palace was then used for formal royal receptions.

The most important ceremonies held in the palace during the Pahlavi era were the coronation of Reza Shah from 1925 to 1941 on the Marble Throne and the coronation of Mohammad Reza Pahlavi from 1941 to 1979 in the Museum Hall.

5. The complex of Golestan Palace consists of 17 structures

Even though a large portion of the buildings of the complex was destroyed on the orders of Reza Shah between 1925 to 1945, the complex managed to salvage 17 structures in total. The complex was built during the 131 years of rule of the Qajar kings as so it was not in vain because the 131 years of history were conserved by the 17 structures.

The 17 structures in Golestan Palace include palaces, museums, and halls. These palaces were used for many occasions such as coronations and other important celebrations. The complex also consists of three main archives, including the photographic archive, the library of manuscripts, and the archive of documents.

6. Golestan Palace has a Mable Throne

Marble Throne is a spectacular terrace in Golestan Palace. Marble Thronewas built in 1806 by the order of Fath Ali Shah of the Qajar dynasty. The throne embodies the finest of Iranian architecture because it is adorned by paintings, marble carvings, tile-work, stucco, mirrors, enamel, woodcarvings, and lattice windows.

The Marble Throne is one of the oldest buildings of the historic arg. It is situated in the middle of the terrace and is made of the famous yellow marble of Yazd Province. The head painter of the Qajar court, Mirza Baba Naqash Bashi designed the throne.

The throne is made of sixty-five pieces of marble. Coronations of the Qajar kings and formal court ceremonies were held on this terrace. The last coronation to be held at the Marble Throne was the coronation of Reza Shah of the Pahlavi dynasty, in 1925.

7. Karim Khani Nook is also found in Golestan Palace

Karim Khani Nook photo by نیما آرت – Wikimedia commons

The basic structure of the Karim Khani Nook is similar to the Marble Throne. This building was a part of the interior residence of Karim Khan of the Zand dynasty. It dates back to 1759. The basic structure of the Karim Khani Nook is similar to the Marble Throne.

There is a small marble throne inside the terrace. The structure is much smaller than the Marble Throne and it has much less ornamentation. There was once a small pond with a fountain in the middle of this terrace.

8. The pond house in Golestan Palace was used as a summer chamber

The Pond House was used as a summer chamber during the Qajar era. A special cooling system pumped water from a subterranean system of streams into small ponds inside the chambers.

The system was designed to pass through as many summer rooms as was necessary. The water was then channeled outside to irrigate the royal gardens. Due to the harmful effects of humidity, this system is no longer in use.

9. There is an early photographic collection at the Golestan complex

The photographic archive at the Golestan complex includes photos that are mainly related to the time of the 19th-century progress of photography in Europe. It was created by the order of Naser ed Din Shah of the Qajar dynasty.

It is mentioned that “photography was so common at the royal palace that the king’s wives and his servants also took pictures and posed playfully in front of the camera.” There is a picture of one servant with flowers decorating his head and shoulders.

10. Golestan Palace has homes Edifice of the Sun

Edifice of the Sun photo by mostafa kharrazu – Wikimedia commons

The Edifice of the Sun is considered the most stunning structure of the Golestan Palace. The building has two identical towers. The exterior views have multiple arches, intricate tilework, and ornate windows. This building’s two towers are small versions of the Safavid viewing palace of Ālī Qāpū in Isfahan.

The idea of building a tall structure came to Nasser ed-Din Shah who wanted a structure from which he could have panoramic views of the city. Designed by Moayer ol Mamalek, construction on this building began in 1865 and was completed two years later. Its architect was Ali Mohammad Kashi.

Visit Golestan Palace and experience life in the Safavid and Zand dynasties. Golestan Palace is a must-visit place in Tehran, Iran. Experience also, a group of royal buildings that were once enclosed together with the Golestan Palace within the mud-thatched walls of Tehran’s arg.

PRACTICAL INFORMATION
Address: Tehran District 12 Panzdah-e-Khordad St Fifth Khordad Avenue Arg Sqr،, Iran
Hours:
Open ⋅ Address: Tehran District 12 Panzdah-e-Khordad St Fifth Khordad Avenue Arg Sqr،, Iran
Hours:
Open Saturday, Monday, Tuesday, AND Wednesday (9 AM–7 PM)
Thursday 9 AM–6:30 PM
Friday 9 AM–5 PM
Sunday 3:54 AM–7 PM
Phone: +98 21 3311 3335
UNESCO Site Id: 1422
Area: 5.3 ha