No Tehran travel will be a complete one without visiting the stunning Golestan Palace. Being a walled royal mansion, Golestan Palace UNESCO World Heritage Site is a precious diamond sparkling at the heart of Tehran province. If you are planning to take Tehran tours, you may wonder when was the Golestan Palace built or who has done the Golestan Palace interior design. Here, we are going to briefly introduce this magnificent complex, you will definitely enjoy visiting.
Golestan Palace in Tehran is one of the oldest historical monuments of the city, which attracts all the visitors’ attention to its beauty and glory. If you take a look at Golestan Palace images, you will find the palace reminds you of a ‘flower garden’ which is ‘golestan’ meaning. There are many facts about Golestan Palace you will definitely enjoy reading. Just keep up with this Golestan Palace guide to get more information about Golestan Palace, such as Golestan Palace history and architecture, Golestan Palace location, Golestan Palace entrance fee, and Golestan Palace opening times.
Golestan Palace Guide:
Golestan Palace History:
When was the Golestan Palace built?
The current Golestan Palace is the remains of Tehran’s Historical Citadel (Arg), which was constructed at the time of Shah Tahmasb I during the Safavid dynasty, around 500 years ago. The palace was reconstructed by Karim Khan Zand and was selected later as the venue of the royal court and residence by the Qajar Kings.
Golestan Palace had been used for many formal royal receptions. The coronation of Reza Khan in 1925 and that of Mohammad Reza Pahlavi and Farah Diba in 1941 took place at this enchanting palace.
When Agha Mohammad Khan, in 1779, came into power, he chose the Golestan Palace complex as his palace and administrative center. The next Qajar king, Naser al-Din Shah was crowned in the Imarat-eTakht-e Marmar in 1848. In the next fifty years of his reign, he made many modifications to Golestan Palace.
During the Pahlavi era (1925-1979), Golestan Palace was used for formal royal receptions as well. The coronation of Reza Khan in 1925 and that of Mohammad Reza Pahlavi and Farah Diba in 1941 took place at this palace.
Golestan Palace Architecture:
It is not easy to describe Golestan Palace plan. If you take a look at the Golestan Palace map, you will find out Golestan Palace complex includes seventeen different sites, almost all of which were constructed during the Qajar dynasty. Here you can find several parts of the Golestan Palace plan as well as a short introduction to Golestan Palace architecture. There are also some interesting Golestan Palace facts, you can find below:
Golestan Palace Marble Throne (Takht-e Marmar)
The spectacular terrace of the Golestan Palace in Tehran was built in 1806 under the command of Fath Ali Shah Qajar. The Marble Throne in the middle of the terrace called Iwan, is made of the famous yellow marble of Yazd. It is made of sixty-five pieces of marbles and was designed by Mirza Baba Naqash Bashi.
Golestan Palace Pond House (Howz Khaneh)
The Pond House in Golestan Palace in Tehran used to be the king’s summer chamber, as it was a cool place due to the pumped water from the subterranean system of streams into small ponds inside the chambers.
Golestan Palace Brilliant Hall: (Talar-e Brelian)
The Hall name comes from the extraordinary mirror work of Iranian artisans and the chandeliers.
Golestan Palace Containers Hall (Talar-e Zoruf)
Also known as the Golestan Palace museum of gifts, this intriguing hall exhibits all the chinaware dedicated to the Qajar kings by the European monarchs.
Golestan Palace Ivory Hall (Talar-e Adj)
This astonishing hall of the Golestan Palace in Tehran is one of the largest rooms in the complex, which used to be the dining room of the king. It is decorated with gifts from European monarchs as well.
Karim Khani Nook (Khalvat-e Karim Khani)
This site used to be a part of the interior residence of Karim Khan Zand in Shiraz. It is a terrace with a small marble throne inside. There used to be a small pond with a fountain in the middle of this terrace. Nasser Al-Din Shah Qajar was the founder of this corner of the Golestan Palace. It is said that he spent much time here to rest.
Golestan Palace Mirror Hall (Talar-e Aineh)
The most famous hall in the complex is the Mirror Hall due to its extraordinary mirror work. The decoration was designed by Haj Abdol Hossein Memar Bashi (Sanie-al Molk).
Salam Hall (Talar-e Salam)
This is the only hall that was originally designed to be a museum. However, its usage changed to a reception hall in the presence of the king. The ceiling and walls of the hall, decorated with plaster molding, are offering an extraordinary Golestan Palace architecture. Golestan Palace cinema will be constructed near this hall as well.
Golestan Palace Hall of Diamonds (Talar-e Almas)
The Diamond Hall is situated in the southern wing of the complex, next to the building of Wind-catchers (badgirs). There is an exceptional mirror work inside the building which shines like a diamond: the reason the hall is called ‘diamond’.
The Building of Wind-catchers (Emarat-e Badgir)
The Building of Wind-catchers was constructed during the reign of Fath Ali Shah when the major renovations and structural changes were done to the building. The Wind-catcher, one of the most interesting Golestan Palace features, was built to allow the cooling wind to move through in the structure.
The Abyaz Palace (The White Palace)
Some precious gifts dedicated to Nasser Al-Din Shah by the Ottoman Sultan Abdul Hamid are exhibited in this beautiful palace.
The Edifice of the Sun (Shams Al-Emareh) was constructed in 1870s under the command of Nasser Al-Din Shah Qajar, who wanted to have a panoramic view of the city from the edifice.
The Edifice of the Sun (Shams Al-Emareh)
The most stunning structure of the Golestan Palace is the Edifice of the Sun. One of Golestan Palace facts is that the construction of this astonishing edifice was done because Nasser Al-Din Shah wanted to have a panoramic view of the city. The structure offers the most exquisite Golestan Palace tiles; you cannot take your eyes off. This part of Golestan Palace built during 1865-67, was architecture by Master Ali Mohammad Kashi.
The Museum Hall
During his trip to Europe, Nasser Al-Din Shah was very impressed by the exhibition of artifacts and valuable objects at European museums. When he came back to Tehran, he decided to build a museum hall to exhibit paintings, royal jewels, and other royal artifacts.
The Photographic Archive
There is a collection of photos, mostly related to the 19th-century, displaying the lifestyle of the people of the time. The photos were collected under the command of Nasser Al-Din Shah himself.
The Anthropology Museum
The two-story building of the White place, constructed during the Qajar dynasty, was used for the administration purposes by the times’ chancellor and prime minister. Today, the first floor houses the administrative section, Golestan Palace library (offering old manuscripts), and an exhibition hall. On the second floor, you will find statues of women and men wearing rural clothing from different areas in Iran.
Basic Info:
Golestan Palace Opening Hours:
Spring and summer: 9:30 – 18:30
Fall and winter: 9:00 – 17:00
Golestan Palace Entrance Fee: 500,000 IR Rials (Golestan Palace Ticket Price for every section vary.)
Golestan Palace Address: Tehran District 12 Panzdah-e-Khordad St Fifth Khordad Avenue Arg Sqr.
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