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Golestan Palace
Former official royal Qajar complex in Tehran, Iran From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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The Golestan Palace (Persian: کاخ گلستان, Kākh-e Golestān), also transliterated as the Gulistan Palace[1] and sometimes translated as the Rose Garden Palace from Persian language,[1][2] was built in the 16th century, renovated in the 18th century and finally rebuilt in 1865. It is the former official royal Qajar complex in Tehran.
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One of the oldest historic monuments in the city of Tehran, and a UNESCO World Heritage Site,[3] the Golestan Palace belongs to a group of royal buildings that were once enclosed within the mud-thatched walls of Tehran's arg ("citadel"). It consists of gardens, royal buildings, and collections of Iranian crafts and European gifts from the 18th and 19th centuries.[3]
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History
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The origin of the Tehran's royal citadel can be traced back to 6 July 1404; when Ruy González de Clavijo, the envoy of Enrique III, traveled to Samarkand to meet with Timur, and he chose to stay at the house of Baba Sheikh (one of the elders of Tehran). It is believed that his house was located in the area of the royal citadel and later they were transformed into new buildings with changes.[4] The beginning of the royal citadel can be traced back to the time of Suleiman I,[5] with the construction of a palace in the Chenaristan area, a Divankhane where Soltan Hoseyn in the last year of his reign meet with the Ottoman government's ambassador, Ahmad Dari Effendi. Tehran's arg ("citadel") was built during the reign of Tahmasp I (r. 1524–1576) of the Safavid dynasty (1502–1736).[6] Abbas the Great built a large garden in the northern part of the fence, which was later surrounded by a high wall and buildings were built, with the royal residence was built inside it.[5] At the end of the Safavid era, Tehran was sometimes the temporary seat of the Safavid shahs' court.[7] The palace was later renovated by Karim Khan of the Zand dynasty (r. 1750–1779).[8] Agha Mohammad Khan of the Qajar dynasty (1742–1797) chose Tehran as his capital.[9] The arg became the seat of the Qajars (1794–1925). The court and palace of Golestan became the official residence of the Qajar dynasty. The palace was rebuilt to its current form in 1865 by Haji Ab ol Hasan Mimar Navai.[10]
During the Pahlavi era (1925–1979), the Golestan Palace was used for formal receptions. The Pahlavi dynasty built their own palaces in the Niavaran and Sa'dabad palace complexes. The most important ceremonies held in the palace during the Pahlavi era were the coronations of Reza Shah in 1926[11] and Mohammad Reza Shah and Shahbanu Farah in 1967. Between 1925 and 1945, a large portion of the buildings of the complex were destroyed by the order of Reza Shah.[12] He believed that historic Qajar palaces should not hinder the growth of a modern city. In the place of the old buildings, commercial buildings with the modern style of the 1950s and 1960s were erected.
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Sites
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The Golestan Palace Complex consists of 17 structures, including palaces, museums, and halls. Almost all of this complex was built during the 131 year rule of the Qajar dynasty.[13] These palaces were used for many occasions such as coronations and other important celebrations. It also consists of three main archives, including the photographic archive, the library of manuscripts, and the archive of documents.[14]
Marble Throne (Takht-e Marmar)
This terrace, known as the Marble Throne, was built in 1747-1751.
Karim Khani Nook (Khalvat-e Karim Khani)
Dating back to 1759, this building was a part of the interior residence of Karim Khan of the Zand dynasty. The basic structure of the Karim Khani Nook is similar to the Marble Throne. Like the latter, it is a terrace. 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. Water from a subterranean stream (the shah's qanat) flowed from the fountain into the pond and was later used to irrigate the palace grounds.
Naser al-Din Shah Qajar was fond of this corner of the Golestan Palace.
Pond House (Howz Khaneh)
The Pond House was used as a summer chamber during the Qajar era. Works of European painters presented to the Qajar court are housed there.
Brilliant Hall (Talar-e Brelian)
The Brilliant Hall was built by the order of Naser ed Din Shah. It is named so as it features brilliant Iranian mirror-work called Ayeneh-kari.
Containers' Hall (Talar-e Zoruf)
This building replaced the building of Narenjestan in the north of the Ivory Hall (Talar-e Adj).
Ivory Hall (Talar-e Adj)
Ivory Hall is a large hall used as a dining room. It was decorated with some gifts presented to Naser ed Din Shah by European monarchs.
Mirror Hall (Talar-e Aineh)
The Mirror Hall is a relatively small hall designed by Haj Abd ol Hossein Memar Bashi (Sanie ol Molk).
Salam Hall (Talar-e Salam)
The Salam ("Reception") Hall was originally designed to be a museum.
Diamond Hall (Talar-e Almas)
The Diamond Hall is located in the southern wing of the Golestan Palace, next to the Windcatcher Mansion.
The Windcatcher Mansion (Emarat-e Badgir)
The Windcatcher Mansion
One of the Windcatchers
The Windcatcher Mansion was constructed during the reign of Fath-Ali Shah Qajar. The building underwent major renovations, including structural changes, during the reign of Naser ed Din Shah.
Edifice of the Sun (Shams-ol-Emareh)
The Edifice of the Sun was designed by Moayer ol Mamalek. Construction on this building began in 1865 and was completed in two years. A clock presented by Queen Victoria to Naser al-Din Shah and mounted atop the building was repaired in 2012.[15]
Museum of Gifts
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This building is located under the Salam Hall.
Abyaz Palace
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The Qajar monarch had the Abyaz Palace constructed.
Museum Hall
The original collection of the Museum Hall is now scattered among Tehran's many museums.
Photographic archive
There is an early photographic collection at the Golestan complex which includes photos which 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. 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.[16]
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Restoration
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Between 2007 and 2021, a series of restoration projects were undertaken to address structural vulnerabilities, material degradation, and to revive the palace's aesthetic grandeur. These interventions adhered to principles of minimal intervention, reversibility, and compatibility with original materials.
- Marble Throne Veranda (Takht-e Marmar): Conservation efforts included meticulous cleaning and consolidation of stone elements. The wooden canopy was treated with boron-based biocides to mitigate biological decay. Salt crystallization at the base was addressed through poulticing techniques.
- Shams-ol-Emareh: Structural cracks were repaired using lime-based mortars, and corroded iron beams were replaced with stainless steel supports to enhance load-bearing capacity. Damaged mirror mosaics were restored by skilled artisans employing traditional methods and reversible adhesives.
- Tile Restoration: Original Qajar tiles underwent cleaning with neutral pH solutions and were consolidated using silicate-based treatments to prevent flaking and further deterioration.
- Hall of Mirrors (Talar-e Ayeneh): Restoration focused on stabilizing mirror work using nano-lime for degraded backing plaster and reversible epoxy resins for mosaic stabilization.
- HVAC and Drainage Systems: Modern climate control and drainage systems were discreetly installed to manage humidity and condensation issues, ensuring the preservation of sensitive materials without compromising the palace's historical integrity.
Considerations
The restoration projects were guided by internationally recognized conservation principles:
- Minimal Intervention: Interventions were limited to what was necessary to preserve the structure and materials, avoiding unnecessary replacements.
- Reversibility: Materials and methods used were chosen to allow future removal without damaging the original fabric.
- Material Compatibility: Traditional materials such as lime, stucco, and native tiles were utilized to ensure physical and chemical compatibility with existing structures.
- Distinguishability: Modern additions, including structural supports, were designed to be visually distinguishable from original elements, maintaining historical authenticity
Ongoing challenges
Despite significant progress, several challenges persist:
- Urban Pollution: The palace's location exposes it to high levels of pollution, contributing to material degradation.
- Climate Factors: Seasonal humidity and temperature fluctuations exacerbate issues like salt efflorescence and biological colonization.
- Public Engagement: There is a need for enhanced public engagement and education to foster appreciation and support for ongoing conservation efforts.
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Present use
On 11 October 2005, the Cultural Heritage Organization of Iran submitted the palace to the UNESCO for inclusion into the World Heritage List in 2007. On 23 June 2013, it was proclaimed a world heritage site during the UNESCO meeting at Phnom Penh.
The Golestan Palace is currently operated by the Cultural Heritage Organization of Iran.
Gallery
The Windcatcher Mansion
Karim Khani Nook
Stairs leading up to the Salam Hall
The ceiling of the Windcatcher Mansion
A pool
The Marble Throne
Tombstone of Naser al-Din Shah Qajar
The ceiling of Salam Hall
Tilings 1
Tilings 2
Tilings 3
Tilings 4
Tilings 5
Tilings 6
Tilings on the walls
Tilings 7
Tilings on the Karim Khani Nook
Tilings on the palace
Tilings 8
Tilings on the Shams-ol-Emareh palace
Tilings 9
The Ivory Hall (Talar-e Adj)
Tilings in the Karim Khani Nook
The map of Golestan Palace
Containers' Hall (Talar-e Zoruf)
The Salam Hall
The Mirror Hall (Talar-e Aineh)
Museum Hall
Naser al-Din Shah on the steps of the Sun Throne at the Mirror Hall
Stone inscription of the Brilliant Hall from the reign of Mozaffar ad-Din Shah Qajar
The map of Golestan palace, 1931
The crown of Agha Mohammad Khan Qajar
The tilings of the Museum Mansion
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See also
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Golestan Palace.
References
Further reading
External links
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