Golestan palace | A masterpiece in the heart of Tehran

Golestan palace, located in the center of Tehran between the modern disharmonious buildings of the modern city like a goddess. The foundation returns to Safavid era with a boulevard plan, which we can’t see today; but the buildings were built during Zand dynasty, started with a building known as “library of Golestan palace”.

Since July 2, 2013, we can see the name of Golestan palace UNESCO Human Heritage list.

Buildings of Golestan palace

Golestan palace involves many buildings that even some of them have been destroyed; like “Takyye Dolat” located in south west of Golestan palace which was a place for miracle-play during Qajar dynasty.

Among the buildings we see in this magnificent complex we can mention: Edifice of the Sun (Shams ol Emareh), Marble Throne (Takht e Marmar), Diamond Hall (Talar e Almas), Mirror Hall (Talar e Aineh), Museum Hall, Karim Khani Nook (Khalvat e Karim Khani), Building of Windcatchers (Emarat e Badgir).

Edifice of the Sun (Shams ol Emareh)

A well-known building located in eastern part of Golestan palace. It was built in 5 floors with 35 meters height with a taste of western architecture. When Naser al-Din Shah Qajar saw buildings in foreign countries, decided to build Shams ol Emareh, which was the tallest building in Tehran and also the first building which steel structures were used in it.

The Clock used in the building was a gift from queen Victoria. The bell of it didn’t work for about 100 years, when finally during the renovating in 2013, it was repaired and broke this long silence.

Mirror Hall (Talar e Aineh)

Mirror hall, located in the western part of Golestan palace, built and embellished by Sani ol Molk. It took eight years to complete this magnificent building which is more often known by the painting, painted by Iranian great artist, Kamal ol Molk.

It took five years to complete the “Mirror Hall” painting; and the man sitting in the center is actually Naser al-Din Shah Qajar.

The southern part of the hall opens to the Golestan garden with three beautiful windows. It also has two doors and a window towards the building.

Museum Hall

Museum Hall (Talar e Salam) is the biggest hall of Golestan complex; and the architecture of this hall is Sani-ol molk.

It is used as museum these days and most of Kamal ol Molk’s paintings and many other precious traces are kept in this hall.

The hall was used for official formalities during Pahlavi dynasty and both Mohammadreza Pahlavi and Farah Pahlavi were crowned here.

Karim Khani Nook (Khalvat e Karim Khani)

It is located on the side of Museum Hall in north west of Golestan palace. You can see a pond in the center of the building.

It’s said that this part of the complex was Naser al-Din Shah’s favourite and he used to rest and smoke hookah here; maybe that’s the reason of putting his tombstone there after Iran’s 1979 revolution.

The second thing that attract our attention is Fath-Ali Shah’s throne which was moved during the renovation of the palace in Pahlavi dynasty from it’s original place.