Chehel Sotun Palace
Chehel Sotun Palace is a remarkable royal reception hall in Isfahan, showcasing a classic Persian garden that has earned its place on UNESCO’s world heritage list. The palace’s exquisite mirror decorations, captivating wall paintings, and enchanting terrace make it truly appealing.
History
Dating back to the first half of the 17th century, Chehel Sotun Palace in Isfahan was originally constructed and evolved under the reign of Shah Abbas the Great and Shah Abbas II. However, it had to undergo rebuilding after a fire in 1706.
Description
Chehel Sotun Palace, a UNESCO-listed iconic Persian garden in Isfahan, once served as a reception hall for royal foreign guests and a pleasure pavilion. The garden’s key elements, such as the shade-providing line of trees, exquisite buildings of diverse styles, and charming pools, exemplify the essence of Persian gardens found across different regions, adapting to varying climate conditions while preserving their fundamental elements.
At Chehel Sotun Palace, a captivating pavilion surrounded by trees and a front-facing pool stands as a masterpiece, symbolizing the harmony between human values and nature. This amalgamation of Persian culture and architecture with nature creates a serene atmosphere, characteristic of Persian gardens like Chehel Sotun, where the pool plays a crucial role in beautifying the garden and providing irrigation for the trees and plants. The pool’s corners adorned with stylized lions, a royal symbol, add to its allure.
Upon passing through the refreshing garden, one is greeted by the magnificent palace. The enchanting entrance seamlessly links the alluring garden to the fascinating interior. Graceful wooden ceilings of the entrance rest on 20 exquisitely decorated pillars, and their reflection in the front pool creates a captivating scenery, inspiring the name “Chehel Sotun,” meaning “40 pillars.”
The influence of Achaemenid architecture and the use of “talar” are prominently displayed in the palace. The Great Hall, a true gem of Persian decorative architecture, boasts historical frescoes, beautiful miniatures, and ornate ceramics adorning its walls and ceiling. Among the frescoes, some are original and date back to the Safavid era, while two others were crafted during the Qajar period. The scenes depict moments of short life and battle scenes, including Shah Ismail’s armies preparing for battle with the Uzbeks, Nader Shah on an Indian battleground, Shah Abbas II welcoming the king of Turkestan with dancers and musicians, as well as portrayals of Shah Abbas I, another Shah Ismail battle, and Shah Tahmasp welcoming an Indian prince. Each scene is filled with intricate details and symbolic representations, leaving visitors amazed.
The palace once featured a famous and spectacular hall adorned with mirrors, iconic Persian architecture, though some parts of it remain to this day.
Visiting Hour
Chehel Sotun Palace welcomes visitors from 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. and during the winter months from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
