Golestan Palace

The Golestan Palace (Persian: کاخ گلستان, romanized: Kākh-e Golestān) is the former official royal Qajar complex in Tehran, Iran. One of the oldest historic monuments in the capital and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Golestan Palace consists of a group of eight palatial royal structures surrounded by a wall, today used mainly as museums, surrounded by an outer wall, which were once enclosed within the defensive walls of Tehran's citadel. Most of the royal buildings date back to the 19th century and display a collection of Iranian and European crafts and gifts from the 18th to the 20th century. History The origin of the Tehran's royal citadel can be traced to 6 July 1404, when Ruy González de Clavijo, the envoy of Henry III of Castile, traveled to Samarkand to meet with Timur, the founder of the Timurid dynasty, 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, which was later transformed by changes to the old buildings and the addition of new ones. The beginning of the royal citadel can be traced back to the time of Suleiman I (r. 1666–1694), with the construction of a palace in the Chenaristan area, a divan-khane where Soltan Hoseyn (r. 1694–1727) met with the Ottoman government's ambassador, Ahmad Dari Effendi, in the last year of his reign. Tehran's arg (citadel) was built during the reign of Tahmasp I (r. 1524–1576) of the Safavid dynasty (1502–1736). 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. At the end of the Safavid era, Tehran was sometimes the temporary seat of the Safavid shahs' court. The palace was later renovated by Karim Khan of the Zand dynasty (r. 1750–1779). Agha Mohammad Khan of the Qajar dynasty (1742–1797) chose Tehran as his capital. The arg became the seat of the Qajars (1794–1925) and the court and palace of Golestan became their official residence. The palace was rebuilt to its current form in 1865 by Haji Ab ol Hasan Mimar Navai. 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 coronation of Reza Shah in 1926 and the coronation of 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. He believed that historic Qajar palaces should not hinder the growth of a modern city. In the place of the old buildings, commercial buildings in the modern style of the 1950s and 1960s were erected. In March 2026, during the 2026 Iran war, the palace suffered major damages when shockwaves and debris hit the complex damaging windows, doors and mirrors after an US-Israeli air strike targeting the nearby Arg Square, prompting UNESCO to express their concern regarding protection of historical sites. Sites 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. 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. 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 (r. 1848–1896) 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. The coronation of Reza Shah in 1926 and the coronation of Mohammad Reza Pahlavi in 1967 were held in this hall. 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 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. Museum of Gifts This building is located under the Salam Hall. Abyaz Palace The Abyaz Palace was completed in 1883 to exhibit Ottoman gifts. Its construction was under the direct supervision of Naser al-Din Shah Qajar and the structure was designed by the shah himself. The building is an example of neo-baroque architecture and used to feature impressive displays such as Louis XVI living room decors, velvet curtains, gold and bronze statues and Turkish rugs. The external white façade of the building led to it gradually being called “Abyaz” (White). 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. Restoration 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. 2026 Iran war: An attack carried out jointly by Israel and the United States on 2 March 2026 caused heavy damage due to a shockwave from a nearby air strike. Masonry fell and caused damage, and some mirrors in the Hall of Mirrors were shattered. Heritage status 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 See also Ferdows Garden Baharestan Palace Morvarid Palace References Further reading Mahdizadeh, Sara; Walker, Stephen; Karimian, Zahra; Rajendran, Lakshmi (2022). "Royal Gardens in Republican Iran: a case study of the Golestan Palace Garden, Tehran". Landscape History. 42 (2): 119–137. doi:10.1080/01433768.2022.2143752. S2CID 254275814. External links Official website of Golestan Palace Archived 2006-08-25 at the Wayback Machine More details about Golestan Palace Images of the Golestan Palace marbles, Iran Journal of Architecture, No. 14, October 2004. Photos from Golestan Palace Farnāz Khatibi, The First Museum of Iran, Jadid Online, 2008 (in Persian). A slide show, by Amin Āzād and Farnāz Khatibi, Jadid Online, 2008. (4 min 54 sec). Information and pictures of Golestan Palace (in Persian) Horsham Museum with collections database access