Chehel Sotoun Palace

Chehel Sotoon Palace

The Safavid era is the age of renewed prosperity and glory of Iran, a dynasty that was considered the most powerful one in the world at the peak of its power during the time of Shah Abbas the Great.

The capital of this powerful government was the city of Isfahan and the flagship of the royal gardens of this city was Chehel Sotoun Palace, which Shah Abbas I (the Great) started its construction and Shah Abbas II finished. This palace, which witnessed the reception of the ambassadors of the European countries in the presence of the Safavid kings, is considered one of the unique architectural examples of the Safavid Golden Age. The most important feature of this building, which has made it a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is having elements of Persian Gardens. Persian Gardens have 3 characteristics like being located along the river, being surrounded by high walls and having a mansion with a pool in front of it.

When and By Whom Was Chehel Sotoun Palace Built?

In order to turn Isfahan into a symbol of the centralized power of Iran, Shah Abbas I put the construction of royal gardens with royal palaces on the agenda. These gardens were all connected and thus formed a large area. Meanwhile, Chehel Sotoun Garden was considered suitable for the construction the palace with an area of nearly 7 hectares. Therefore, he ordered Sheikh Baha'I, the best engineer of the Safavid era, to start the project. He completed the first kushk (pavilion) of Chehel Sotoun. After Shah Abbas I, Shah Abbas II completed the structure by adding a number of other buildings to the original pavilion. From that time on, repeated repairs have taken place on it while this building was deliberately neglected during Qajar era. Finally, it was inscribed by UNESCO as one of the examples of Persian Gardens in 2011.

Different Parts of Palace and its Architectural Features

Chehel Sotoun Palace is made up of different parts including Palace pool, stone lions, King's palace, Main hall, South pillared porch, Hall of mirrors and Museum. Chelston architecture should be considered an eclectic architecture because elements of Chinese, Islamic, Iranian and European architecture can be seen in it, with the spirit of Iranian-Islamic architecture. The main porch has 20 columns, with the 4 central columns placed on a base with a lion stone statue. From the mouth of these 4 lions, water flows into the marble pool of the porch and the columns are made of pine and plane trees.

In different parts of the main hall, there are paintings such as the battle of Ismail I with Muhammad Shaybani, the battle of Nader Shah and Muhammad Shah Mughal in Karnal, and Ismail I in the Battle of Chaldoran about important events of the Safavid and Afshariya periods. The painting of the walls, the gilding of the ceiling and Muqarnas of the hall enchant the eyes. Interestingly, if you stand in the center of the Hall of Mirrors, you will see an endless view of yourself in four directions.

Why Do We Call it Chehel Sotoun(Forty Columns)?

The main porch of the palace has 18 columns and the Hall of Mirrors also has 2 columns; it is called Chehel Sotoun (40 columns) because of the reflection of these 20 columns in the pool located in front of the mansion.

Chehel Sotoun Palace and Persian Garden are a unique combination to surprise you. Be sure to visit Isfahan !!!

Tags: Isfahan Province, Chehel Sotoun Palace, Isfahan Attractions, UNESCO World Heritage Sites, Palaces in Iran, Iran Historical Attractions, Persian Gardens

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