Ali Qapu Palace – Isfahan
The Ali Qapu Palace is a former royal palace located on the western side of the Naqsh-e- Jahan Square in Isfahan. The word “Ali” refers to Imam Ali and Qapu comes from the Turkish language meaning “gate” – so the name of this palace means “the Gate of Ali”. However, there is another theory with the name of this palace. In English its’ name is written as Ali Qapu but in Persian it says “Aali” meaning Imperial thus this palace may be referred as “the Imperial Gate”.
Main elevated terrace is one of the most impressive feature of the palace, this palace was built by the Safvaid king Shah Abbas I at the end of the 16th century (1597).
In the model below of the Naqsh-e Jahan Square, the Ali Qapu Palace can be seen on the right side of the model. This palace is 48 meters high and there are seven floors, each accessible by a difficult spiral staircase. Its’ main and the most beautiful terrace is supported by 18 columns. The high ceiling and the slender columns have resemblance to that of Chehel Sotoun, the 18 columns of the hall were covered with mirrors initially.
In the past, beautiful windows and the doors of the palace were looted and taken away. This palace was almost deserted but many renovation has taken palace here and it has turned this place once again into a master piece of the Safavid architecture.
The paintings on the walls were created by Reza Abbasi, the court painter of Shah Abbas I. Many of the valuable paintings and mosaics that once decorated the 52 small rooms, corridors and stairways were destroyed during the Qajar period but only few have survived. On the west side of the fifth floor, this balcony faces to royal gardens, and the palace of Chehel Sotoun.
The Music Hall which is located on the 6th floor and this room was used for private parties and for the king’s musicians. The stucco ceiling is riddled with the shapes of vases and other household utensils cut to enhance the acoustics.
