Golestan Palace - Tehran
History
Golestan Palace is a collection of many royal buildings in Tehran. The very first castle (arg) on this site was built by Tahmasb I (Safavid dynasty) in the 16th century. Later, Karim Khan Zand and Agha Mohammad Khan Qajar renovated and added more buildings to this site.
The Qajar chose Tehran as their capital thus making the Golestan Palace official residence of the royal Qajar family. The current palace was built around 1865 and each building requires a separate ticket to visit (bought from the ticket office). Nasser al-Din Shah (r 1848–96) built this Palace of Flowers (Golestan Palace) that included offices, ministries and private living quarters.
The Marble Throne
Building of Marble Throne is located opposite the ticket office and walking along the long pool one comes face to face with the Marble Throne (Takht e Marmar). The Marble Throne, was built in 1806 by order of Fath Ali Shah of Qajar (r. 1797-1834).
Takht e Marmar is surrounded by paintings, marble-carvings, tile-work, stucco, mirrors, enamel, woodcarvings and lattice windows. The Qajar royals would use this section of arg to hold coronations and other ceremonies. The throne is supported by human figures and constructed from 65 pieces of yellow alabaster mined in Yazd.
Khalvat-e Karim Khani
The building next to the Marble Throne is known as Khalvat-e Karim Khani (Karim Khan Nook). This building was constructed in 1759 and it was also the part of the private quarters of Karim Khan Zand. Nasser al Din Shah was fond of this corner of the Golestan Palace and he spent much of his time here. The grave of Nasser al Din Shah is at the place where he used to enjoy his free time. A marble tombstone is built on a terrace with a small pond and a fountain in the middle.
Khalvat e Karim Khani is smaller than the Marble Throne room but it has very bright colours and low ceiling to add to it’s beauty. A dried pond (also known as Pond House) is in the middle. A larger pond was built in front of the Khalvat e Karim Khani where water would roll from the terrace.
Salam Hall and Negar Khaneh
Negar Khane Art museum is next to the Khalvat e Karim Khani. This section of the palace holds a collection of Qajar-era art. Salam Hall (Talar e Salam) is a reception hall which was built as a museum but later it was changed into a Reception Hall. Gallery or Negar Khaneh houses some of the art works but original work can be found in other museums.
During the Pahlavi era (1925-1979) Golestan Palace was used for formal royal receptions and the Pahlavi dynasty built their own palace at Niavaran. Some parts of the palace were destroyed in the Pahlavi period and the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Finance was built in their place.
In between 1925 and 1945 a large portion of the buildings of the palace were destroyed on the orders of Reza Shah who believed that the centuries old Qajar palace should not hinder the growth of a modern city. At present, Golestan Palace is the result of roughly 400 years construction and renovations.
