Persian garden, One of the Persian arts which influenced from the east to the west, from Taj-Mahal in India to Alhambra/Andalusia in Spain.
So, why is the Persian Garden specific? What does it look like? Plan a trip to see Iranian gardens.
You might have already heard of Persian Gardens but to visit and feel them is quite something else. Enlisted in UNESCO World Heritage, Persian Gardens consist of nine gardens dispersed in several cities such as Eram Garden, Shiraz or Dolat-Abad Garden, Yazd. Generally, the Persian garden symbolizes the Garden of Eden as well as sky, earth, water and plants, the four Zoroastrian elements. It is a significant interchange of human heritages and a reference for western Asia, Arabian countries and Europe.
Historically speaking, the first Persian garden dates back to Achaemenid period when Cyrus the Great designed and built Pasargadae, 6th century B.C. During Sassanid era, these gardens were constructed in front of palaces and temples and this trend continued in the Islamic period, as well. The garden design includes four sectors known as “Chahar Bagh ( four Garden)” with water playing a crucial role both in watering and embellishment. They are a reflection of the legendary sense of nature, and the universal order for the ancient Iranian people. As they are intended to persist in specific weather conditions, trees and plants have been arranged properly and also the visitors will see an appropriate choice of flora as soon as they get in there.
The plan of this paradise garden is an evidence of Iranian intelligence thousand years ago in broad fields of knowledge such as architecture, irrigation engineering, plant life and agriculture. These factors together have created such an atmosphere that the pictures of Persian garden could have penetrate into literature, poetry, calligraphy, music and carpet designs. It has also employed natural and human elements and has intertwined prominent achievements of Persian culture with a physical and symbolic artistic expression in accord with nature.
It is also connected to cultural development of universal heritage including poetry by Sa’adi, Hafez and Ferdowsi and is as well a source of inspiration for Persian carpets and miniature paintings.
Iran Traveling Center is proud of arranging Persian Garden Tours and visits for the architecture and nature enthusiasts.
Where are Persian gardens located in Iran?
Pasargadae Persian Garden
The Mother of Persian Gardens
Pasargadaewas the first capital of the Achaemenid Empire. It is about an hour and a half driving from Shiraz, Fars Province. This architectural construction with its gardens and buildings is the first symbol of combined art of various architectural elements of ancient civilizations and the unique characteristic of Achaemenid art. One of the special aspects of Pasargadae complex is the royal garden and its palaces. In Pasargadae, the Iranian garden is built with all the essential features of its architecture. Concentration on religious elements and their conceptual usage in architectural structures, the geometric pattern of the garden along with the pavilion and water pipes inside the Pasargadae gardens, the appropriate distribution of water within the complex and the combination of architectural elements and structures with Nature are what make this garden the mother of Iranian gardening. In other words, Pasargadae gardens and its palaces are masterpieces and the prototype for “Chahr Bagh” which display creativity and artistic authenticity of Iranian artists.
Eram Persian Garden Shiraz
The Four-season Botanical Garden
Shiraz is home to the fascinating Eram garden which shows up differently in every season during a year. Moreover, it is the botanical garden of city due to the variation of plants. With its well-designed paths with beautiful trees on both sides, Eram garden is a great place for nature lovers. If you are into flowers and plants, this garden is a great place for you to stroll through. When you enter the garden, you will see a long arranged path of famous Shirazi cedar trees on your left side. In addition, the combination of palm trees with beautiful greenery provides a different environment for visitors.
Fin Persian garden Kashan
A Peerless Model of Persian Garden
Located in Kashan, Fin Garden is one of the most beautiful and famous Iranian gardens which is considered as a perfect example of Iranian gardening. Since long time ago, the Fin region has been the center of attention for rulers and kings because of its bracing springs. The architecture of this garden is a combination of natural elements such as water and trees and architectural elements like various buildings. Fin Garden is one of the most important models of Persian garden that has been living since the Safavid Era. Water is an essential element in the design of Fin garden. It exists in various forms including stagnant, flowing, erupting and boiling ones. As you enter the Garden, its unique spectacle will fascinate you to the extent that you will miss the time. Among these towering trees, you will see short and tall fountains while the sound of water, passing through the garden’s cobblestones, mesmerizes you.
Dowlat-Abad Persian garden Yazd
Embracing the Tallest Winding Lane in the World
With its towering badgir (wind-catcher) which is standing over 33 meters, Dowlat Abad Garden is located in Yazd, the central desert-like city of Iran. It is built about 1750. Apart from the magnificent garden, the interior place of this pavilion is extraordinary with the latticework and the stained-glass windows. At the time of its construction, a 65-kilometer tunnel was dug in order to carry water from Mehriz to the garden. Dolat-Abad garden is really worth visiting because you wonder how there could be such a wonderful garden full of water at the heart of desert.
Shazdeh Persian Garden Mahan
A Transmission to another Planet
Built during 19th century (Qajar era), Shazdeh garden is called “a wonder” by many visitors. The first moment you are in the arid desert, the next you find yourself amid tall green trees and cascading qanat water. It is located in Mahan, Kerman Province where the garden has made the most of its surrounding natural condition. The presence of fertile soil, sunshine, breeze and the access to qanat water have made it possible to create a garden on this scale in a miraculously dry and waterless context.
Abbas Abad Persian Garden Behshahr
The most important Non-Deserted Iranian Garden
Abbas Abad historical garden is one of the ancient monuments in Mazandaran province, located on the Alborz Mountains, 2 kilometers from Behshahr city. Abbasabad natural lake has an area of over 2 hectares at the center of which rests this four-arched brick garden, despite the fact that there is no brick stairs inside or around the construction. This garden is one of the most important and largest historical gardens of Iran which was built by order of King Abbas I of Safavid and includes a garden, a lake, a bath, etc. The architecture in the garden and the gardening has been done symmetrically with the music of water that has made it amazing.
Chehel Sotoun Persian Garden Isfahan
The Most Blessed Construction in the World
Chehel Sotoun (forty columns) Garden-Palace is one of the royal gardens left from the Safavid period in Isfahan. The name of the garden is taken from its 20 columns the reflection of which in the front pool double the number. In fact, this garden is a small part of a vaster garden, called Jahan-Nama, ordered by King Abbas I. One of the most important features of Chehel Sotoun Palace is the beautiful paintings of the Safavid era that show the wonderful Iranian miniature style on the walls of the palace. Each of them depicts a period of historical events during Safavid time. The artworks of this place, include mirrors, paintings and woodwork, illustrating the elaborate art of Iranian artists.
Akbarieh Persian garden Birjand
The Top Attraction of Birjand
Built during late Zand and early Qajar period, Akbarieh Garden was constructed adjacent the qanat and the slopes of Mount Bagheran, under the order of Ali Akbar Khan Khazimeh. The special architecture of the Akbarieh Mansion is one of the most unique architectures that you will not find anywhere in the world. Turkish architecture and the application of Russian architecture to some extent and the combination of the two with Islamic one have given this historical building a very special form. Today, the Akbarieh Garden is not just a garden left over from history, but it has many different parts to visit including Birjand Archaeological Museum, Anthropological Museum, Khorasan Museum of Culture and Dolls as well as the Museum of Fame.
Pahlavanpour Persian Garden Mehriz/Yazd
A Legacy from Qajar Era
Located in Mehriz, Yazd Province, Pahlavanpour Garden has embraced a small but splendid pavilion that was built during late Qajar time. Similar to Shazdeh Garden, it is a green diamond in the middle of desert. The first thing that strokes your spirit as you enter the Pahlavanpur Garden is the sound of water that flows through the garden’s main stream. There are old and elevated plane trees stand alongside the stream. The water actually originates from a qanat called “Hasan-Abad”. The water of qanat, which used to water the surrounding plane trees, does not cross any of the other gardens in the area and leads only to the Pahlavanpur Garden making it one of the most spectacular places to be worth visiting in Iran.
