A Glimpse Of The Beauty Of Beiglarbegi or Fathabad Garden in Kerman, A Garden Remaining From Prince Mahan of the Qajar Era + video.

Sunday, February 09, 2025  Read time6 min

Saed News: Fathabad Garden and Mansion, named after the former owner of Beiglarbegi Garden, is located in Kerman city. The garden is situated in the Ekhtiyarabad area, 25 kilometers from the city center.

A Glimpse Of The Beauty Of Beiglarbegi or Fathabad Garden in Kerman, A Garden Remaining From Prince Mahan of the Qajar Era + video.

Saed News: Fathabad Garden and Mansion, also known as the Beiglarbegi Garden, is a historical garden from the Qajar era and one of the notable tourist attractions in Kerman. It was registered as a national monument of Iran on February 1, 2003. This garden once had great prosperity, so much so that its architectural style became the model for the construction of the UNESCO World Heritage site, the Prince Mahan Garden. Currently, Fathabad Garden has been restored, and its tree-lined paths, large pool, beautiful night lighting, and various facilities like restaurants and tea houses have made it a favorite spot for many tourists.

Where is Fathabad Garden in Kerman? Fathabad Garden and Mansion is located in the Ekhtiyarabad region of Kerman, 25 kilometers from the city center. To reach the garden, head towards Jomhouri Boulevard. After passing through that and Havanirouz Boulevard, you’ll see the grand mansion of Fathabad Garden gleaming in the distance.

Address: Kerman Province, 25 kilometers from the center of Kerman, Ekhtiyarabad

Introduction to Fathabad Garden in Kerman Fathabad Garden, also known as Beiglarbegi Garden, is a beautiful and prosperous garden built by Fazl Ali Khan Beiglarbegi, the ruler of Kerman. The construction of this garden dates back to 1835 during the reign of Mohammad Shah Qajar and was completed in five years. Later rulers of Kerman used the garden for relaxation and leisure. This historical site is part of the endowments of Rostam Khan Amiri, a descendant of Fazl Ali Khan Beiglarbegi.

In recent years, the complex has been restored. Although Fathabad Garden is considered a part of the waqf properties in Kerman, its restoration was supervised by the Cultural Heritage Organization.

Fathabad Garden is not only beautiful by day but also at night, thanks to its stunning lighting. This historical site was listed as a National Monument of Iran in 2003.

Architecture and Different Parts of Fathabad Garden The area of Fathabad Garden spans 13 hectares, and the building's total area is 1,500 square meters. The garden includes various sections, such as the main building, the Governor’s Museum, a painting room, the Four Seasons Mansion, the southern buildings of the main mansion, medicinal plant cultivation areas, and an outdoor courtyard.

Main Mansion Upon entering Fathabad Mansion, you will first encounter a large pool, and the reflection of the main mansion on the water is truly captivating. The mansion is located at the northern end of the garden and has two floors, with arcades on both sides and rooms with three and five windows. The building is made of raw clay bricks and mortar, covered with a layer of plaster. Inside, there are beautiful plasterworks, crafted by skilled artisans. Above the main entrance, there are openings that once held magnifying glasses to light the rooms by reflecting the lamps' light.

Governor's Museum If you are interested in history, this room will take you on a historical journey through Kerman. This section of the garden is dedicated to the Governor’s Museum, which showcases biographies and images of previous rulers of Kerman.

Painting Room The painting room, located in the main mansion, was once the residence of the Kerman ruler. The walls are adorned with exquisite paintings done with gold ink.

Four Seasons Mansion The Four Seasons Mansion is located 30 meters to the east of the main mansion. It is a single-story building with a central dome and columned porches, featuring beautiful brickwork and plaster decoration.

Water Pool The flow of qanat water through the center of this luxurious garden and the presence of the Four Seasons Mansion, the central mansion, and the tower and walls have created a beautiful and joyful space. The water pool is a key feature of ancient Iranian gardens and is evident in Fathabad Garden as well. Water played an important role in the formation of the garden, and its absence caused the destruction of the garden and mansion.

Medicinal Plant Cultivation Areas Kerman is famous for its medicinal plants, which are one of the main souvenirs of the province. During the restoration of Fathabad Garden, part of the garden was designated for cultivating medicinal plants to make use of the surrounding land and generate income for the complex. Today, Fathabad Garden hosts the largest medicinal plant cultivation center in the country, with a plant diversity unmatched elsewhere.

Best Time to Visit Fathabad Garden The best time to visit Kerman and Fathabad Garden is from early May to late June, when the weather is pleasant. Most visitors choose the colder months for travel, with the coldest months being December and January. If you can tolerate the cold, seeing the Beiglarbegi Mansion covered in snow is a delightful experience.

Fathabad Garden is also one of the best places for a night visit due to its stunning lighting.

Restoration of Fathabad Garden In the past, Fathabad Garden was a gathering place for addicts and troublemakers, and it had fallen into ruins. However, after a visit by the Kerman governor, a special order was issued for its restoration, marking the first significant step towards its revival.

Alireza Razm Hosseini, the then governor of Kerman, mentioned during his visit: "This garden is 180 years old, and when I first visited, a bulldozer was present to demolish part of this historical site. When we asked the person attempting the demolition about the reason, it turned out he thought the bricks from the structure would be suitable for agricultural land, so he planned to transfer them to his farm."

Fortunately, after the restoration efforts, Fathabad Garden has become one of the most beautiful gardens in Iran, captivating every visitor. The qanat that was once dry has been revitalized through the construction of a well, installation of a water desalination system, and implementation of the water-friendly project.

The restoration also led to the creation of a center that holds significant historical importance and has become a place for research, agriculture, and recreation. The garden now houses 400 species of medicinal plants from Kerman Province, making it a valuable botanical resource for the country.

Other restoration activities included strengthening the entire structure, stabilizing the columns, foundation work, roof renovation, greenhouse restoration, pond repairs, fountain designs, and more.

Facilities at Fathabad Garden Fathabad Garden offers various amenities for visitors, including a restaurant, juice bar, and tea house. These places serve a variety of dishes, herbal drinks, aromatic plants, traditional Kerman falooda, and special ice creams. Outside, there are benches where visitors can enjoy the garden’s atmosphere.

The garden also features wooden gazebos known as "Kapr" in local dialect, where visitors can relax. Additionally, there are souvenir shops selling handicrafts and medicinal plant products.

An interesting feature of the complex is the ability to host seminars, official meetings, family gatherings, student events, and birthday parties at the Four Seasons Mansion, which also offers private parking for guests.

It is even possible to stay at the garden, with rooms in the main building, Four Seasons Mansion, or regular rooms available for rent, depending on your budget.

Visitor Information for Fathabad Garden The garden is open from 9 AM to 8 PM. However, due to the ongoing COVID-19 situation, it’s recommended to contact the site beforehand to confirm opening hours.

There is an entrance fee to visit Fathabad Garden, which was 5,000 Toman in 2021.

Many historical buildings in the country have been destroyed due to negligence or poor management, but Fathabad Garden has regained its splendor through restoration. When visiting, please be mindful of preserving this precious historical site.

Food, vehicles, and pets are not allowed inside the garden.

Since there are no buses or taxis directly to the garden, if you don't have a private car, you will need to hire a taxi or private vehicle to reach the location.

It is best to visit the mansion during sunset or at night when the lighting enhances the garden’s beauty.