Eram Garden turns landscape, architecture and history into a single, walkable spectacle — from a thousand-year cypress to a Qajar pavilion carved with tales of kings.
No matter how many times you visit Shiraz, new sights remain to be saved for the next trip. The city’s gardens — from Afif-Abad and Eram to Delgosha and Jahan-Nama — form a celebrated network, and Eram Garden is the crown among them. There are many lesser-known details about this remarkable garden worth knowing before you go; this guide highlights them.
The exact date of Eram Garden’s original construction remains uncertain and even its first founder is not clearly recorded. Travelogues from the 10th and 11th centuries AH mention the garden. Travelers in the Safavid era described Eram as prosperous and splendid, but the garden’s deeper history shows it existed during the Seljuk and Inju periods, and Karim Khan Zand later restored and maintained it.
In the late Zand period the garden belonged to Qashqai tribe leaders. The main structure now standing was built by the first Qashqai khan and his son Mohammad Qoli Khan during the reign of Fath-Ali Shah Qajar.
During Naser al-Din Shah’s reign, Haj Nasir al-Mulk purchased the garden and rebuilt a mansion there based on the earlier layout; the present pavilion is that building, designed by the noted Shirazi architect Haj Mohammad Hassan Khan. Other important works by Nasir al-Mulk remain in Fars, such as Nasir al-Mulk House and Mosque.
Eram Garden later belonged to the Qavami family, was nationalised in the Pahlavi era and subsequently transferred to Shiraz University. Today the botanical gardens are managed by the university’s Faculty of Agriculture and the pavilion is under the Faculty of Law.
The name “Eram” has its own story: it derives from an earlier large garden and mansion said to have been built by Shaddad ibn ‘Ad, an Arabian king who aimed to rival paradise, and so the name “Eram” was applied.
Eram Garden was entered on Iran’s national monuments list in 1353 (Solar Hijri) and underwent restoration in 1358 (Solar Hijri). On 6 Tir 1390 (Solar Hijri) the garden was inscribed during the 35th session of the UNESCO World Heritage Committee.
Eram Garden occupies a rectangular site of about 110,000 square metres. Its long side faces north onto Eram Boulevard, while the shorter side looks west toward Jamjam Boulevard (site of the former triple mill). Historically the boundaries were clay walls, since replaced by low stone walls and railings draped with climbing jasmine and pomegranate vines. Surrounding plots are residential gardens and houses.
The garden contains an exceptionally diverse plant collection; species from across the globe have been planted here, turning the grounds into a living museum of ornamental trees, cypresses, citrus and decorative flowers. Centuries-old cypresses, citrus trees, the large pool before the pavilion and the three-storey pavilion with circular arches are among the first features visitors notice.
One of Eram’s most beautiful elements is the east-to-west promenade visible just left of the main entrance. Both sides of this avenue are lined with majestic cypresses, some centuries old. Among them stands a notably taller, more robust specimen — the so-called thousand-year cypress — reaching about 35 metres and often described as Shiraz’s tallest cypress.
Overall the garden’s trees fall into two groups:
Ornamental trees: cypress, pine, maple, jacaranda, weeping willow, black willow, elm, bīdmeshk (willow-herb), Phoenix palm, poplar and eucalyptus.
Fruit trees: pomegranate, quince, bitter orange, persimmon, walnut, apricot, almond, apple, quince (beh) and pear.
Eram slopes from east to west, placing the pavilion on a raised terrace; tiered water channels and steps compensate for the change in elevation and add to the garden’s beauty. The main historic gate stands on the garden’s northeast side and features notable decorative work.
A broad primary avenue leads toward the main pavilion. In front of the building is a large rectangular pool fitted with a fountain; phoenix palms mark each corner. The pool measures approximately 335 square metres and is paved with 18 large stone slabs. Its water is fed by a channel that originates beneath the pavilion’s cellar. Two wells on the site also serve irrigation.
In the northwest, a small rock-edged pond appears beyond a pathway of large irregular stones; it sits framed by greenery where visitors can sit on rocks and watch carp.
Originally the garden’s plan followed classic Persian garden principles — symmetry, harmonious shapes and straight lines. Later cosmetic restorations introduced non-Iranian elements (for example, some Japanese-style planting) and modifications to the parterre layout altered the geometry in places.
The pavilion sits atop the garden’s highest terrace. It is a three-storey structure with two grand columns inspired by Persepolis and circular arches that mark its façade.
The pavilion is one of the Qajar era’s most distinguished buildings, notable for its oil paintings, stucco work, carvings and tilework. Like other Qajar buildings it draws on Zand and Safavid architectural influences.
The lower floor is the cellar (sardab), designed for cooling in hot summers. The channel that fills the front pool runs through this cellar, helping create the pavilion’s pleasant microclimate. The cellar’s floors and walls are decorated with coloured tiles.
Above the entrance three interlocking arched panels display scenes from the Shahnameh and Qajar royal battles. Another distinguishing feature is the pavilion’s iron lattice windows: three lattice windows face the cellar entrance — a large central window flanked by two smaller round-arched windows that date to the building’s original construction.
Most of the pavilion’s wooden doors are made of teak, which has helped preserve them over time.
Overall, Eram pavilion is an important Qajar artistic ensemble: its oil paintings, carved wooden doors, lattice windows, stone dadoes, muqarnas, plasterwork, tile facades, entrance pediment and stone columns represent notable craftsmanship of the period.
By the late Pahlavi period the garden had fallen into ruin; mud walls had collapsed and the site required major repair. Initial works replaced the earthen walls with low stone walls topped by metal railings.
The pavilion was restored following its original design: the mirror hall, oil paintings on walls and ceilings, and tilework on wall piers were conserved.
Various inscriptions installed during Nasir al-Mulk’s ownership are found throughout the garden. Six marble panels in the pavilion’s eastern façade bear Nastaʿlīq calligraphy and installation dates.
Two round panels on either side of the main iwan depict a Achaemenid soldier holding a spear and mace — an attempt to evoke Persepolis motifs, though lacking the fine detailing of the originals.
Several inlaid tile inscriptions adorn the entrance, adding visual splendor to the pavilion.
The garden is open daily from 08:00 to 20:30.
Admission requires a ticket. Because the garden is managed by Shiraz University, students may be eligible for a discounted rate upon presentation of a valid student card.
Please note the garden is closed on certain religious observances: Tasu’a and Ashura; 21 Ramadan (Martyrdom of Imam Ali); 28 Safar (anniversary of the Prophet’s death); 14 Khordad (anniversary of Imam Khomeini’s death); and 25 Shawwal (martyrdom of Imam Jaʿfar al-Sadiq).
Shiraz is a temperate, four-season city, and each season has its own appeal. Still, May is famed for its spring display — Eram Garden is especially impressive in May when blossoms and plantings are at their peak.
Two easy ways to reach the garden:
The nearest metro station is Namazi; from the station it’s about a 10-minute walk via Daneshju (Science) Square and Eram Square.
By car, approach via Shahid Chamran Boulevard — a popular promenade lined with cafés and restaurants. Follow Chamran south to Daneshju Square, turn left toward Eram Square, then right onto Eram Street; the garden sits on the right.
Address: Fars Province, Shiraz, District 1, Eram Street, Eram Garden
Have you been to Eram Garden? Which part did you enjoy most? Share your experiences and memories of Shiraz and Eram Garden below.
Tip | |
|---|---|
Visit in May for the most spectacular spring blooms. | |
Allow time to climb to the three-storey pavilion and stroll the east-west promenade lined with cypresses. | |
Expect steps and tiered waterways — the garden is built on a slope with terraces and channels. | |
Check opening hours (08:00–20:30) and note closures on specific religious observances. | |
The pavilion’s lower cellar channels water through the front pool — look for the 335 m² rectangular pool paved with 18 stones. |
