Saed News: Golestan Palace, or Golestan Fortress, is the name of a part of a historic complex in Tehran that later became known as the "Tehran Royal Citadel." If you don’t have the chance to visit this historic site, don’t miss this article.
According to the Family Magazine Service of SaedNews, Golestan Palace is located near Tehran Bazaar and 15 Khordad Street. Many years ago, this neighborhood was the real Tehran, which today, with its stone-paved floor, remains a great place for strolling. Golestan Palace, registered on UNESCO’s cultural heritage list, is a work from the Qajar era and, with a history of over 440 years, is among the most unique historical complexes in Iran, still retaining its beauty. The name of this complex is due to its location inside a garden with plane and cypress trees, hence it was named Golestan (meaning “flower garden”).
Golestan Palace was the residence of kings for a long time, but today, only a few buildings remain of all its former grandeur. Nonetheless, life still flows in this part of Tehran and unique scenes can be observed. A world of paintings and images with exquisite Iranian tilework captivates every viewer’s heart. You should sit on a chair and enjoy watching this Qajar-era building with Iranian-European architecture, so much so that you truly feel history. The palace is located in the center of Tehran, and it is recommended to book your hotel within this area to be close to Tehran’s main attractions.
Why Should We Visit Golestan Palace?
The Shams-ol-Emareh building in this museum is the first structure built from metal. It houses a large and carved marble throne made from 65 pieces. The palace features splendid mirror work, plasterwork, and very eye-catching paintings.
Golestan Palace is a historic complex containing various royal palaces and halls. Its architectural style is inspired by Iranian traditions. However, through commercial, political, and cultural interactions with European countries, it has been influenced by European neoclassical architecture, undergoing changes and improvements. As a result, we now see a captivating blend of Iranian and European architectural styles that mesmerizes every visitor and is worth seeing at least once.
One of the palace’s prominent features is its exceptional tilework depicting various themes, including mythology, hunting, love, war, landscapes, historical events, kings, courtiers, government officials, and religious motifs. These works also show the influence of increased contact with the Western world and support for artistic efforts. They skillfully combine Western painting techniques such as visible volume, shading, and naturalism alongside traditional Iranian illustration methods.
The exterior of the Golestan Palace buildings is not the only aspect that amazes visitors. Upon entering these structures, the magnificent mirror work impresses you—especially the Mirror Hall, which took over seven years to decorate and is truly breathtaking.
The gold-plated decorations on stone surfaces like Shams-ol-Emareh and the marble throne add to the palace’s allure, reflecting a popular style during the Qajar era. Skilled goldsmiths of that time used metal sheets in these decorations to showcase their expertise. The use of gold in Golestan’s architectural decorations, alongside an emphasis on durability, increases the complex’s value. Next, we will introduce various parts of Golestan Palace.
History of Golestan Palace
According to documents and the travelogue of Pietro della Valle, the history of Golestan Palace can be traced back to the time of Shah Abbas Safavid. However, the most important era in the palace’s history relates to Agha Mohammad Khan Qajar. After defeating Lotf Ali Khan Zand, Agha Mohammad Khan ascended to power in 1210 AH and chose Tehran as the capital, significantly elevating the importance of the royal Golestan Palace.
Naser al-Din Shah Qajar, the first Iranian king to travel to Europe, was also crowned in this palace. As a result, Golestan Palace underwent fundamental changes influenced by European architecture and acquired a new appearance. Throughout the Qajar period, the complex served as a center of governance, royal residence, and a training ground for artists and architects. This made it an important hub for producing artworks in the 19th century.
During the reigns of Mozaffar ad-Din Shah, Mohammad Ali Shah, and Ahmad Shah Qajar, no major changes occurred in this royal palace. However, this period holds significance due to key historical events like the Constitutional Revolution and its aftermath. Golestan Palace also experienced changes during the reigns of Reza Shah Pahlavi and Mohammad Reza Shah Pahlavi.
With this in mind, Golestan Palace has a history spanning over four centuries and preserves a remarkable collection of Iran’s historical heritage. The palace is a valuable witness to Iran’s most important historical moments. Today, it stands amid the fragmented architecture of Tehran, surrounded by anonymous modern structures.
Sections and Museums of Golestan Palace Complex
The different sections include:
The Palace Grounds: Featuring towering trees, pools, and fountains, it’s a great spot for photography. Before entering the buildings, enjoy the surroundings. There is also a small bazaar near the entrance selling handicrafts. Tickets are required to enter the palace grounds, and separate tickets are needed for each building.
Shams-ol-Emareh: Although visits don’t follow a strict order, it is better to start here. This tall building was once considered a symbol of the capital and is one of the most prominent structures of Golestan Palace. Its shape is based on European architectural models, a legacy from Naser al-Din Shah. It was one of the tallest buildings in Tehran, with five floors. It was also the first metal building. Inside, you will see beautiful mirror work, paintings, and plasterwork.
Marble Throne Porch: Known as Dar al-Amareh or Divan Khaneh, it dates back to Karim Khan Zand’s era and was a place of royal celebrations during the Qajar period. It features stunning plasterwork, stone carving, marquetry, mirror work, wood carving, and latticework.
Salaam Hall: Located in the northwest part of Golestan Palace, originally built to serve as a museum. After Naser al-Din Shah’s visit to Western museums, he decided to create a similar institution in the royal citadel. As a result, old buildings like the Museum Room and the pond house were demolished to make way for new construction. Thus, Iran’s first museum was established at Golestan Palace. Photography and the concept of museums in Iran date back to the Qajar era. Salaam Hall and other parts were completed in 1293 AH, but decoration and display setup continued until 1296 AH. Naser al-Din Shah is believed to have personally participated in the museum’s design. It became known as Salaam Hall due to hosting greeting ceremonies and later became the Coronation Hall due to its association with the Pahlavi coronations.
Marble Throne: Created by famous Isfahani sculptors and stonemasons, installed in the porch, made from 65 large and small marble pieces. Naser al-Din Shah’s tombstone was also moved here, along with a life-sized picture of him holding a sword. The Museum Room in the northwest of the garden was one of the first royal and state museums in Iran, later called Salaam Hall, where Pahlavi coronations took place. The Mirror Hall is adjacent, featuring a large oil painting, decoration of which took years. The Hall of Vessels displays gifts from European monarchs to the Qajar kings. The Windcatcher Pavilion, located in the southern part of the garden, was built in Fath Ali Shah’s time but modified during Naser al-Din Shah’s reign into its current form.
Golestan Palace also offers facilities such as a teahouse, Qajar-style photography, restrooms, and a prayer room.
Special Museum: Inside the pond house of Salaam Hall, a specific section is dedicated to a museum displaying remarkable objects left by Qajar kings. Some were previously kept in Naser al-Din Shah’s Museum Room and inherited from earlier Qajar periods. Others were gifts from other kings and artists or personally purchased by Qajar kings.
Gallery Museum: Another part of Salaam Hall’s pond house shows Iranian Qajar-era paintings. This museum is divided into two sections: the southern section displays Qajar paintings including works by Mirza Baba, Ismail Jalayer, Abolhasan Thani, Ali Akbar Khan Mozein-ol-Dowleh, and others. The northern section focuses on late Qajar painters like Mahmoud Khan Saba, Kamal-ol-Molk, Mosarrel-Molk, and Agha Mirza Mousa. These two sections merged in 1995 and began operating as a gallery museum in 1997.
Mirror Hall: Famous among the palace’s halls, known especially for the renowned painting of the Mirror Hall and Naser al-Din Shah by the esteemed artist Kamal-ol-Molk. Completing this significant artwork took five years of dedicated effort. The painting’s unique feature is its depiction of the hall as significantly larger than its physical dimensions, showcasing the artist’s extraordinary talent in creating an atmosphere of grandeur. The visual illusion captivates viewers, immersing them in the hall’s majestic splendor.
The intricate details, masterful brush strokes, and play of light and reflection bring the hall to life, evoking a sense of magnificence beyond the actual space. This painting symbolizes Kamal-ol-Molk’s artistic genius and is known as the glory of Golestan Palace’s Mirror Hall.
Ivory Hall: Another magnificent structure in Golestan Palace, built before Salaam and Mirror Halls. Its exact date is unclear, but historical evidence suggests its age is comparable to the aforementioned halls. Its exceptional beauty is captured in a watercolor painting by Mahmoud Khan Malek-ol-Shoara from 1286 AH, depicting the hall’s exterior with distinctive features such as three prominent arched windows, a porch supported by six columns, and a staircase. The hall currently houses two notable elephant ivories, possibly explaining its name. Although some speculate it was historically used for dining and receptions, its correct name is “Aja Hall,” a Turkish term meaning “hungry” or “hungry hall.”
Hall of Vessels:
The Hall of Vessels, built in 1965 (1344 in the Iranian calendar), proudly stands on the foundations of a previous Qajar-era building. Its purpose is clear from its name—both as a storage and display space for an extraordinary collection of gifts bestowed upon it. This magnificent hall offers visitors the chance to marvel at a treasury of exquisite items that witness diplomatic exchanges and cultural interactions between Iran and Europe.
Among the notable artifacts kept in the Hall of Vessels are prominent Chinese porcelain pieces intricately linked to the dramatic events of the Napoleonic Wars. This enchanting collection, with its delicate craftsmanship and historical significance, offers a glimpse into the lavish world of European art. Another inspiring display in the hall is the jewelry—generously gifted by Queen Victoria! This luxurious collection of precious jewels and intricate designs stands as a testament to the enduring bond between the British Empire and the Qajar dynasty.
The Hall of Vessels also exhibits items donated by Alexander III, Emperor of Russia. This impressive collection, characterized by meticulous craftsmanship and royal grandeur, reflects the deep-rooted ties between Iran and Russia during the Qajar era. These remarkable gifts, granted by European counterparts to the Qajar kings, provide a fascinating window into the blend of culture, politics, and diplomacy. The Hall of Vessels stands as a witness to the significant exchanges between Iran and Europe, inviting visitors to immerse themselves in the rich history and splendor of these royal gifts.
Karimkhani Private Hall:
Karimkhani Private Hall, located in the northwest corner of Golestan Palace, is a covered building designed as a three-door veranda adorned with columns. Notably, it features an enchanting central pool. This building holds considerable historical importance primarily related to events during the reign of Agha Mohammad Khan Qajar. Agha Mohammad Khan ordered the exhumation and relocation of Karim Khan Zand’s remains from his burial site in Shiraz to this place. This decision was made because the location lay along the king’s daily path, allowing him to symbolically insult Karim Khan’s tomb by kicking it as he passed!
Inside Karimkhani Private Hall, two prominent artifacts can be found. First, the gravestone of Naser al-Din Shah, which was moved from the shrine of Abd al-Azim (AS) to Golestan Palace during the early Islamic Revolution and eventually placed here. This engraved gravestone depicts Naser al-Din Shah holding a sword. Also housed here is the marble throne of Fath Ali Shah, originally located elsewhere in the palace but later transferred during the Pahlavi II era. These precious artifacts, alongside the hall’s historical events, add to its significance within the Golestan Palace complex.
Brilliant Hall (Diamond Hall):
The Brilliant Hall is renowned for its stunning rooms decorated with mirrors and chandeliers. Before its creation, the site was occupied by the Crystal Hall, a building from the era of Fath Ali Shah. Over time, the Crystal Hall deteriorated and was eventually demolished during Naser al-Din Shah’s time. In its place, the Brilliant Hall was constructed, showcasing a blend of restoration work and fine new decorations. Notably, there is an oil painting depicting the hall before restoration, now kept in the Salam Hall.
During Naser al-Din Shah’s reign, the Brilliant Hall served as a repository for gifts from foreign monarchs to the Qajar family. Under the Pahlavi dynasty, it gained a new role as a venue for formal court celebrations. This change reflects the hall’s adaptability and its continuing importance as a distinguished space within the palace complex.
Windcatcher Building:
Located on the southern side of the Golestan complex, the Windcatcher Building was initially constructed during the reign of Fath Ali Shah. It underwent significant changes during Naser al-Din Shah’s time, resulting in the remarkable structure visible today. Besides its beautiful orsi windows and columns, it features notable elements like the attic room, eaves, and various corridors, all impressive.
The Windcatcher Building’s decoration includes extraordinary techniques and materials such as painting, mirror work, stucco, carving, and gilding, all enhancing its grandeur. Its most attractive feature lies in the Royal Hall, which contains nine exquisite orsi windows, intricately carved marble dadoes, mesmerizing mirror work, two prominent spiral columns adorned with paintings, stunning seven-color mosaic floors, and mural and ceiling paintings.
This combination creates a visual spectacle captivating any visitor. The Windcatcher Building testifies to the refined craftsmanship and artistic brilliance that flourished during its construction, showcasing the magnificence of its era.
Photo Museum:
Beneath the Windcatcher Building lies a water reservoir with four tall windcatchers. Decorated with blue, yellow, and black mosaic tiles, it cools the air in the pool and rooms. Nearby is a pool deliberately blocked to prevent further damage.
Currently, the Windcatcher Building houses the Photo Museum, displaying a notable collection of Qajar-era photographs along with photographic equipment of the time. The museum’s foundation is rooted in Naser al-Din Shah’s passion for photography. It proudly exhibits photos taken by the Shah himself, including his handwritten annotations. The museum’s extensive collection in its archive is truly remarkable, ranking as the second-largest worldwide after the British Royal Collection.
Visitors can immerse themselves in the rich visual history of the Qajar period and explore a unique perspective captured through photography of that era. The Photo Museum in the Windcatcher Building stands as evidence of photography’s significance in Naser al-Din Shah’s court and offers insight into Iran’s remarkable photographic heritage.
Abi Museum (White Palace):
During the reign of Sultan Abdul Hamid, the Ottoman King, luxurious furnishings like Louis XVI steel sofas were sent as gifts to Naser al-Din Shah. These lavish items included two mirrors, velvet curtains, bronze statues, and handwoven Turkish carpets. However, since the royal palaces were already decorated with utmost beauty and grandeur, these items were considered unnecessary. Therefore, Naser al-Din Shah personally initiated the construction of a new palace in the southwest corner of the Golestan area. To imitate European architectural styles, the palace was painted white, and white marble was used for the staircase. Consequently, this new building became widely known as the Abi Palace, meaning “White Palace.”
After furnishing with Ottoman royal items, a magnificent hall inside the palace was named Abdul Hamid Hall in his honor. Abi Palace served as the office of the prime minister and successive governments. Until 1953 (1332), it functioned as a fine arts venue and later became a space for temporary exhibitions. Eventually, in 1968 (1347), it was converted into an ethnography museum.
This museum houses an extensive collection, including Qajar-era clothing for men and women, as well as garments representing various regions of Iran.
Golestan Palace Library:
The Golestan Palace Library consists of two separate sections: the Manuscript Library and the Printed Book Library. Its origins and manuscript collection date back to the early 19th century. Established under Fath Ali Shah Qajar, it was originally named the Royal Library. Later, during the Pahlavi II era, the Printed Book Library was also founded. Initially located on the first floor of Abi Palace, it was moved in 2003 (1382) to a 93-square-meter space in the northeast wing of the palace.
This library contains an extensive collection of more than 7,000 historical, artistic, and lithographic books. Among them, approximately 2,500 volumes hold significant historical importance, making the Golestan Palace Library a valuable resource for Qajar-era publications.
In the Printed Book section, the oldest book is the Divan of Shams, which is notably 52 years old. Additionally, the collection includes the oldest Qajar book called “Toofan al-Baka,” with only 56 copies worldwide. The Manuscript section contains notable works such as Morgh-e Golshan, One Thousand and One Nights, and the Bayasanghri Shahnameh. Furthermore, the library holds precious Qur’ans from the era of Fath Ali Shah and earlier, representing some of the oldest surviving copies.
It is important to note that the Golestan Palace Library differs from public libraries in accessibility. It is exclusively available to students, professors, writers, and researchers who provide an introduction letter and demonstrate active involvement in academic activities.
Diamond Hall:
Located after the Windcatcher Building, the Diamond Hall is one of Golestan’s historic sections. It derives its name from the attractive mirror work that decorates its interior. Notably, the mirror muqarnas (stalactite decoration) found on the southern side of the hall are remnants from Fath Ali Shah’s era, representing the oldest parts of the structure.
Fath Ali Shah ordered the construction of this hall, but modifications to its decoration and overall appearance were made during Naser al-Din Shah’s time. The Diamond Hall includes corridors, attics, and various vestibules, showcasing a complex, multifaceted architectural design. Additionally, beneath this hall is a large pool that adds to its appeal and brings a refreshing element to its surroundings.
How to Get to Golestan Museum in Tehran?
If you want to go to the palace by private car, note that streets leading to Golestan Palace—such as Bab Homayoun, Soor Esrafil, Davar, and Sabzeh Meydan—are cobblestone and vehicles are not allowed to pass. You must park your car on surrounding streets and walk the rest of the way. Also, this area is within a traffic restriction zone.
The best way to reach Golestan Palace is by metro; get off at 15 Khordad station and walk a short distance to the palace. Tehran’s metro map will help you navigate to this notable destination.
Another option is the bus; use lines passing through Khiyam Street and get off at the Golbarg station. Taxis from all over Tehran can also take you to Golbarg Crossroads. These taxis can be found at places like Second Sadeghieh Square, Fatemi Square, Enghelab Square, Jomhouri Islami Street, Razi Square, and others.
Entrance Fee and Suggested Visiting Time for Golestan Palace, Tehran
The complex is open daily except for 14 Khordad, 21 Ramadan, Tasua and Ashura of Hosseini, 28 Safar, and 25 Shawwal (the martyrdom day of Imam Sadeq).
Visiting hours in the first half of the year are from 9 AM to 6 PM and in the second half from 9 AM to 5 PM, with ticket sales open until 4:30 PM. You will need about two hours to tour the complex, so plan your visit to other Tehran attractions accordingly and avoid leaving the palace visit for late hours to fully enjoy the experience. Don’t forget that you must purchase a ticket to enter this exceptional complex.
Best Season to Visit Golestan Palace in Tehran
Since Tehran is a city with four distinct seasons, you can visit any time of year and enjoy the city’s seasonal atmosphere.
Nearby Attractions to Visit Around Golestan Palace
Grand Bazaar of Tehran: 350 meters
Historical House of Mostowfi ol-Mamalek: 650 meters
Park-e Shahr (City Park): 700 meters
Historical Market of Oudlajan: 1 kilometer
