SAEDNEWS: The historic Chehel Sotoun Garden Museum in Isfahan—one of Iran’s UNESCO World Heritage sites—has reportedly suffered significant damage following powerful explosions in the surrounding area.
According to SAEDNEWS, According to reports citing the Iranian news agency IRNA, several parts of the historic complex were seriously affected by the shockwaves from bombings that occurred on March 8. The damage includes sections of the pavilion’s famous mirrorwork decorations, rooms containing valuable historic paintings, and intricately crafted wooden doors and windows.
Chehel Sotoun Palace is part of the UNESCO-listed “Persian Garden” heritage collection, specifically included in the file known as the “Nine Persian Gardens.” Despite the implementation of UNESCO’s cultural protection protocol known as the “Blue Shield,” the intensity of nearby explosions caused notable harm to the structure’s delicate decorative elements.
Among the most affected areas is the palace’s Mirror Hall. Portions of the intricate Persian mirrorwork—an art form that was only recently added to UNESCO’s Intangible Cultural Heritage list—have collapsed due to the force of the blast waves.
Experts say the losses are particularly significant because many of the palace’s decorations date back to the Safavid era, making them both historically authentic and irreplaceable. Since the building’s design is largely decorative in nature, restoring the damaged elements could be extremely costly and technically challenging.
Structural concerns have also been reported. Parts of the palace’s double-layered roof were damaged, and several wooden doors and windows were torn from their frames. The surrounding side chambers, known as “Goushvareh rooms,” also sustained serious harm.
In addition, specialists inspecting the site noted that the columns of the main pavilion have shifted from their original alignment, showing signs of torsion and displacement. Experts warn that due to these structural issues, there is a risk of further settlement of the building in the coming days.
Chehel Sotoun is one of Isfahan’s most iconic historical landmarks and a symbol of Safavid architectural heritage, making the reported damage a significant cultural loss.
