Golestan Palace - World Cultural Heritage in Iran

The lavish Golestan Palace is a masterpiece of the Qajar era, showcasing a successful fusion of earlier Persian craftsmanship and architecture with Western influences. The walled palace, one of the oldest groups of buildings in Tehran, became the seat of government for the Qajar family, which came to power in 1779 and made Tehran the country’s capital. Built around a garden with a swimming pool as well as planting areas, the Palace’s most distinctive features and rich decorations date back to the 19th century. It has since become a center of art and architecture. Qajari architecture of which it is an outstanding example and remains an inspiration to Iranian artists and architects to this day. It represents a new style that combines traditional Persian arts and crafts with elements of 18th century architecture and technology.

Accreditation year: 2013
Criteria: (ii)(iii)(iv)
Area: 5.3 ha
Buffer zone: 26.2 ha

Table of Contents

Outstanding global value

Golestan Palace is located in the center and historical core of Tehran. The palace complex is one of the oldest in Tehran, originally built during the Safavid dynasty in the historic walled city. After expansion and addition, it received its most distinctive features in the 19th century, when the palace complex was chosen as the royal residence and seat of power for the ruling Qajar family. Currently, the Golestan Palace complex consists of eight main palace structures mainly used as museums and the garden of the same name, a common green centerpiece of the complex, surrounded by an outer wall. there is a gate.

The complex exemplifies the architectural and artistic achievements of the Qajar era, including the introduction of European motifs and styles into Persian art. It was not only used as the seat of rule by the Qajari kings, but also functioned as a residential and entertainment complex, and as a center of art production in the 19th century. Through activity Later, it became the source and center of Qajari art and architecture.

The Golestan Palace represents a unique and rich testimony to the architectural language and decorative arts of the Qajar era that is expressed primarily in the legacy of Naser ed-Din Shah. It reflects artistic inspiration of European origin as the earliest representatives of the synthetic European and Persian styles, which became the hallmark of Iranian art and architecture by the end of the century. 19 and 20. As such, parts of the palace complex can be considered the source of the modern Iranian art movement.

Criterion (ii): The Golestan Palace complex represents an important example of the fusion of Persian art and architecture with European styles and motifs, as well as the adaptations European construction technologies, such as the use of cast iron for bearing, in Persia. Thus, such a Golestan Palace can be considered as an exceptional example of east-west fusion in monumental art, architectural layout and construction technology, which has become the inspiration for the modern Iranian artist and architect.

Criterion (iii): The Golestan Palace represents the fullest of Qajari architectural and artistic output, and is proof of the center of power and the arts at the time. It is therefore recognized as a special testament to the Qajari Era.

Criterion (iv): Golestan Palace is a fine example of art and architecture during an important period in Persia, during the 19th century when society was in the process of modernization. The influential role of ancient Persian artistic and architectural values as well as contemporary Western influences on art and architecture have been integrated into an art form and new architecture in an important transition period.

Integrity

The demarcation of the palace complex includes all elements that convey the Outstanding Universal Value of the heritage. Although the Qajari architectural heritage of Golestan Palace was much richer in the past and a substantial part of the palace complex was destroyed and replaced under successive rulers, all all elements that have existed up to the present time are included in the asset boundary.

Currently, the property is free of any acute threats, particularly those that could affect visual views of the wider landscape from within the palace grounds. To ensure that this situation is maintained in the future, emphasis should be placed on preserving the visual views from within the Golestan Palace and Gardens.

Authenticity

The architectural structures typical of the Qajari era retain authenticity in design and layout, while preserving distinctive interior and exterior facade decorations. All conservation activities are carried out respecting the authenticity of materials, design and workmanship. In addition, the palace complex retains part of its use and function, especially the galleries and wings created as museums during the Qajari period. Many of the residential, representative and administrative chambers had changed purposes but the palace was still used as a venue for contemporary state activities. Perhaps the context of the Qajari monuments changed most dramatically during the Pahlavi period, and their authenticity has been retained only in fragmentary form.

Protection and management requirements

Golestan Palace is listed as a national monument under the National Heritage Protection Act (1930). It continues to be transferred government ownership under the Law Concerning the Acquisition of Land, Buildings and Facility for the Protection of Historic Property (1969) and is accordingly protected by both legislative means and property ownership. The buffer zone is protected by legal regulations approved by ICHHTO. These restrict building and infrastructure development, cut trees, create pedestrian zones, and suggest a variety of measures to improve facades and structures. It is important that height restrictions in the buffer zone and wider surrounding area of Tehran’s historic district are strictly observed to protect views from within the Golestan Palace complex.

The management of the property is guided by short, medium and long term goals, which emphasize the preservation and restoration of the palace complex. Management responsibility rests with the Golestan Palace Facilities, a sub-division of ICHHTO that is solely responsible for the property and acts as an office for the management of the venue. While the management objectives have been presented, a full management plan should be developed for the asset in which risk preparedness and response procedures should be given full attention. enough.