ALI QAPU

a gem of safavid architecture , the SAFAVID architecture started in the period of SHAH ABBAS the great.under his suspicious ALI QAPU palace was considerably enlarged and perfected and became the house of coverment and a palace for ceremonial events. SHAH ABBAS here for the fist time celebrated the NOW – RUZ (new year’s day ) of 1597 A. D

A large and massive rectangular structure ALI QAPU is 48 meters high and six floors fronted with a wide terrace whose ceiling is inlaid and supported by wooden columns. ALI QAPU is rich in naturalistic wall painting by REZA ABBASI , the court painter of SHAH ABBASS , and his pupils

There are floral , animals , and bird motifes. The highly ornamented doors and windows of the palace have almost all been pillaged at times of social anarchy.

Only one window on the third floor has escaped from the ravages of time.

ALI QAPU was repaired and restored substantially during the reign of SHAH SULTAN HOSSEIN , the last SAFAVID ruler but fell into a dreadful state of dilapidation again during the short reign of invading AFGHANS. Under the Qajar NASSEREDDIN SHAH reign ( 1848- 1896 ) the SAFAVID cornices and floral tiles above the portal were replaced by tiles bearing inscriptions.SHAH ABBAS the second was a enthusiastic about the emblishment and perfection of ALI QAPU.

His chief contribution was a magnificent hall that constitutes the third floor the 18 columns of the hall are covered with mirrors and its ceiling is decorated with great paintings.the chancellery was stationed on the first floor.on the sixth, the royal reception and banquets were held.

The largest room are found on this floor. The stucco decoration of the banquet hall abound in motif of various vessels and cups. The sixth floor was popularly called the musical room.here various ensemles performed music and sang song.from the upper galleries , the SAFAVID ruler watched polos , maneuvers and horse racing that took place on the opposite square on NAGHSH-E- JAHAN.