GOLESTAN PALACE COMPLEX

Golestan Palace is one of the tangible , cultural and historical site of Iran which is located in the center OF Tehran . this complex dates back to the time of Safavid dynasty in 17th century . there is no much information about the Safavid dynasty . but the palace is reflecting the memories of three dynasties respectively from Zand ruler in 18th century to Qajar and Pahlavi the last king of Iran before islamic revolution . Golestan palace is highlight of Tehran and it receives many iranians and foreign visitors on a daily basis . this palace is expanded during the reign of three dynasties, Zand , Qajar and Pahlavi . nowadays it is occupeid 45000 square meter including 17 palaces , museums , and halls which are located in this complex . the flourishing time of it was when the Naser- al- din shah Qajar for the first time as the first iranian king traveled to european countries and brought many new architectural and decorative technics and ideas to Iran .

The construction of this royal citadel started at the time of Shah tahmaseb , the safavid king and continued during Qajars . from the functional point of view , this royal palace compound was used by both Pahlavi kings , as well , present buildings in Golestan palace are as fallows Shams – ol – Emareh , main palace , Abyaz palace Hoz khane , Eivan - e – Takhte Marmar , KHalvate Karim khani , Ivoryhall , brilliant hall , Almas hall , etc . highlighted cases of these monuments are as follows :

Eivan - e – Takhte marmar

 it is a portico decorated by a marble throne built with 65 pieces.it was made by SHirazi artist and transfered from shiraz to tehran 950 km. in 19th century .  it was initially the seat of Naser – al –din shah who received audience in the garden , facing to this portico creating a breath taking scene.

Fathali Shah the king of Qajar dynasty and Reza Shah the king of Pahlavi ( the father ) they did coronation on the merble throne of Eivan -e – Takhte Marmar .

Main hall : including mirror hall as well as greeting hall or museum room.

Mirror hall 

Main hall is including very spectacular mirror hall which was renovated during the time of pahlavi , the peacock throne was housed here , before moveing to national jewels museum . the peacock throne was used for the coronation of Mohammad reza shah in 1967 and royal weddings . later it is known mirror hall because of so nice and fine mirror decoration .

The Greeting hall

 at the beginning was an objects museum which were brought from europe by Naser – al – din shah , but later they changed it to greeting palace ( persian : talare salam ) and a ceremonial hall for coronation and royal parties . both kings of Pahlavi the father and the son , they did coronation in this palace . 1926 and 1967.

Shams – ol – Emareh 

 this was the first highest building in iran which was made by the order of Naser – al – din Shah Qajar . it is 5 floors building 35m high that had been an intertainment case not only for the king but also for the people . people would go to the rooftop and watch the surroundings , a clock was presented to king Naser- al - din shah`s palace from queen Victoria of England . it was mounted on top of Shams – ol – Emareh . the loud sound of the clock , however caused the settelers in the palace to complain , the Shah finally ordered to lessen the sound .the clock remained in silent for over a hundred years . this silence finally ended on 12 november 2012 after repairs were finished , the clock bell sounds again .