Chehel Sotoon Palace — Attraction in Isfahan

There is dreamy, very beautiful! The palace has 20 columns and seems to be famous for forty columns due to the reflection of the columns in the water. If you travel to Isfahan to visit the Forty Pillars Palace, you will find a large porch 38 meters long and 17 meters wide. The porch is on the east side of the Forty Pillars Palace and has 18 wooden pillars 14 meters high made of sycamore and pine wood. The top of each column is decorated with Mogharnas work. The four middle pillars are located on four beautifully carved stone lions. Stone lions are fountains that direct water into the marble basin between the four pillars. The roof of the porch is very spectacular and amazing. The roof is made of wood and is artistically decorated with Chinese knots, paintings and mirror work. There are two columns at the end of the porch, 12 meters high, overlooking the Hall of Mirrors. In this part of the building, you will see mosaic mirrors and large mirrors. Also, you can see an inscription on which the year of construction of the building is mentioned and it dates back to the Safavid period. Ashraf Hall or the main hall with beautiful paintings of the Safavid period is very spectacular and amazing. On the west, south and north sides of Ashraf Hall, there are inlaid and inlaid windows. These windows overlook the pool in front of the building and the garden space, and a place for light to pass through the hall. In Ashraf Hall, six oil paintings depict the feast of Shah Abbas, the Battle of Chaldoran, the Battle of Shah Tahmasb and the reception of the King of India, the Battle of Nader Shah with India, the Battle of Shah Ismail with the Uzbek Slope and the reception of Shah Abbas by Vali Mohammad Khan. They show the art of painting in Isfahan.

In addition to these amazing paintings, there are also pictures of celebrations of kings and foreign ambassadors. Three domes adorn the hall with gold ornaments and...

Chehel Sotoun (also Chihil Sutun or Chehel Sotoon; Persian: چهل ستون‎‎, literally: “Forty Columns”) is a pavilion in the middle of a park at the far end of a long pool, in Isfahan, Iran, built by Shah Abbas II to be used for his entertainment and receptions. In this palace, Shah Abbas II and his successors would receive dignitaries and ambassadors, either on the terrace or in one of the stately reception halls. Official name Persian gardens Location Isfahan, Isfahan, Isfahan Province, Iran Edit this at Wikidata Coordinates 32°39′27″N 51°40′20″E Criteria Cultural: i, ii, iii, iv, vi Reference 1372 Inscription 2011 (35th Session)

The name, meaning "Forty Columns" in Persian, was inspired by the twenty slender wooden columns supporting the entrance pavilion, which, when reflected in the waters of the fountain, are said to appear to be forty.[1]

As with Ali Qapu, the palace contains many frescoes and paintings on ceramic. Many of the ceramic panels have been dispersed and are now in the possession of major museums in the west. They depict specific historical scenes such as the infamous Battle of Chaldiran against the Ottoman Sultan Selim I, the reception of an Uzbek King in 1646, when the palace had just been completed; the welcome extended to the Mughal Emperor, Humayun who took refuge in Iran in 1544; the battle of Taher-Abad in 1510 where the Safavid Shah Ismail I vanquished and killed the Uzbek King. A more recent painting depicts Nader Shah's victory against the Indian Army at Karnal in 1739. There are also less historical, but even more aesthetic compositions in the traditional miniature style which celebrate the joy of life and love.

The Chehel Sotoun Palace is among the 9 Iranian Gardens which are collectively registered as one of the Iran’s 23 registered World Heritage Sites under the name of the...

Chehel Sotoon Palace is a masterpiece of Persian architecture and an enduring symbol of Safavid grandeur. Built in the 17th century as a royal pavilion and reception hall, the palace is surrounded by lush gardens and a large reflecting pool that amplifies its visual splendor. The name “Chehel Sotoon,” meaning “Forty Columns,” derives from the twenty wooden pillars of its portico, which appear to double when reflected in the pool. There are also other pillars around the palace which make it's name less of an exaggeration. The palace’s interiors are adorned with intricate frescoes, miniature paintings, and stucco work, depicting historical events, folklore tales, and legendary tales with vivid detail and striking colors. The frescoes inside recount epic battles, royal ceremonies, and moments of diplomacy, offering a deep dive into Iranian history and culture, and serving as a visual narrative of the Safavid era. The surrounding gardens, part of the UNESCO-listed Persian Garden ensemble, provide a tranquil retreat and reflect the Persian love for harmony between architecture and nature. Chehel Sotoon is a must-see destination that offers an unforgettable experience of beauty, history, and serenity.

Best time to visit is from April to June as the Persian new year has passed, the Garden looks fresh, and the weather is sweet. Palace is within walking distance to the Naghsh Jahan Square, and many other attractions around downtown Isfahan.

A gift shop is available outside the facility, a tea shop inside the garden, and a photographer on site.

Unfortunately Janaba Shah Abbas wasn't Available for...