Fin garden — Attraction in Kashan

n oasis of lush vegetation can be found in an arid region of Iran. The Fin Garden is regarded as one of the most beautiful gardens of its type, and it has been reported that this is the oldest surviving Persian garden in Iran. Reflecting its location and sacred symbolism, the Fin Garden is a masterpiece combining natural and man-made elements. Creation of the Fin Garden The Fin Garden (known also in Persian as ‘Bagh-e Fin’) is a traditional Persian garden located in Kashan, in the central Iranian province of Isfahan. Today, the Fin Garden is one of the nine gardens that form the UNESCO World Heritage Site known as the ‘Persian Garden’. This garden is believed to have been created during the early part of the Safavid Dynasty, around the first half of the 16th century.

Fin Garden, Kashan, Iran.

Fin Garden, Kashan, Iran. (ali reza / CC BY 2.0 )

The current design, however, may be traced to the reign of Shah Abbas I, the 5th Safavid Shah of Iran, who reigned from 1588 to 1629. Nonetheless, the Fin Garden continued to be developed over time. One significant period of restoration and enlargement occurred during the reign of the 2nd Qajar Shah of Iran, Fath-Ali Shah Qajar, who ruled from 1797 to 1834. Golden Age of Classical Chinese Gardens Revealed: Archaeologists Uncover Ancient Garden near Buddhist Monastery Finding Zen in the World’s Most Famous Rock Garden A First-Ever Find in Egypt: 4,000-Year-Old Funerary Garden at Tomb Entrance 1840 depiction by Pascal Coste of the Kiosque Bagh Shah Fin.

1840 depiction by Pascal Coste of the Kiosque Bagh Shah Fin. ( Public Domain )

Features of a Persian Garden As mentioned earlier, the Fin Garden is a Persian Garden. These gardens are distinguished by certain common features that date back to the time of the Cyrus the Great, who ruled the Achaemenid Empire during the 6th century BC. One of the most important principles shared by the Persian gardens is the chahar bagh (meaning ‘four gardens’) layout.

According to this design, a Persian garden, which is quadrilateral in shape, would be divided into four parts by waterways. These channels are supplied with water from a source, a fountain, for instance, located in the middle of the garden. Fin Garden, Kashan, Iran. (Erwin Bolwidt/ CC BY NC SA 2.0 )

Persian gardens are meant to symbolize the harmony between the four Zoroastrian elements – sky, earth, water, and plants. With the advent of Islam, these gardens also came to represent the Garden of Eden, or the four gardens of Paradise, as mentioned in the Qur’an. Whilst a common layout may be found in all Persian gardens, the overall design has been adapted to the different climates they were being created in.

Natural Elements and Man-made Structures in the Garden In the case of the Fin Garden, this Persian garden is located in a part of the country where the climate is arid. This contrast between the lush foliage within the garden and the barren landscape surrounding it is perhaps one of the factors contributing to the Fin Garden’s beauty. This is further enhanced by the natural and man-made elements in the garden. The orange trees in the garden, for example, exude a fragrant aroma when they are in blossom. Other plants in the Fin Garden include fruit trees such as apple trees and cherry trees, as well as flowers, including jasmine, tulips, lilies,...

Fin Garden (Persian: باغ فین‎ Bagh-e Fin) located in Kashan, Iran, is a historical Persian garden. It contains Kashan's Fin Bath, where Amir Kabir, the Qajarid chancellor, was murdered by an assassin sent by King Nasereddin Shah in 1852. Completed in 1590, the Fin Garden is the oldest extant garden in Iran The origins of the garden may be anterior to the Safavid period; some sources indicate that the garden has been relocated from another place, but no clear picture of it has been found.

The settlements of the garden in its present form was built under the reign of Abbas I of Persia (1571-1629), as a traditional bagh near the village of Fin, located a few kilometres southwest of Kashan.

The garden was developed further during the Safavid dynasty, until Abbas II of Persia (1633-1666). It was highly recognized during the reign of Fat′h Ali Shah Qajar and was considerably expanded.

The garden subsequently suffered from neglect and was damaged several times until, in 1935, it was listed as a national property of Iran.On 2007, 8 September, Bagh-e Fin was submitted to the UNESCO's Tentative List.

Unesco declared the garden a World Heritage Site on July 18, 2012. The garden covers 2.3 hectares with a main yard surrounded by ramparts with four circular towers. In keeping with many of the Persian gardens of this era, the Fin Garden employs a great many water features.

These were fed from a spring on a hillside behind the garden, and the water pressure was such that a large number of circulating pools and fountains could be constructed without the need for mechanical pumps.

The garden contains numerous cypress trees and combines architectural features of the Safavid, Zandiyeh and...

The Fin Garden (Bāgh-e Fīn) in Kashan, Iran, is one of the most famous historical gardens in the country and a prime example of traditional Persian garden design. It dates back to the Safavid period (16th century), though it has been renovated and expanded over the centuries, especially during the Qajar era.

The garden is renowned for its stunning layout, which follows the Persian principles of garden design, symbolizing paradise. It features a central pool, fountains, flowing water, and lush greenery, all arranged symmetrically. The garden is surrounded by walls that shelter it from the harsh desert climate, providing a peaceful and serene oasis.

One of the key highlights of the Fin Garden is the historical Fin Bathhouse, which was the site of the tragic murder of Amir Kabir, the prime minister of Iran during the Qajar dynasty, in 1852. The bathhouse, along with its distinctive architecture, adds a layer of historical intrigue to the garden.

The garden’s architecture is a mix of traditional Persian styles, including exquisite tile work, arches, and pavilions. It’s considered a masterpiece of Persian landscaping and was designated as a UNESCO World Heritage site in 2011.

Today, the Fin Garden is a popular tourist destination, admired for its beauty, historical significance, and tranquil atmosphere, offering visitors a glimpse into Iran’s rich cultural and...