Chehel Setoun Palace

Chehel Setoun Palace

Chehel Setoun Palace is one of the sample royal gardens belonging to the Safavid Empire in Isfahan. Also, it is well-known as the Chehel Setoun Museum garden. The garden itself is part of the vast area of Jahan Nama where Shah Abbas I ordered to construct of a cozy, small belvedere, which later on, turned out to be the core of the Chehel Setoun Palace project. This historical heritage is one of the most famous tourist spots in Isfahan that has endured much damage over time but still stands on its strong base stones. This particular Safavid project was one of the main core foundations of the city policy during the era playing a pivotal role as a linking ring attaching this city project to the other one, that was Naqsh-e-Jahaan complex.

Chehel Setoun Garden Palace had three entrance doors, with the main entrance on the east side of the building. Entering the garden from this entrance door one can reach a very long pool in front of the building. The main excel of the garden leads the visitors with the help of the tall, continuous trees on two sides of the pool. The garden has a slight slope that helps the flow of water move easily in the streams. In the past, water came from a place called “ Fadan” in the north part of the garden, while today is provided from a deep water well in the garden. The vegetation of this place currently includes Persian pine trees, elm trees, black maple trees, and poplar trees. In the surrounding crofts, there are beautiful seasonal flowers.

It has been separated from the city area by traditional-style walls. However, in the past, it used to be quite a unified complex, part of the city project. The main veranda is based on twenty pillars. The majority of the researchers believe that the reflection of these twenty columns on the front pool water makes a beautiful scene of forty pillars which was the reason the palace was called Chehel Setoun or “ Forty Pillar Palace”. Of course, we cannot deny the symbolic role of the number “forty” in Persian literature which stands for abundance.

Regarding the accurate history of its construction, we can refer to the two tablets buried underneath the plasters. There was a small pink one, and the other was a bigger one that was blue. The first one reflected that the palace was built during the reign of King Abbas and was renovated during King Hussein of the Abbasid dynasty as the second tablet revealed. There were many other palaces including the project the first king ordered to be built in his project as Nightingale Garden, Jonquil Garden, Pine Garden, and Winery Garden. Unfortunately, nothing of these gardens has left just the two ones, Chehel Setoun and Hasht Behesht.

When Isfahan was considered the capital of Iran and extended southward leading to the construction of Naqsh-e-Jahan Square, the starting point for building royal palaces was based on the famous Safavid scholar, Sheil-e-Bahaei. The selection of a vast area in a governmental complex was a very genius idea of the well-known scholar. The first project was Ali Qapu which continued to the main square of the Abbasi Chahar Bagh. The architectural style of the mansion is a combination of Chinese, French, and Persian. There are four decorated stone lion heads with alluring engravings where the core pillars of the palace stand.

The stone lion heads are the fountains that pour water into the marble basin in the middle of the columns. The eye-catching ceiling of the front veranda is made of wood with unique paintings and artistic mirror works. The main hall that is called the “ Throne Hall” is the major part of the palace quite spectacular with amazing Safavid Paintings. The windows are in Persian inlaid style and magnificently in harmony with the wooden ceiling which is outstanding in Iran. The paintings of this specific historical monument are a typical example of the School of Isfahan during the 17th and 18th centuries. In addition to the floral and animalistic styles of wall paintings, there are seventy other wall paintings in tempera and oil color techniques. They date back to the second Safavid king more often reflecting the school of Isfahan. Every type of Iranian art style like miniature, tile works, and platings. That is why this palace has been considered to be the most laden artwork that existed during that period. 

When the construction of the palace was finished in the 17th century, the king hosted many national and international guests at its opening. Then, the building is specified for welcoming foreign authorities and ambassadors. This building is designed with different wall paintings with the subjects including the events of historical eras of Iran. The paintings reflect historical scenes like the first Safavid king welcoming Muhammad Khan, the governor of Turkestan. The other one is important and reflects King Ismaeil the first in Chaldoran War. Another beautiful painting shows King Tahmasb, the first to welcome the king of India. Surprisingly, King Nader from the Afshaar dynasty is in Cornal War. The most amazing one is King Abbas I, with his luxurious, majestic crown with specific miniature art. This precious painting is in the treasure room of the palace. 

The dome-like ceiling is fascinatingly matched with colorful base plates that shine luxuriously in the golden background. The symmetrical picture of the floor basin is incredibly reflected in every part of the mirror works in the ceiling. The stone statues around the basin have been brought to this palace from two other palaces of The Mirror House and the Roofed Building. Amazingly, the quadruple statues in the four corners of the garden pool are the Persian goddess of water Anahita. Unfortunately, during the end of the Safavid period, the major parts of the building were destroyed by wildfire. 

Chehel Setoun is Attractive, dream-like, artistic, majestic, and everything a palace needs to stand out in the history of the oldest civilization in the world, Iran. Safavid Isfahan is the beating heart of this civilization.