P A N O R A D I A N T

Golestan - A Royal Palace in Tehran of the former Imperial Iran  - now a museum 

CLICK A PICTURE FOR ITS INTERACTIVE PANORAMA >> 
(Once there click the FULL SCREEN button for best view)

Golestan Palace, actually a complex of palaces in Tehran was the seat and home of the Kahdja Dynasty but was used by the last of the shahs, Mohammad Reza Pahlavi and his father Reza Shah for ceremonial occasions. It was in fact where Mohammad crowned himself and his queen after being returned from exile last century. Despite the upheaval during the 1979 revolution revolution such palaces remain as museums to Iran's past glories and are open to the Iranian public to view. The bust at the foot of the stairs is that of the last shah of the Kahdja Dynasty which preceded the Pahlavis. 

The grand staircase leading to staterooms where foreign dignitaries were received. The last Shah of Iran, Mohammad Pahlavi, and for that matter his wife, were crowned in one of the rooms above the staircase. Today Golestan is preserved as a museum. The bust on the left is of the last shah of the Kahdja Dynasty which preceded the Pahlavis.

Despite the upheaval during the 1979 revolution revolution such palaces remain as museums to Iran's past history and are open to all visitors.

I am unsure what purpose this building served but interesting is the old imperial symbol of the sun and lion picked out in detail in coloured mosaic. In fact all the buildings are finished in the most elaborate mosaic something typically Iranian. I did not find out why part of the building was obscured by an enormous curtain but suppose it was to protect the wall or windows from the sun. If I find out more I will amend this description.    

Here is an example of Iranian craftsmanship. marble floor, self supporting arched ceiling and so much more; all below ground level. 

Another beautifully ornate room. Don't know it's original purpose but like the hall with the fountain it was probably 
cool(ish) in summer before the days of airconditionain. 

The smaller buildings are living quarters with some very comfortable rooms. To the left is one of a pair of towers which I at first thought were the minarets of a mosque but now I think it more likely they are wind towers providing cool air to the rooms below. 

A comfortable room but not so sumptuous as many others others in Golestan. Just comfortable with its tiled floor and partially tiled whitewashed walls but now look up at it in the panorama to see the ceiling. Looks like a Persian carpet but is in fact painted wood.  Similar ceilings can be found in Shiraz  from where, someone told me, this one was taken. I don't know whether true or not!

Sorry there are no panoramas to link to for the following!
I wasn't allowed inside the staterooms situated above the grand staircase and had 
to be content with a couple of fisheye photos taken from the roped off doorways.