Persian Garden is one of the 22 Iranian sites registered in World Heritage. These 9 gardens spread in various regions of the country.
The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) cooperate with different countries around the world to identify and protect cultural and natural places and until now, 22 Iranian sites have been inscribed on UNESCO’s World Heritage List which Iran’s Persian Garden is one of these sites.
These 9 Garden exemplify the diversity of Persian garden designs in the various regions of the country and adapted to different climate conditions while retaining principles that have their roots in the times of Cyrus the Great, 6th century BC. The Persian garden was conceived to symbolize Eden and the four Zoroastrian elements of sky, earth, water and plants with water playing an important role for both irrigation and ornamentation.
1) Ancient Garden of Pasargadae
Cyrus the Great destroyed the Babylonian empire and established the Achaemenid Empire. Cyrus (or Cambyses) the Great’s palace garden at Pasargadae c550 BC. The paths are conjectural and Water channels define the space between two palaces. There are two small pavilions. This is the earliest known remnant of what became the classical Persian garden. It was an empire of great gardeners but it is thought that the gardens were used as places to admire from an upper window, or take an occasional walk. Eating and other social activities would take place in the garden pavilions, catching the breeze but protected from the sun. It is likely to have been planted with cypress, pomegranate and cherry. The garden had a geometrical plan and stone watercourses. Gardens contained fruit trees and flowers, including the lily and rose.
2) Eram Garden, Shiraz
Eram Garden, the Garden of Paradise, was made in the nineteenth century and is typical of the period. It has some ‘typically Persian’ features and some western features. The garden is now managed by the botany department of Shiraz University.
The Bagh-i-Eram owes its continuing popularity to its groves of orange trees, its long axis of stately cypresses, and the impressive structure which has been the scene of Qashqai hospitality so freely offered to so many visitors. Every few years more of the orange trees fall victim to heavy frosts. It is easy to imagine the earlier owners leaving the main pavilion and strolling down the water-lined avenue as far as the lower pavilion, where they rested from their exercise. Shiraz is the most popular city for the tourists who are travel to Iran.
3) Chehel Sutun Garden, Isfahan
Spread with carpets, lit with pyramids of lamps, built as a royal pavilion at the end of the sixteenth century and extended by Shah Abbas II. It has a pavilion with 20 columns and is known as the Forty Columns because a reflecting pool doubles their number. The pavilion stands in a garden of 6.75 ha. This once had other pavilions and pools. It is well planted with plane trees. This Iranian tourism site is one of the must-see places in Iran tours in Isfahan.
4) Fin Garden, Kashan
A garden was made near the village of Fin by Shah Abbas 1. Most of the present garden, which is in good condition, dates from the nineteenth century. Approx 1.5 ha is enclosed by a high curtain wall with circular towers. Water is supplied by a spring and a qanat. The plan is a sophisticated charhar bagh with grids of canals and paths. The canals are lined with blue-green tiles, a colour which contrasts wonderfully with the desert outside the garden walls. The garden needs a restoration plan and could become a UNESCO World Heritage site. During the classic Iran tour, definately you would explore Kashan and enjoy the old houses and Fin Garden too.
5) Abbas Abad Garden, Behshahr
Located in the southeast of Behshahr in the midst of the forest, Abbas Abad Garden include a lake with an area of about 10 hectares. Due to the fact that in past, Shah Abbas Safavid was responsible for constructions in this vicinity, thereby the name. Being easily accessible by vehicle, in addition to a resting area, ancient relics, sweet water and pleasant weather make this region a must place for tourists to visit. You could have memorable tour to Behshahr by Malekitour during the years.
6) Shazdeh Garden, Kerman
This remarakable garden was made in the 1890s by the Governor of Kerman. It is a rectangular green oasis surrounded by brown desert that you could enjoy by our Iran desert tour around Kerman. There are pavilions and a central canal. The residence for which it was built is now derelict. The design looks best in an aerial photograph.
7) Dolat Abad Garden, Yazd
The garden was built for the governor with a private space for the family and another enclosure to receive guests. There is a summer pavilion, with a wind tower, and a winter pavilion with a southern exposure for warmth. This newly registered city to UNESCO Heritage list, Yazd is one of the usual destinations to the Iran tours during the cool seasons.
8) Pahlavan Pour Garden, Mehriz
Pahlavanp Pour historical Garden is one of a kind and has been constructed based on the design of original Iranian gardens. The historical buildings in this garden have created an especial bond between the nature and art of architecture, and dates back to the Qajarid era. It is situated in the city of Mehriz in Yazd Province, central Iran. Although this garden has been constructed in the Qajarid era, the hallmarks of the architectural styles, belonging to Zandieh era, are evident in different parts of this orchard. This garden is owned by the Yazdi businessman, Ali Pahlavan-Pour. Due to its unique features, this garden has been registered among Iran’s historical monuments in the year 2002.
9) Akbariyeh Garden, Birjand
Akbariyeh Garden and mansion is a historical monument of Birjand, South Khorasan Province. The garden was built during Qajar Dynasty and has been registered in UNESCO World Heritage Sites in 2011.