Discover Shazdeh Mahan Garden in Iran

Author : asal | Date : Saturday 06 April 2024 16:44

Shahzdeh Mahan's garden includes a tall wall, a pool and a jumper leading to a large mansion with thick trees are some of the things that make up Iranian gardens in general. The history of this style of garden dates back to the Achaemenid era and the reign of Great Cyrus.

Regular geometry was established in the garden around the palaces on the orders of Great Cyrus, which later evolved from the architecture of the Sassanid Empire and pre-Islamic periods, and as we see it today. The Magnificent Shazdeh Mahan Garden is also built in such a way to show Iranian art again. 

About Shahzadeh Mahan Historical Garden

Shazdeh Mahan Garden is located 2 km from Mahan city and around Kerman city. The garden, which dates back to the Qajar dynasty, is built on the slopes of the Tigran Mountains to enjoy the beautiful nature in addition to the pleasant weather. 

"Mohammad Hassan Khan Sardar Iravani" The ruler of Kerman initially ordered the construction of this garden. Later, the gardens were built halfway through by the next ruler Abdulhamid Mirza Naserdullah.

If you visit the garden, you will find that some of its parts lack decorative and elegant work, which is why this halfway is to get rid of it. The thing that is quite clear when watching a garden is the contradiction that its lush environment has a dry environment outside its walls. This garden looks like a beautiful piece of the desert, and this is what added to its charm. 

The Shazdeh Mahan Garden, with an area of about 5.5 hectares, is located in two eastern and western complexes and is considered one of the most beautiful Iranian gardens. The length of the garden is 407 and its width is 122 meters. At the front entrance, you will see the beautiful porch of the garden. It looks like a picture frame that portrays mansions, pools, fountains, and garden trees. The basement or the main building is at the top of the garden, courtyard, mansion, and baths of the garden. 

Today, this eye-catching garden is an addition to preserving historical values and architecture as a promenade and incorporating facilities such as the hotel and restaurant. The reputation and popularity of this garden are so great that many people prefer to celebrate the New Year's event in Iranian culture here. This masterpiece of architecture is one of the UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

Shazdeh Garden: A Historical Gem in Iran's Landscape

1. Location: Nestled in Iran's Kerman Province, an oasis in the desert.
2. Era: Conceived during the Qajar Dynasty, late 19th century.
3. Founders: Initially started by Mohammad Hassan Khan, Governor of Kerman, in the 1850s. The garden reached its zenith under Abdolhamid Mirza Naserodoleh in the 1870s.
4. Size: Spans approximately 5.5 hectares.
5. Design: A masterpiece of Persian garden design, featuring a central axis with pools and fountains leading to a majestic two-story palace.
6. Engineering Marvel: Utilizes qanats (underground water channels) for irrigation, showcasing Persian ingenuity in hydraulic engineering.
7. Vegetation: Lush with towering cypress trees, blossoming flowers, and greenery defying the surrounding desert.
8. UNESCO Status: Inscribed as part of "The Persian Garden" in 2011, highlighting its global cultural and historical significance.
9. Symbolism: Represents a piece of paradise on Earth, reflecting the Persian concept of an earthly garden mirroring heavenly ones.
10. Legacy: Shazdeh Garden stands as a testament to human creativity, a bridge between past and present, and a custodian of history and beauty.

Fountains and Smart water system

One of the hallmarks of Shazdeh Mahan Garden is the presence of waterfalls and fountains, the flow of water on the vertical and horizontal levels, and the use of the slope of the ground for water guidance, which is used by Shrewd architects and artists. These fountains are very cleverly built and are only active based on height difference, slope application, and no other force. In this system, the jars are used which, as a result of joining together, can play a role like building pipes.

Flowing water flows through the gardens inside these jars until it reaches one of the jars that play the role of the knee in modern plumbing systems and then erupts from the outside. The dance of the fountains is among the most spectacular and fascinating parts of the Prince's Garden, which can be considered one of the most beautiful fountains in Iranian gardens.

A large number of these fountains are located in the Shazdeh Mahan Garden, and fewer gardens can fit this number of fountains. An interesting point is that the samples of the fountains in the two original basins are less visible in Iranian gardens, and most likely, they come from the recognition of European gardens and springs. 

The magnificence of architectural art in the Shazdeh Mahan Garden

Shazdeh Mahan Garden is an example of an Iranian flat garden (flat and stepped gardens) in a 407-by-122-meter-wide plot covering an area of 7.5 hectares. At the entrance to the garden, you will see an image of the mansion, the fountain, and the trees, which is like a beautiful photo frame. On the upper floor, there are living rooms.

The Shah's branch is now run as a restaurant by the private sector, which, of course, has also brought protests from UNESCO. The structure of the bridges leading to the mansion, along with water fountains and terracotta trees that create a variety of harmonies in different chapters, have provided beautiful beauty to the garden, which can only be seen by closely seeing its effect. Shazdeh Mahan Garden was restored in 1979, but unfortunately in the year 1360, damage occurred due to the earthquake, which was rebuilt again. However, it is well protected today.

Shazdeh and Other Persian Gardens: Size, Features, UNESCO Status

Last Word

The Shazdeh Mahan Garden is a magnificent example of Persian garden design, displaying a unique blend of architecture and landscaping. It's characterized by its stunning water features, lush greenery, and the harmonious integration of the built environment with nature. This garden, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, serves as a testament to the sophistication of Persian garden planning and the cultural importance of such spaces in Iranian history.

FAQ

Important questions about Shazdeh Mahan Garden:

What is the best season to visit Shazdeh Garden?

Because Kerman has warm weather and is usually full of travelers, the end of the winter season is the best time to visit Prince Garden.

Is the cost of a taxi from Kerman to Shazdeh Garden high?

The cost of an internet taxi from Kerman to Shazdeh Garden is about 100 thousand tomans.

Is there a car parking place in Shazdeh Mahan Garden?

Yes, there is a fairly large outdoor parking next to the garden.