Aali Qapu Palace

Isfahan Aali Qapu palace is located on the western side of Naqsh-e Jahan Square or Imam Square of Isfahan. Aali Qapu Palace is currently a six-story building with a height of 36 meters, considering the ground floor as the first floor.

Due to the different parts added to the building during the construction period, the palace has a different view in every direction. It looks like a two-story building from the east and a five-story building from the west. This building is square in shape, with unique decorations in each floor. In general, Aali Qapu building has three staircases, two of which are located on the northwest and southwest sides of the building in a symmetrical and spiral manner, which continues to the top floor. The third staircase, which is known as the royal staircase, starts from the first floor and leads to the columned porch.

The History of Isfahan Aali Qapu Palace

Aali Qapu Palace of Isfahan, which was built by the decree of Shah Abbas I, was also the residence, the portal to the royal palaces and the hall where the king received high-ranking guests. The foundation of Isfahan Aali Qapu Palace was laid in 1597 and the construction of the whole building took more than seventy years in several stages; moreover, this palace was restored many times. Most likely, the architect of the building was Master Ali Akbar Isfahani. Regarding the name of Aali Qapu, two narrations have been mentioned; some have considered it synonymous with the Great gate of the Ottoman Sultans' Palace while others have originally considered it as Ali Qapu, because later Shah Abbas brought one of the doors of Hazrat Ali Shrine from Najaf and installed it inside the building. It should be mentioned that in the past, Aali Qapu Palace was also referred to as "Mobarak Dowlatkhane" (Blessed Government) and Government Palace. During the reign of Shah Abbas II, a porch or a column-hall with 18 wooden columns was attached to the third floor of the building, which was called the Shahneshin (king’s palace); ceremonies and demonstrations held in Naqsh-e Jahan Square such as polo, horseback riding, shooting and military parade were seen by the king and his guests from Shahneshin. In fact, this part was the place where the king communicated with the people and could even be the place where the king delivered sermons and met the people.

Decorations of Isfahan Aali Qapu Palace

What makes Aali Qapu distinguished is the beauty of its impressive decorations. For instance, the exterior decorations in this building are made of bricks; this brick structure is decorated with seven-colored tiles along with Islamic ornaments and lines in the crescent sections above each entrance. The interior decoration of Aali Qapu Palace is also one of the most interesting architectural parts of this building, with unique decorations in each floor. The first floor is decorated with very delicate and beautiful plastering with Islamic motifs. The second floor, which is said to be the residence of servants and guards, has a roof with very beautiful patterns similar to Persian carpets. The third floor, which seems to be the hall to receive guests, is very impressive with decorations such as porcelain layer, gilding, painting, and plastering. The sixth floor, which is the most impressive floor of Aali Qapu Palace in Isfahan, has amazing hollow plastering in the shape of dishes. The interesting point in this section is the difference in the frequency of the music in a way that the sounds are heard with excellent quality due to the creation of a special environment and the creation of hollow shapes; as a result, this part is also referred to as the music hall. Aali Qapu Palace, along with other monuments in Naghsh-e Jahan Square in Isfahan province, was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1979.

This palace is one of the most beautiful and interesting attractions of Isfahan province; you can join the tours of Persian Trips to enjoy this architectural masterpiece.

 

Tags: Isfahan Province, Isfahan Attractions, UNESCO World Heritage Sites, Palaces in Iran, Iran Historical Attractions, Aali Qapu Palace

Print