The Hasht Behesht Mansion, whose grandeur and beauty have led many tourists to its splendor, is one of the most spectacular mansions in ancient city of Isfahan. This historical palace located in Isfahan, was built in the Safavid era in the year 1080 AH during the reign of Shah Soleiman Safavid. Later on, in the former capitals of Safavid dynasty, Tabriz and Qazvin, buildings with the same name were built, which no longer exist but the Hasht Behesht Palace of Isfahan remains as an unparalled masterpiece of Safavid architecture.
Hasht Behesht means eight paradises! The beautiful garden, in which the Hasht Behesht Mansion is located, is part of a great garden of the Naghsh-e Jahan Garden known as the Nightingale Garden. There is nothing else left of this large garden today but an enchanting beautiful park has been built around it in recent years.
The Hasht Behesht Palace was considered as one of the most beautiful palaces in the world at that time. Other names of this historic mansion are as follows: Hasht be hasht, Hasht dar behesht and Bolbol garden.
Hasht Behesht Palace is the only remaining palace (Kooshk) among the palaces and mansions Isfahan’s Chahar Bagh area from the Safavid period. The two-storey mansion of the Hasht Behesht palace has beautiful arches and vaults and fascinating decorations. Hasht Behesht is one of the unique examples of Safavid amazing architecture.
Hasht Behesht Historical Mansion is an example of the palaces of residence of the last kings of the Safavid era. One of the striking features of Isfahan’s Hasht Behesht Garden is that this historical garden and its mansion are located right in the center of the city. Right in the heart of the modern world!
Hasht Behesht mansion has so many rooms. According to historical evidence, there used to be a Howz (a small pool in old Persian houses) inside some of them. The walls of the rooms are artfully mirrored and the eye-catching decorations and unique architecture used on the ceiling of this mansion are unlike any other palaces. As important as the roofs and ceilings are in Isfahan’s architecture, the ceiling of this palace, as well as other historical mansions in this city, is astonishingly beautiful.
The central part of the palace is built in a four Sofeh shape (a platform without a ceiling above the courtyard) and the porch (Ivan) faces north. It is an octagonal mansion with four facades and with all the similarities, yet none is the same. The northern facade seems to be the main facade of this palace. However, the presence of a Howz (pool) on the east side determines the main facade. The stairs are designed in a way that you can pass through the upper and lower floors on each side.
The ceiling of this palace is adorned with beautiful and well-designed plaster Mogharnas. The amazing paintings of animals and birds on the tiles of this beautiful palace are one of the wonders of this fascinating garden.
The decorations of the first floor rooms in the four corners of the mansion consist of amazing plaster works and beautiful paintings. The second floor also includes porches, rooms, vaults and windows that have doubled its beauty.
In the middle of the palace is a marble Howz called “the pearl Howz”. This name refers to pearl-like drops of water that were pouring from the fountain.
Overall, the elegant architecture of the Hasht Behesht Palace in Isfahan is amazingly magnificent and has always been of interest to visitors, especially foreign tourists.
Another reason for you to visit this beautiful garden and its amazing mansion is that it has easy access to other tourist attractions in the city.
