Persian gardens are an evident symbols of the Iranian culture of wisdom, thinking, creativity and genius. Their lofty trees, beautiful sweet-scented flowers and relaxing music of water running through them, catches the attention of every visitor. Persian gardens resemble Eden and four Zoroastrian elements of earth, sky, water and plants. These gardens are surrounded lands divided to four sections (Chahar Bagh, meaning four gardens), and water flow plays an important role in their architecture. There are 9 Persian gardens which were inscribed in UNESCO’s World Heritage Site. From some common features of these gardens are as followes:

1. Being surrounded by tall walls.
2. Attention to symmetry.
3. Having a string running through or of a having a Qanat line in the vicinity.
4. Having a large building with unique architecture in the middle of the garden.
5. Rhythm and harmony among garden, water and architecture

1. Table of Contents

   The garden of Pasargadae, the mother of Persian gardens

This garden dates back to 550 years B.C, constructed by the order of Cyrus the Great and is the earliest known example of the Persian Chahar Bagh (four gardens). A large part of the garden has been ruined over the years.

The garden of Pasargadae, the mother of Persian gardens

2. Chehel Sotoun (40 columns) Garden, a garden with an extraordinary palace

The reason of the naming is that Chehel Sotoun Palace has 20 columns, but their reflection on the pool’s water doubles their number. Having an area of 67000 square meters, its palace is famous for the stunning and extraordinary paintings and mirror works.

Chehel Sotoun (40 columns) Garden, a garden with an extraordinary palace

3. Eram Garden, one of Iran’s most beautiful gardens

Located in Shiraz, The garden’s history dates back to Seljuk dynasty and its two famous features are: the variety of plants and the mansion’s architecture. It has Achaemenid columns, Zand architectural style and inner decorations with colorful tiles. The mansion’s crescent-like sections on its façade have stunning paintings of Shahnameh.

Eram Garden, one of Iran’s most beautiful gardens

4. Fin Garden, the most political garden of Iran

Fin garden is located in Kashan and its construction dates back to Safavid dynasty. The garden’s historical bath was the killing place of Amir Kabir, the famous Qajar Chief Minister. Water from a spring runs through turquoise blue pools and canals, making a marvelous display.

Fin Garden, the most political garden of Iran

5. 

   Dowlatabad Garden, home to world’s tallest wind catcher

Located in Yazd with a history of 200 years, it has a gorgeous mansion with the world’s tallest wind catcher with 33 meters.

6. Shazdeh Mahan Garden, a green gem in desert areas

This garden is located in Kerman and has a rectangular plan, with many fountains that cause the garden’s fresh and pleasant air. These fountains were built wisely, only based on height difference and slope usage, so they run without any machine force.

Shazdeh Mahan Garden, a green gem in desert areas

7. Pahlavanpur Garden, a combination of art and nature

It is the greenest garden located in Yazd province and is famous for the water streams passing through it, originating from Hasanabad Qanat, which makes the garden so green with pleasant air.

Pahlavanpur Garden, a combination of art and nature

8. Akbariyeh Historical Mansion and Garden, a garden in a mountainous village

Having a surface area of about 45000 square meters, it is located in Birjand, south Khorasan province and its architecture was influenced by Russian style. It has decorations like wood carvings, stunning plaster works and stained glass decorations.

Akbariyeh Historical Mansion and Garden, a garden in a mountainous village

9. Abbas Abad Garden, a garden in the heart of jungle

Located in Behshahr city of Mazandaran province, it is the only garden in non-desert climates of Iran, and the most important, beautiful garden in north of Iran, famous for its marvelous artificial lake. Its most noteworthy feature is clay pipes, which were used to direct the water, flow and create water movement music.

Abbas Abad Garden, a garden in the heart of jungle