This article throws light upon the six important gardens and parks of Iran. The gardens and parks are: 1. Bagh-e-Eram (The Garden of Paradise) 2. Shazdeh Garden (Kerman Province) 3. The Garden of Golestan Palace of Tehran 4. Niavaran Park, Tehran, Iran 5. Sadi Tomb Gardens (Shiraz, Iran) 6. Aramgah-e-Hafez (Shiraz, Iran).
1. Bagh-e-Eram (The Garden of Paradise):
This is of the most celebrated garden of Shiraz and dates back from the reign of Naserod din shah Quasar. It is situated at a distance of less than kilometer to the north-west of Shiraz, on the north side of the dry river bed which makes the natural north boundary of the city. This is a spacious garden which have may cypresses tress and magnificent building and a hall decorated with mirror facets and a fine stone edged tank.
Among the cypresses trees in the garden, there is one very tall and symmetrical cypresses tree (300 year old) which specially attracts attention. It is called Sarv-e-Naz, signifying cypress whose branches stretch out regularly in all directions and there is no tree of its kind to compare with it anywhere else in the country.
2. Shazdeh Garden (Kerman Province):
This remarkable garden was made in the 1890 by the governor of Kerman – Mr. Abdol hamid Mirza Naserodol of Qasar dynasty and was left unfinished due to death of Abdol Hamid Mirza in early 1890. It is a rectangular green oasis surrounded by brown desert.
The garden covers the area of 5.5 ha and has wall around it. It consists of an entrance structure and gate at lower end and a two floor residential structure at the upper end. The distance between two is ornamented with water fountains and they work with natural incline of the land. The garden is a good example of Persian garden that takes the advantage of suitable natural climate. Mostly plantation is done with cypresses.
3. The Garden of Golestan Palace of Tehran:
This is the oldest historic monument in Tehran. It belongs to a group of royal buildings that were once enclosed with the mud thatched wall of Tehran’s historic Arg (Castle). During Pahlavi Dynasty (1925-1979), Golestan Palace was used for formal royal receptions.
The most important ceremony was held in the palace during Pahlavi era where coronation of Reza Khan (1925-1941) in Takht-e-Marmar and the coronation of Mohmmad Reza Pahlavi (1941-1979) in the Museum Hall. On October 11, 2005 the cultural organization of Iran Submitted the Palace to UNESCO for inclusion into world Heritage list. It is under cultural heritage and being operated by them for 2007 onward.
4. Niavaran Park, Tehran, Iran:
It is a public park and located within Niavaran district and is situated immediately south of Niavaran Park complex. The exquisite scenery and mild weather of Tehran has made Niavaran Park as a tourist spot. Tourists and locals choose the park for their week end picnics. It has water tank, fountains and is properly planted with trees and flowers.
5. Sadi Tomb Gardens (Shiraz, Iran):
It was an oasis in desert and it was being celebrated over many centuries. It has a spring and subterranean fish pond supplied by a quanaut. Tomb was built after the poet’s death but garden was made in 20th century mostly planted with Cypresses semperuirens, Borassus flabelliformis and flowers.
6. Aramgah-e-Hafez (Shiraz, Iran):
Hafez is a revered poet of Iran. Every Friday day many people come at his tomb and pay their respect. There are two memorial structures erected. The open pavilion structures are situated in Musella garden which was built in 1773. The building was built in 1935. Several rectangular pools have been added and well maintained orange trees, paths, streams and flower beds create a pleasant environment. The dome of Hafez’s tomb is well lit at night.
List of Trees in Iranian Gardens:
Cypresses sempervirens, Juniperous excelsa, Phoenix dactylifera, Alnus glutinosa, Buxus semperuiens, Castanea satiua, Betula pendula, Quercus up, Laurus nobilis, Tilea tomentosa, Platanus orientalis, Punica granatum, Prunus, cerasifera, Prunus, dulcis, Prunus persica, Prunus spinosa, Sorbus terminals, Citrus aurantium, Citrus limonium, Acer campesiri, Ulmus glabra, Zelkova carpeiuifolia, Populus nigra, Populus alba, Salix alba, Salix ciminalis, Morus alba, Morus nigra.