We landed at Tehran Imam Khomeini International Airport around 10.30pm local time. Weather was cold, but still bearable. By the time we settled everything (bought IranTel simcards - the registrations took some time) at the airport, it was already past midnight. The city of Tehran was about an hour drive from the airport. Took a taxi and went straight to our hotel, Ziba Hotel. Had a good rest before waking up early the next morning to begin our journey to explore Tehran.
View from our room @ Hotel Ziba
Started our day with breakfast served at the hotel...
Typical Iranian breakfast as we found out later hehe
Excited to start the day 😘
We only have a few hours here in Tehran, so we decided to go to the famous Golestan Palace.
The reason why we chose to stay at Ziba Palace is because of its strategic location where we can just walk to Golestan Palace.
Enjoying our morning walk to Golestan Palace.
Along the way, we could see beautiful buildings displaying excellent Persian architecture...
We passed by the Tehran Bazaar on the way to the palace...
Herbs shop at the Tehran Bazaar..
The shopkeeper was waving his hand and welcoming us to his country. Surprisingly, I found the Iranian people are nice and friendly 👍
As we did not have much time in Tehran, we did not stay long at the bazaar... just lalu and cuci mata only 👀
The gate to Golestan Palace...
The Golestan Palace (Palace of Flowers) was once the heart of Tehran and monument to the glories and excesses of the Qajar rulers. It is now one of world heritage sites that has been recognised by UNESCO. In its present status, Golestan Palace is the result of 400 years constructions and renovations... wow! 😳
This palace is made up of several grand buildings set around a beautifully landscaped garden. Admission fee is IRR460,000 for entrance of 3 buildings and we were given this informative guide on the sites :
The first building we saw after we entered the palace area is Takh-e Marmar (Marble Throne Terrace).
The Marble Throne
The throne is made of 65 pieces of marble... very the grand! 😱 This area was used for coronation of the Qajar Kings and formal court ceremonies.
Khalvate-e Karim Khani
Khalvate-e Karim Khani was built in Karim Khan's era. It was believed that Karim Khan's corpse to be dig from his grave and buried under the stairs of this building, his daily path... spooky eh? 👻
The Main Hall - Where the Coronation Hall, Mirror Hall, Ivory Hall and Porcelain Hall are located.
This place is so grand that we have to cover our shoes when entering it.
I wish I could share some pics of the grand halls but unfortunately no photos are allowed in here.
I wish I could share some pics of the grand halls but unfortunately no photos are allowed in here.
Mirror Hall is the most famous of all halls in this palace. It is famous for its extraordinary mirror work.... typical Iranian architecture that is so grand and intricate!
Ivory Hall is a large hall used as a dining room. This room is decorated with gifts presented to Nasser ed Din Shah by European monarchs.
Porcelains Hall is a hall that is full with chinawares that were dedicated to Qajar Kings by the European Kings. These chinawares were arranged in showcases which were built for this purpose.
Beautiful landscaping in front of the main hall.
There were lots of visitors, local and foreigner tourists in the palace area when we wander around this site. Like I said before, Iranian people are actually quite nice and friendly. Many asked where we come from and later welcome us to their country.
Among the friendly locals who requested to take pictures with us 😍
Terasa retis pulak hihi..
There are lots of beautifully decorated walls depicting Persian arts in the Golestan Palace area.. they are just stunning and I so ❤️ these walls...
Shams ol Emarah (Edifice of the Sun)
Shams ol Emarah is considered the most stunning structure of Golestan Palace. The idea of building a tall structure came to Naseer Din Shah who wanted a structure from which he could have panoramic views of the city.
The building has two identical towers. The exterior walls have intricate tile works... so beautiful!
Emarat e Badgir (Windcatcher Palace)
The Wind-catcher Palace was constructed during the reign of Fath Ali Shah and went major renovations during reign of Naseer ed Din Shah.
The Wind-cathers are constructed to allow the cooling wind move through the structure.
This building is flanked by two rooms known as gushvar(corner-like). There is a central room which boosts the finest stained glass window in Golestan Palace.
Amazingly beautiful!
Mr and Mrs ❤️
More stunning walls to be admired 😀
Leaving the palace at last.. by then all of us were already hungry...
Time to find good food in Tehran...
*** to be continued ***
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