Introduction to the Orangery Consistency
On Lotfali Khan Zand Street in Shiraz City, there’s a garden which, by walking through, will take you deep into history. This garden, as a relic from the Qajar era, is known as Ghavam Garden. Also, due to the construction inside the garden, is called the Ghavam Orangery. Ghavam Garden (Narenjestan Garden) is located in the area that is the end east -point of the old Shiraz.
History of the Ghavam Family
Ghavam Orangery Garden, known as Ghavam Garden, Orange Garden Garden, and Ghavam-ol-Molk Garden, was built between 1257 and 1267 AH during the reign of Nasser al-Din Shah Qajar. This valuable building was built as Ali Mohammad Khan Ghavam ordered, from two exterior and interior parts for political, military affairs, and meeting with foreign ambassadors. The Ghavam dynasty was one of the most influential and powerful families of the Qajar period who ruled Persia and its environs for several centuries.
The family was a descendant of Haj Ibrahim Khan, the sheriff of Shiraz, who lived in the Bala Kaft neighborhood. This building was donated to Shiraz University in 1345 by Ebrahim Ghavam-ol-Molk, and today it has become one of the best tourist attractions in Shiraz, attracting many tourists from all over the world every year. This family built many of the incredible monuments in Shiraz, including: Ghavam Hosseinieh, Afifabad Garden, Delgosha Garden, Sheriff’s Garden, Bigler Beigi Garden, Zinat al-Molk House and Ghavam Narenjestan.
Architecture of Narenjestan Garden
What catches the eye at first is the unique architecture of the monument. By stepping into the building, you will be mesmerized with this collection of orange and palm trees and stunning garden flowers. As you pass the main door, you enter a corridor in which you will find an inscription that details the introduction of the building. The charming shapes of the soldiers on both sides of the gate, the decoration of brickwork, tiling, and masonry of the corridor will lead you to the garden.
Narenjestan Garden Mansion
The main building with mirrors depicts the culmination of Qajar art. The unique patterns of the ceilings, the masterpiece of mirror work at the Hall of Mirrors, the exterior decorations of both the main mansion and the mansion of Zinat al-Muluk located inside this garden, and the imaginary foyer of the main mansion, dazzle every viewer. In designing this garden, seven Persian arts have been used, which has multiplied the value of the garden.
Ghavam Orangery Decor
In the design of Ghavam Orangery Consistency, the porch or mirror hall of the garden is located in the middle, and the rooms are harmoniously on its right and left. On the walls of the porch, magnificent beds can be seen, which gives reality to the exact meaning of Qajar art. Also, the whole floor of the hall is covered with white and blue tiles, which have added to its beauty.
One of the unique features of this building is that Narenjestan Ghavam is the first building in the city whose roof is covered with a metal roof like a gable. Fully carved woods are used. After entering the main room next to the porch, you will encounter a stunning mirror ceiling that can spell you for hours. It is interesting to know that a museum has been built in the garden of Narenjestan Ghavam, where the objects donated by Professor Pope, an American Iranologist, are kept.