Narenjestan Garden or Qavam House in Shiraz

Narenjestan Garden or Qavam House in Shiraz is one of the most beautiful and praised Persian gardens one will love to visit. Qavam House was built during the Qajar period in the late 19th century. At that time, the Qavam family was among the political figures of Shiraz, and Qavam House was the residential place of the Qavam family and the office for their administration. Since the garden has an abundance of sour orange trees, people call it Narenjestan or the orange garden as well. Today, the Narenjestan museum is open to the public and it is one of the main attractions of Shiraz that hosts many tourists who travel to Iran.

Narenjestan Garden embraces an eye-catching monument in the heart of the garden

A UNESCO World Heritage Site

Narenjestan garden is a great sample of the gorgeous Persian gardens of Iran. Persian gardens generally have a rectangular form consisting of four quarters abundant in trees and flowers, streams and pathways, ponds and fountains, a central pavilion, and the walls surrounding the garden. Similar to the Persian gardens registered on UNESCO World Heritage List such as Eram Garden in Shiraz, Shazdeh Garden in Kerman, and Dowlatabad Garden in Yazd, Narenjestan Garden embraces an eye-catching monument in the heart of the garden facing a stone pool and some fountains surrounded by date palms and sour orange trees that altogether bring about a pleasant atmosphere.

Persian Garden Architecture

Narenjestan complex is divided into south and north sections. Narenjestan monument, the most picturesque part of the garden catches visitors’ eyes as soon as they take a step forward within the garden. The monument has elaborate architecture embellished with various Persian arts such as paintings, stucco, wood carving, stone carving, tile work, and mirror work. It has a magnificent iwan or porch with 2 stone columns. The porch has fabulous decorations on its ceiling and walls. On both sides of the porch, there are symmetrical decorated rooms as well.

The monument has an elaborate architecture embellished with various Persian arts

Narenjestan Museum

The basement of the monument displays a variety of colorful glasses. It was designed and built elaborately to provide a cool atmosphere throughout the hot summer days of Shiraz; however, today, it has been turned into the Narenjestan museum, and currently, it is one of the most prominent regional and national museums in Iran. About Forty years ago, Narenjestan Garden was handed over to Shiraz University and subsequently was turned into the center for Asian studies. The Asia Institute was directed by Arthur Upham Pope and Richard Nelson Frye. With the cooperation of Persian art scholars, they established the Narenjestan museum in order to display newly discovered artistic and historical pieces.

A National Heritage Site

Narenjestan-e-Qavam museum and garden have maintained the elegance of the 19the century lifestyle enjoyed by the upper-class families in the Qajar period. It is one of the luxurious attractions of Shiraz. It embraces Persian arts, especially stucco, traditional painting, mirrorwork, brickwork, Moaraq, stone carving, and wood carving. Along with all the great Persian arts visible in the complex, the sound of birds chirping in the garden, and the shadow of sour orange trees and palm trees along the fountains all together bring peace and quiet to the tourists. It is quite pleasurable to have a stroll across the garden, take pictures, and admire Narenjestan’s elegance. Narenjestan Garden or Qavam house in Shiraz has been registered as a national heritage site and it is one of the magnificent tourist attractions that impress many national and international visitors.

The basement of the Narenjestan Garden monument displays a variety of colorful glasses

Zinat-ol-Molk House

On the west side of Narenjestan monument, pay a visit to Khane Zinat-ol-Molk (Zinat-ol-Molk House) as well. The residence was built by the Qavam-ol-Molk family in the late 19th century. It includes 20 decorated rooms embellished with mirrors, stucco, and paintings. The first floor of the house is a great wax museum called the Fars museum of history. It is home to wax, stone, and wood statues of more than sixty dominant personalities from Fars province. The variety of statues has made the Fars museum of history a popular destination for Iranians and international tourists who travel to Shiraz. Travel to Iran and visit its invaluable historical attractions.

Are you planning to travel to Iran? Please read Things to do in Shiraz and Check out our Iran tours.