#37 Gaze at the Hall of Mirrors and Hall of Diamonds in Tehran’s Golestan Palace, Iran
The palace can trace its roots back to the 1500s, when it used to be part of Tehran’s citadel during the Safavid period.
It has seen many transformations under the hands of different dynasties – and become many things over the course of its history – since then: royal residence, venue for formal receptions and even coronations.
Nevertheless, the complex is a great example of Persian architecture, what with its museums and halls; gardens and arches; marble, tile and wood work; lattice windows, mosaics and stone carvings.
But there are two particular areas you shouldn’t miss: the Hall of Mirrors and the Hall of Diamonds.
Both are known for their stunning mirror work and ornamentation. The former was built during the 1870s. The latter – which was built in the early 1800s but got modified later on – is made up of the main hall with side rooms and corridors.
Entrance to Golestan Palace costs about IRR150,000 (S$8); then the museums and halls go for about IRR50,000 (S$3) each.
Check out how a Singaporean travelled to Iran and received a marriage proposal.
Text done by Ana Ismail.
