Shazdeh Garden

First, let's get acquainted with gardens and the concept of the Persian garden. Iran is situated in a hot and dry belt, where temperatures in the central desert can exceed 60 degrees Celsius in the shade. In summer, the heat can be so intense that you could easily fry an egg on a rock or heat water in a dark bowl to boiling point. In such a land, gardens are considered a piece of paradise. Planting trees and creating gardens in this hot region is seen as a spiritual act, and many individuals have dedicated gardens to the public as a form of charity. The Persian garden has a unique system of construction and maintenance that differs significantly from other gardens around the world. The design of these gardens, especially in desert cities, is rooted in the ideological principles of Islam and the introspective culture that has permeated the very essence of every Iranian for over 3,000 years.

Persian Garden

The Persian garden has distinctive characteristics, which can be summarized as follows:
- The Persian garden is always enclosed, reflecting a culture of introspection and security.
- To protect against invasions, military structures like towers and fortifications are often integrated into the corners and walls, with thick and sturdy doors.
- A water source, such as a qanat, river, small stream, or spring, is essential for irrigation and consumption within the garden, with an outlet to allow excess clean water to flow out, maintaining its purity.
- The garden typically features fruit-bearing trees for summer harvest, while cypress trees are planted along the edges to provide shade and protect against wind and dust.
- Usually, at the highest point of the garden, a structure called a "Koushk" (pavilion) is built, serving as the residence for the garden's owners. These pavilions, often constructed by nobles and aristocrats, are beautifully adorned with various forms of Iranian art, including painting, stucco work, gilding, and mirror work, often crafted by skilled artisans.
- In front of the Koushk, a long, shallow pool is constructed, serving as a water reservoir, enhancing the beauty of the building through reflection, and slightly humidifying the air through evaporation.
- Some Koushks feature windcatchers to passively cool the air in summer, while in winter, these windcatchers are sealed to prevent cold air from entering.
- Water from the qanat or spring flows through small channels called "Jou" within the garden, irrigating the trees. These channels converge and exit the garden, allowing the precious water to be used by others downstream.
- Fountains made of pottery are installed in the center of pools and channels to enhance the atmosphere and improve the dry, warm environment. In the absence of electric or mechanical pumps, gravity and the principle of connected vessels create pressure differences, allowing water to flow through modular clay pipes and activate the fountains.
- The use of stone and brick for flooring is limited to the edges of the Koushk, preserving the natural soil and form of the garden, maintaining its authentic appearance.
- Goldfish were often kept in the pools to help keep the water clean by eating crustaceans and other microscopic organisms.
Today, most of these gardens are owned by organizations and municipalities, serving as recreational areas open to the public.
The Persian garden holds a special place in Iranian culture, reflected in the poetry and writings of the nation. For example, the prose of the great Iranian poet, Sheikh Mosleh al-Din Saadi, is titled "Golestan" (The Rose Garden), which is a metaphor for the Persian garden itself. In the Persian garden, seasonal flowers and Iranian roses are cultivated for rosewater extraction, making springtime in the Persian garden incredibly beautiful and enchanting. Now, let's delve into the Shazdeh Garden located near Kerman.

About Shazdeh Garden

Shazdeh Garden, also known as the Prince Garden, is one of Iran's historical gardens. It is situated about 2 kilometers from the city of Mahan, near Kerman, at the foothills of the Tigran Mountains, and dates back to the late Qajar dynasty. The garden is located at an elevation of 2020 meters above sea level. It was added to the national heritage list in 1974 and was inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2011.

History of Shazdeh Garden

This garden was initially commissioned by Mohammad Hassan Khan Sardar Iravani, the then governor of Kerman, and was later completed by Abdol Ahmad Mirza Nasir al-Dowleh, the subsequent governor. Construction took 11 years, but unfortunately, after the governor's death, the project was left