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INTRODUCTION
The tradition and style in the garden design of Persian gardens has influenced the design of gardens from
Spain to India and beyond.
• The Persian garden styles follow the gardening styles of Egypt.
• The local climate, high walled structures, shady trees, water streams and fountains are the factors which
makes the Persian garden a paradise on earth.
HISTORY
Persian gardens originated in 4000 BCE.
The decorated pottery of that time shows the typical cross plan of the Persian gardens.
This style is best seen in Cyrus the Great's garden which was built-in around 500 BCE.
During the reign of Sassanids and under the influence of
Zoroastrianism, water was considered an important factor in
the art of garden. The greater emphasis was given on ponds
and fountains in the garden.
During the Arab occupation, gardens were built by taking
into consideration aesthetic rules.
− The best example of this is 'Chaar Bagh', with four rivers
and four quadrants representing the world.
The Pasargadae at Cyrus’s time
After 18th century, European Garden design began to influence Persia, especially those of France,
Russia and United Kingdom.
FEATURES
These gardens are enclosed. “Pairi daeza” means enclosed space in Persian language.
The main purpose behind building such gardens was to provide relaxation in different manner such as
spiritual, leisurely (e.g. meetings with friends).
The construction of garden may have an emphasis either on nature or on structure, however the main
thing this garden should allow is maximization of function.
The Persian gardens were built as a retreat from the harsh landscape.
A high surrounding wall- These gardens are closed and walled and have very little association with the
area outside these walls.
What really distinguishes Persian garden from the gardens of other nations, however, is the unique and
intricate geometrical design that governs it.
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− Square and rectangle are the predominant shapes.
− Despite their precise spacing and order, Persian gardens still manage to create a range of different
spaces within their main space by using various natural and man-made materials that differ in shapes
and sizes.
The garden's construction may be
phasis on nature)
The most important factor of Persian gardens is to build shade type structures wherever necessary in
the garden. This helps to cope with hot climates and keep the atmosphere cool. - Pavilion or gazebo .
The Persian gardens necessarily have a central water feature or ponds as water is the soul of these
gardens. Fountains tend to be more of modern Persian garden design. It is a best way save water and
maintain with the original design consisting of a water structure.
The gardens have crisp colors and clean alignments. Intricate mosaic tiles are occasionally used in these
gardens.
The garden can be conservative, refined, formal or relaxed and casual. The different garden designs
serve different purposes.
Arches play an important role in Persian garden designs. It shows typical Persian architectural theme.
These arches are made from stonework or sometimes wooden support which can be made appear as
original.
Symmetry is very important in these designs. The matching or mirroring elements can give enjoyment
and pleasure.
Straight tile-lined channels of water.
Trees for shade and fruit. Mostly cypress trees are found .
Strong emphasis on flowers in beds and pots.
THE FIVE ELEMENTS
There are five elements which contribute to the geometry of Persian gardens.
1.Perspective (or visualexpanse ofthe garden)
• The greater length of the garden is where its most significant elements are situated.
• Known as the spine of the garden, this area helps to create a space for meditation and
enjoyment from the day-to-day.
• Roads stretched into the horizon, brooks running to the end of the garden, little gardens within
the main garden, the natural slope of the land and the difference in vision angle from different
locations in the garden enriches the perspective of the space.
• Also, one of the main principles of Persian architecture is internalization and this is why
gardens are walled and enclosed spaces.
2.Water Pathway
• The main issue was to get water from distance points. For this purpose, Qanats and wells were
dug and constructed in the heart of the garden. Water flowing from these points would run into
well-spaced brooks and branch into different sections of the garden like water filled veins.
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3.Overall rectangular geometry of the garden
• This shape made locating a precise place for planting trees and implementation of other structural
elements much easier.
• It also helped to specifically frame a part of the earth by imposing a definite geometrical structure.
4.Symmetry
• The granges in the garden were not only built symmetrical but were also situated symmetrically.
Trees, shrubs and flowers were also planted this way.
5.Centralization ofcertain structures
• This is manifest in placement of granges, particularly granges of the Hasht Behesth (eight
paradises) design where granges are situated at the crossroads that divide the garden into different
sections and therefore draw more attention.
THE NATURAL ELEMENTS
• The important Persian garden elements are sunlight, shade, water, buildings.
• These elements provide relaxation in different manners such as spiritual, leisurely (e.g. meetings with
friends) etc. which is the primary aim of Persian garden which is considered as a paradise on earth.
• The Persian gardens often connect internal yard gardens with the surrounding outward gardens.
1.Sunlight
• The important factor to be considered while designing the Persian garden is sunlight and its effects in the
garden.
• Architects arranged the samples and forms from the rays of light to restrain the sunlight.
• The specific textures and shapes were chosen by the experienced architects to harness the light
2.Shade
• Shade is also an important element due to heat of Iran
• The Persian gardens includes trees, shrubs and trellises which work as biotic shades to provide protection
from strong sunrays.
• In these gardens we can see large number of big shade trees, fruit and flower trees as well.
• Walls and pavilions are also important in blocking the harsh sunrays.
3.Water
• In desert regions, there are many dry areas beside the many forests, therefore water comes as the next
important element in the Persian garden.
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• The underground water canals are built on slopes to facilitate either natural or the artificial flow of water
(waterfalls).
• It is assumed that this style of irrigation is thousand years old.
• This style works in the best way and widely used even in modern gardening styles. • For this purpose of
moving water around the surface water systems.
• Trees are planted in a ditch called a jub, to prevent water evaporation and allow quick access of water to the
tree roots.
4.Buildings
• In many of the Persian gardens, buildings of splendour, brick works and pavilions are seen.
• Iranian architects used to build domes on square buildings very skilfully. These enhance the beauty of these
gardens.
• In Persian gardens, beautiful arches were constructed. In front of many mansions and palaces of these
gardens, the water fountains were placed as the source of cool, peaceful atmosphere and pleasure.
• The beautiful types of glasses (e.g. stain glasses) were used for windows and other glass works.
THE DIFFERENT STYLES
FORMAL CASUAL
• Hayat (public and private)
• Meidan (public)
• Char Bagh (private)
• Bagh (private)
• Park (public)
HAYAT
• Layout highly emphasizes on aesthetics rather than
function.
• Man-made structures in the garden are particularly
important, with arches and pools(which may be used to
bathe).
• The ground often covered in gravel flagged with stone.
• The grounds are covered with gravels flagged with stones.
• Plantings are typically very simple such as a line of trees,
which also provide shade.
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• Structure centered.
• Few plants, often due to the limited water available in urban areas.
• These gardens are pool-centered.
• The pool serves as a focus and source of humidity for surrounding atmosphere.
MEIDAN
• This is a public, formal garden which emphasizes more on biotic
elements than structure.
• Here we see bedding plants, trees, shrubs, grasses, etc.
• In this garden also the elements like gravel pathways, pools divide
the lawns.
• The shade providing structures pavilions are also built.
CHAR BAGH
• These gardens are formal and private.
• The garden structure mainly consists of four quadrants divided by
pathways and waterways.
• This garden has a balanced structure with proper pathways and greenery
or plants around the periphery of the pool.
PARKS
• These are casual parks used for public functions.
• These are full of various plants.
• Here we see pathways and seating but these gardens are limited
in terms of structural elements.
• The purpose of such gardens is relaxation and socialization.
BAGH
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• Like other casual gardens, it focuses on natural and green aspects of nature.
• These gardens are often attached to houses consisting of trees, lawns and ground plants.
• It gives less emphasis on waterways and pathways.
• The primary aim is familial relaxation.
EXAMPLES OF PERSIAN GARDENS
FIN GARDEN (Char Bagh)
• It is also called as Bagh-e-Fin located in Kashan, Iran.
• It is a historical Persian garden. The garden might have its
origin in Safavid period.
• It was built near the village of Fin under the reign of Abbas
I of Persia (1571-1629).
• The area of garden is 2.3 hectares consisting of a main yard
surrounded with four circular towers.
• The fin garden is full of water features.
• There was a spring behind the garden on the hillside
which was the main source of water for this garden.
• In this place the water pressure was such that fountains and pools could easily be constructed without
the use of mechanical pumps.
• The garden contains many cypress trees
• The plan is a sophisticated Char Bagh with grids of canals and paths.
• The canals are lined with blue-green tiles, a colour which contrasts wonderfully with the desert outside
the garden walls.
• At Fin, all the channels are lined, sides and bottom, with blue faience tiles so that the very water seems
bright and gay until it flows into one of the larger pools, lined with great trees.
IRAM GARDEN (HAYAT)
• Built during the middle of nineteenth century
by the Ilkhanateor a paramount chief of the
Qashqai tribes of Pars.
• The original layout of the garden however, with
its quadripartite Persian paradise garden
structure was most likely laid in eighteenth
century by the Seljuqs.
• Over its 150 years the structure has been
modified, restored or stylistically changed by
various participants.
