Takht-e Marmar Iwan
| Takht-e Marmar Iwan | |
|---|---|
 | |
Interactive map of Takht-e Marmar Iwan | |
| Location | Tehran, Iran |
| Part of | Golestan Palace |
| Site notes | |
Architectural style | Iranian |
| Current use | Museum |
| Owner | Ministry of Cultural Heritage, Tourism and Handicrafts |
| Designations | |
| Designation | Iran National Heritage |
Takht-e Marmar Iwan (Persian: ایوان تخت مرمر, lit. 'Iwan of the Marble Throne'), is an Iwan-style building in Golestan Palace, Tehran, Iran. It is the oldest surviving edifice in the former royal citadel, dating back to late 18th century. The Iwan is named after the marble-made throne it houses; Takht-e Marmar.
History
Takht-e Marmar Iwan was among the royal constructions built by Karim Khan Zand (r. 1751–1779) inside an enormous Safavid era garden. After the fall of Zand dynasty, Agha Mohammad Khan Qajar (r. 1789–1797) became the Shah of Iran. It was during his reign that Karim Khan's edifice in Shiraz (main stronghold of the Zands) was demolished; all the precious items there, including its two tall monolith pillars, marble strones, mirrors and painted doors and curtains were transported to the new capital and were installed in the building.[1]
Takht-e Marmar
Around 1806, Fath-Ali Shah Qajar (nephew of the eunuch Agha Mohammad Shah), officially ordered the construction of a throne of yellow marble stones from Yazd, in Isfahan. It was named Takht-e Marmar or occasionally, Takht-e Soleimani.
Occasional Use
During the Qajar era, the portico was the main venue of celebrations and coronations. It was there that the shah would receive different classes of people during Nowruz ceremonies. It was also the site of the coronation of nearly all Qajar shahs. Reza Shah Pahlavi also crowned himself there on 16 December 1925, that being the last major royal event held around the Iwan.[2]
Contemporary era
Before the 1979 Iranian Revolution, Golestan Palace was occasionally used for private ceremonies of the Pahlavi dynasty and parts of it were open to public. After the outbreak of the Iran–Iraq War (1980–1988), the whole palace was closed. After major renovations, Golestan Palace was gradually reopened in 1995.[3]
2026 Israeli-American attacks
On 2 March 2026, Israeil-American forces bombed the nearby Meidan-e Arg and its surrounding governmental buildings. Due to shock waves of the huge blasts, Takht-Marmar Iwan, as well as the Marble Throne itself, (part of a World Heritage Site) was severely damaged.[4]
See also
- Shams-ol-Emareh: an edifice in Golestan Palace, with similar portico
- Qavam House: 19th-century edifice in Shiraz, with similar portico
References
- ↑ Sarayan, Fatemeh (2008). Image of Tehran I. Translated by Soltani, Marjaneh. Tehran: Zariran. p. 71. ISBN 9789649575445.
- ↑ علیزاده, مهبانو. "تخت مرمر". دائرةالمعارف بزرگ اسلامی (in Persian).
- ↑ Vakilzadeh, Davoud (2022). Golestan Palace: The Everlasting Heritage. Tehran: Vakilzadeh. p. 14. ISBN 9786229433904.
- ↑ Borger, Julian; Parent, Deepa (2026-03-12). "Dismay as ancient heritage sites across Iran damaged in US-Israel bombing". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 2026-08-17.
External links
