This park and palace complex was first developed by the Qajar monarches and royal family in the 19th century. After the 1979 Revolution it became a museum.

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Today there are 18 large and small palaces, each with it’s own architecture and technique. The compounds were expanded when Reza Shah lived here in the 1920’s and his son, Mohammad Reza Pahlavi moved here with his family in the 1970’s.

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The compound is north of the city. It sits on 257 acres of spectacular parkland at the foothills of the Alborz Mountains.

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100s of cypress  and aspen tress provide shade to the grounds and beautiful flower gardens decorate  the palaces.

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The Green Palace is a classical-looking building from the end of the Qajar era. It is named for the facade of green marble from Isfahan.

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Sandy’s first request for a photo with a lovely Iranian lady. Iranians were very friendly to our group. Taking lots of photos!

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The Pahlavis Dynasty made major renovations in the 1930s, adding mirror marquetry everywhere. One hallway became know as the Mirror Hall.

The bedroom walls and ceilings were covered with mirrors, too!

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The Shah’s office, sitting areas and dining room were filled with fine European furnishings.

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The Green Palace was often used for State Dinners enteraining foreign diplomats from all over the world.

 

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All meals were prepared in a seperate Culinary Building. It was filled with all the most up-to-date kitchen equipment.

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The display was complete with faux food and life-sized chefs. Easy to imagine how the preparations for 100’s could be completed here, then rushed to the Palace.