Dolatabad Garden

Dolat Abad Garden is among the 9 Iranian Gardens which are collectively registered as one of the Iran’s 17 registered UNESCO World Heritage Sites under the name of the Persian Garden in 2011.

Dolat Abad Garden was built in the late Afsharid dynasty in 1160 AH by Mohammad Taqi Khan Bafaqi, known as (Khan the Great), who was the head of Yazd Khavanin dynasty. He first built a 5km long aqueduct that brought water from Mehriz to Yazd and the present garden, and then built his own government palace (Dar al-Hakumah). The garden, with an area of about 70,000 m², consisted of many buildings, ponds, and fountains, around which there were pomegranate and grape trees with many beautiful flowers which added beauty to the garden.
Dolat Abad Garden was the residence of current ruler and contemporary with Shahrokh Mirza and Karim Khan Zand. The monument that should have been owned by the descendants of Mohammad Taghi Khan was taken by the Cultural Heritage and is currently managed by Mohammad Ali Mo’ezaldini (son-in-law of the Wali Faqih agent).

Dolat Abad Garden was located outside of Yazd then but in Qajar era, when the city was expanded, it became a part of the urban area. With further developments in Pahlavi era, it was centered in the city, the same location as today.

From a structural point of view, Dolat Abad Garden can be considered a garden-yard type and it is often associated with two gardens in Shiraz, Narenjestan Ghavam Garden, and Haft Tanan Garden. This association is due to their architecture that a garden is designed in the center surrounded by buildings and mansions.
Dolat Abad Garden is divided into two parts: the Interior and the Exterior area.
In terms of functional typology, Dolat Abad Garden is a “Residential – governmental” garden.
In a way that the outer area was a site for State gatherings, sports events, and governmental meetings, and the inner area was a private and residential part of the complex. In the residential-governmental gardens, the inner realm was completely distinguished from other realms, and even a concierge or a guardian was appointed to oversee it.

This part was the residence of the ruler and his family and consisted of the following buildings:
• Vestibule Building (Hashti Pavillion= Hasht means eight in Persian)
• Harem
• Paradise (Behesht Aeen) – used in the cold months
• Kitchen
• Watchtower
• Private Cistern
• Summer and Winter Stalls

The Vestibule building is one of the most important parts of the complex, combining the flow of air and water in the most beautiful way. In this building, by combining wind and water, which is flowing inside the building, cool air is transmitted from the wind catcher to the alcove and chambers. Therefore, it is also called the summer building. It consists of three alcoves with lattice doors and two chambers and the overall shape is octagonal. The ceiling of its middle section has a beautiful workmanship by Master Haji Ali Akbar Akhund, which is very skillfully executed with mud and plaster. There in a wind catcher on the vestibule that is considered to be the most significant symbol of Dolat-Abad garden. It has a height of 33.8 meters, the highest in the world.

Dolat Abad Garden is surrounded by a tall adobe wall with a watch tower

– The Exterior Section:
• Frontage (Jolo-Khan) and the Portal
• Mirror Hall
• Tehrani Mansion
• Two Markets
• Public Cistern

The most significant characteristic of the design of Dolat abad Garden is believed to be the attempt of the architect in selecting tactful angles for providing the best views and landscape.

source: amazing-iran.com