Reviving History: Restoration of Centuries-Old Canal at Golestan Palace to Reinvigorate Iconic Persian Garden Design

TEHRAN – Exciting restoration efforts are set to commence on a historical water canal at Tehran’s UNESCO-listed Golestan Palace, marking a significant step toward reviving the traditional geometry of the Persian garden. This initiative is particularly crucial as it aims to enhance the aesthetic and cultural significance of this historic site.

The north-south stream, known as the Naseri canal, is named after the Qajar monarch Naser al-Din Shah. The last restoration of this canal took place in 2012 using nonstandard methods, which ultimately led to its abandonment. According to a report from IRNA on Monday, the upcoming restoration will focus on conceptually recreating the flow of water and restoring the original spatial design of the palace gardens.

Ali Omidali, an expert for the Golestan Palace World Heritage Site, revealed that the restoration plan was drafted in 2024 and has received approval from the site’s steering and technical councils. “Due to the original qanat that supplied the canal having dried up, the restoration will be symbolic. We plan to use circulating water to recreate the sense of flow and preserve the garden’s central geometry,” Omidali explained to IRNA.

Key features of the restoration project include:

• The canal will feature approximately 50,000 liters of water flowing at a shallow depth of around 10 centimeters.
• Fountains within the palace complex, such as the Almas Mansion fountain, have been repaired using modern sealing technology.
• The project emphasizes restoring geometric order and planting species adapted to the local climate.
• Efforts will also be made to rehabilitate garden axes, enhancing the overall design of the landscape.

Golestan Palace Director Afarin Emami noted that the complex continues to utilize a historic well for irrigating its green spaces. Following the canal’s restoration, a portion of the well water will be redirected into the canal for aesthetic purposes. Emami also mentioned that during summer months, when the well’s water level decreases, the Tehran municipality supplies additional water via tanker trucks.

Moreover, the site has transitioned away from using chlorine for water clarification, allowing for natural recycling of water within the garden. A smart irrigation study is currently in collaboration with the Cultural Heritage Ministry to optimize water usage.

According to Emami, this project will enable Golestan Palace to recover parts of its historic structure and symbolically revive the essence of the Persian garden in central Tehran. The complex, located in the heart of Tehran’s historic core, is one of the oldest in the city, originally constructed during the Safavid dynasty within the historic walled city.

Over the years, Golestan Palace has undergone numerous expansions, acquiring its most defining features in the 19th century when it was established as the royal residence and seat of power by the Qajar ruling family. Today, the Golestan Palace complex consists of eight main palace structures, primarily functioning as museums, along with the iconic gardens that create a central green space surrounded by an outer wall with gates.

This magnificent complex exemplifies the architectural and artistic achievements of the Qajar era. It showcases the integration of European motifs and styles into Persian art, serving not only as the governing base for the Qajar kings but also as a residential and recreational compound and a center of artistic production during the 19th century.

Through these diverse activities, Golestan Palace became a primary source and hub of Qajar art and architecture. It offers a unique and rich testimony to the architectural language and decorative arts of the Qajar period, particularly reflecting the legacy of Naser al-Din Shah. The palace displays European-inspired artistic motifs alongside traditional Persian designs, representing some of the earliest examples of a synthesized European-Persian style.

This blend of styles has become a defining characteristic of Iranian art and architecture, particularly in the late 19th and 20th centuries. Parts of the palace complex are regarded as foundational to the modern Iranian artistic movement, making it a vital cultural landmark in the region.

As restoration work on the Naseri canal progresses, the efforts will not only beautify the Golestan Palace but also enhance its historical narrative, ensuring that this iconic site continues to be a symbol of Iran’s rich cultural heritage.