Chehel Sotoun

For the pavilion in Kabul, Afghanistan, see Chihil Sutun.

Chehel Sotoun (Persian: چهل‌ستون, lit. 'Forty Columns') is a Persian pavilion in the middle of a park at the far end of a long pool, in Isfahan, Iran, built by Shah Abbas II to be used for his entertainment and receptions. In this palace, Shah Abbas II and his successors would receive dignitaries and ambassadors, either on the terrace or in one of the stately reception halls.

Bagh-e Chehel Sotun
باغ چهل‌ستون

UNESCO World Heritage Site
Location	Isfahan, Isfahan Province, Iran
Part of	The Persian Garden
Criteria	Cultural: (i)(ii)(iii)(iv)(vi)
Reference	1372-003
Inscription	2011 (35th Session)
Area	5.8 ha (620,000 sq ft)
Buffer zone	28.92 ha (3,113,000 sq ft)
Coordinates	32°39′27″N 51°40′20″E
Location of Chehel Sotoun in Iran

The name, meaning "Forty Columns" in Persian, was inspired by the twenty slender wooden columns supporting the entrance pavilion, which, when reflected in the waters of the fountain, is said to appear to be forty.^[1]

Early paintings (1647-1666)

As with the Ali Qapu, the palace contains many frescoes and paintings on ceramic. Many of the ceramic panels have been dispersed and are now in the possession of major museums in the West. Four of the major frescoes are thought to have been painted circa 1650, and in any case between 1647 (date of the construction of the Chehel Sotoun) and 1666, based on stylistic grounds, and on the fact that Jean Chardin described the specific paintings as "three royal entertainments and one battle scene" during his visit in 1666.^[2][3] They were commissioned by the Safavid ruler Abbas II. They are:^[4]

• the Battle of Marv in 1510 where the Safavid Shah Ismail I vanquished and killed the Uzbek king Shaybani Khan
• the welcoming by Shah Tahmasp of the Mughal Emperor Humayun taking refuge in Iran in 1544
• the reception by Abbas the Great of the Uzbek ruler Vali Muhammad Khan
• the reception of Uzbek king Nader Mohammad Khan by Abbas II in 1646, when the palace had just been completed

Chehel Sotoun's wall paintings of Safavid historical scenes (painted circa 1650)

Battle of Merv (1510), between Ismail I and Shaybani Khan

Meeting of Tahmasp I and Humayun

Meeting of Abbas the Great and Vali Muhammad Khan

Meeting of Abbas II and Nader Mohammad Khan

Later paintings

Ceiling artworks and wall paintings

There are also more recent paintings, generally dating to Qajar period, such as the infamous Battle of Chaldiran against the Ottoman Sultan Selim I, and Nader Shah's victory against the Indian Army at Karnal in 1739. There are also less historical, but more aesthetic compositions in the traditional miniature style, themed around life, love, and joy.^[5]

The Chehel Sotoun Palace is among the 9 Iranian gardens which are collectively registered as one of Iran's 23 registered World Heritage Sites under the name of the Persian Gardens.^[6]

Architecture

In the pavilion, the combined designs of the walls and ceiling of the hall, which are placed in Lachak Toranj (corner and medallion), and the main lines of the building divisions, which are a combination of painting, tiling and other various decorations, make the building one of the best examples of Persian architecture during the Safavid era. At present, the mansion operates as a museum; and its central hall displays some works of art from different periods of Iran.^[7]

Gallery

• 
  Inside of Chehel Sotun by Jean Chardin, 1666
• 
  Muqarnas featuring Ayeneh-kari
• 
  Shah Tahmasp I, painted circa 1647
• 
  Day view of the palace
• 
  Rear view of the palace
• 
  Closer view of the palace
• 
  A sculpture in the garden
• 
  Golden muqarnas vaulting
• 
  Inside the museum
• 
  The Qur'an in kufic script
• 
  Fresco inside the palace
• 
  1840, by Pascal Coste
• 
  Fresco inside the palace, painted circa 1647
• 
  Frescoe of the Battle of Chaldiran, 19th century
• 
  Ceiling of the mirror hall with Ayeneh-kari art