Experience Delgosha Garden, A Dreamy Passage in Shiraz

Delgosha Garden is one of top ten sightseen in the romantic city of Shiraz, a unique site to experience a traditional Persian garden that has been around since the ancient times. Like its meaning Delgosha Garden enlightens the heart with seasonal flowers, green pines and cypresses, tall palm trees and sensational scent of sour orange blossoms. The turquoise tiled water stream, a hexagon pound, alongside artistically built edifice, is a one of a kind attraction in the city of poetry and love.

Located at foothills of Zagros mountain, Delgosha Garden is a 7.5 hectare green area at the city of Shiraz in Fars Province. The garden once belonged to Iranian kings, princes and courtiers is open to public visitors from 8:00 to 23:00 throughout the year. Tourists are recommended to visit this fascinating wonder in the spring time as the sweet smell of blossoms fills the garden and the cool breezy air, would create a splendid memory, however other seasons would offer intriguing time as well. 

More than 3,000 sour orange trees are planted in the garden that would bloom in late April and early May creating a magical moment. Other types of trees in this dreamy garden include orange, cypress , walnut, palm, pine ,redbud trees that provide a pleasant sight as visitors stroll on the cobblestone sidewalks. Due to its national values, the garden has been registered in Iran national heritage list in 2002.

The Enchanting History

This particular garden was built during the Sasanid empire (224–651CE) and was expanded throughout history in various dynasties including Zand and Qajar. The garden has inspired Timur a Turco-Mongol conqueror in 14th century to build similar style of construction in Samarkand Uzbekistan. European explorers have visited the garden in Safavid era. The 18^th century British author and diplomat James Morier has written about the magnificent garden in his famous travelogue. 

The garden is surrounded by walls visitors would sense the citrus aroma at the entrance door , following the water stream toward the pound, an elegant three story historical building is visible. There are pavilions of trees that provide shades for visitors along the way to sits on benches and enjoy the fabulous view of the garden or appreciate this site from the terrace in the edifice.

The manor is located at the center of the garden that was built during Zand dynasty in 18^th century in style of Sassanid castle in Bishapur. The combination of Sasanid to Qajar architecture are visible on the colorful facade of the structure. Two white pillars in the first floor connected to a large terrace facing the pound and the garden view. The second floor has a large hall with large carved wooden windows with colorful glasses. The wooden dome shaped ceiling is embellished with arabesque designs, mirror works and symmetrical three-dimensional plaster work known as “Muqarnas’’ are decorated walls and arches. Poems by Shourideh (the Safavid time’s poet), written in Persian calligraphy on the walls.

Delgosha edifice is being used as a museum for historical objects, in the first floor ancient coins, clothes, bank notes and a valuable edition of Quran written on deer skin are displayed, while the second floor features 50 type of radio sets.

Another fascinating house in the Delgosha Garden is a hexagon shaped building known as “Kolah Farangi” (meaning French hat). The edifice is a mixture of Iranian and European styles architecture, glorified during Qajar era. The following structure in Delgosha Garden is considered the first Kolah Farnagi building in Iran.

The last private resident of this site was the daughter of Ali Akbar Qavamolmolk a famous Qajar courtier that donated the garden to the public. Shiraz Municipality is currently own the complex.

Delgosha Garden is one of the early examples of the Persian gardens that displays all the traditional features of architecture and art. These rectangular green structures that aimed to represent paradise on earth since the ancient time that influenced the geometrically designed garden layout across the world including Taj Mahal gardens in India and Alhambra in Spain.

Persian gardens symbolize four Zoroastrian elements of sky, earth, water and plants that are shown by building narrow ditch for water stream with fountains running in the center surrounded by fruit-bearing and shade-providing trees, leading to an embellished palace or edifice situated in the middle or the end of the garden. The sophisticated irrigation system of these gardens were considered an innovative work in architecture, as water transferred through the streams known as ‘Juye āb’ from a nearby well to a ditch that waters plants and trees.  

How to plan the trip

This charming site is located in North-East of the city and 10 minutes’ walk from tomb of the13th century Persian poet’s Sa’adi. It would make a great stop to connect with nature and understand the notion of Iranian lifestyle , culture and artistic traits.  The main entrance of this complex is connected to South Sa’adieyh and Narenjestan Street. Visitors would have better access to Delgosha Garden by public transports including taxi, subway and city bus.

The visiting experience requires two separate tickets for entrance to the garden and museums in the edifice. Tomb of legendary 14^th century poet Hafez and Nasir al-Mulk Mosque, also known as the Pink Mosque are other attractions near to the garden are hotspots for Instagram selfies . Nearby restaurants and cafes are only 7 minutes’ walk from Delgosha Garden. 

Delgosha Garden has been used for festive events during Safavid era in 18^th century including Nowruz (the Persian new year) and Yalda night, while in 19^th century Qajar era, marriage ceremony of princes, national occasions and war victories were celebrated. In contemporary time the garden hosts various musical and poetry festivals in addition to flower shows to revive Iranian art and values. The Cultural Heritage Administration of Fars Province provides more information on its website about ongoing and future celebrations and events in Delgosha Garden in addition to available hotels and other attractions in the city.