Golestan Palace
The ornate Golestan Palace is a masterpiece of the Qajar dynasty, reflecting a successful fusion of early Persian craftsmanship and architecture with Western influences. One of the oldest complexes in Tehran, this walled palace became the seat of government for the Qajar family, who came to power in 1779 and established Tehran as Iran's capital. Built around a garden with pools and green areas, the palace's most distinctive decorations and rich ornamentation date from the 19th century. It became a center of Qajar art and architecture, an outstanding example of it, and remains a source of inspiration for Iranian artists and architects to this day. It represents a new style that combines elements of traditional Persian art and crafts with 18th-century architecture and technology.