Eram Garden is one of the most beautiful Persian Gardens in Shiraz, Iran. This Garden is one of the 9 Persian Gardens that has been inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List. There is a world of genius behind the architecture and design of this garden. Plus, there are philosophical, symbolic and religious concepts behind its elements. The Eram Garden is overall a complex based on the four Zoroastrian elements. These elements are accordingly, sky, earth, water and plants. In this post, we will be talking about different parts of this garden that represent these elements. Also, we will get into the significance, history, and the best time to visit this piece of Paradise.

The significance of Eram Garden among Persian Gardens

From the ancient times until today, Persian Gardens have been an important part of the Persian architecture. The main purpose of these gardens were to reflect the close connection between cultural and natural elements. The Eram Garden with its unique pavilion, pool, and garden complex, is one of the significant examples of Persian Gardens. Accordingly, this Garden is known to be the image of Eden or a Paradise on Earth. The significance of Eram Garden is to the extent that it was the source of inspiration for many artists. Some of these artists are among the famous ancient Persian poets like Sa’adi, Hafez, and Ferdowsi. It should be mentioned that the significance of this garden does not lessen the value of other Persian Gardens. While visiting Shiraz, you can visit many more of these Gardens that are unique in their own way. Narenjestan Garden and Delgosha Garden are among other unique gardens in Shiraz.

Also, make sure you look into the UNESCO Persian Gardens in Iran which are:

  • Pasargadae Gardens, one of the first examples of Persian Gardens
  • Shazdeh Mahan Garden in the middle of an oasis in Kerman
  • Chehel Sotun Garden in Isfahan
  • Fin Garden in Kashan
  • Abbas Abad Garden in north of Iran
  • Dolat Abad Garden in Yazd
  • Akbarieh Garden in Birjand
  • Pahlavan Pour Mehriz Garden

Beside these renowned UNESCO Gardens, there are many more Persian Gardens around Iran. Though they share the same characteristics, they each have something different to offer. You can find more information about different Persian Gardens around Iran in our Blog’s posts. Now, without further ado, let us get into the highlights of Eram Garden in Shiraz.

Eram Garden’s Facts & History

After conducting many researches, there is still no certain information about the construction date of this garden. However, the travelogues of tourists from the 16th century can help us grasp the history of Eram Garden. These travelogues indicate the years of this garden’s prosperity during the reign of Safavids (400 years ago). During the following eras such as Zand era, this garden went through some renovations. This was done under the order of Karim Khan of Zand. Years later, during the Qajar era, they added a mansion to the garden complex. It was around those years that the garden became the ruling residency of Qashqai Nomadic Tribe. A few years later, Hossein Ali Nasir ol Mulk purchased Eram Garden to rebuild the present mansion in the garden. After his death, his heirs added more structures and decorations to the garden.

Eram Garden’s history after the Nasir ol Mulk Generation

After the death of last Nasir ol Mulk to own the garden, another head of Qashqai tribe repurchased the place. During the following era of Pahlavi, this garden was purchased by the wife of the king. Additionally, the University of Shiraz started using the garden as a reception place. Due to natural causes, the garden went through some destructions. However, it was again renovated to the vast and mesmerizing garden that we can visit today.

Points & Architectural highlights of Eram Garden

As we mentioned earlier, Eram Garden is one of the best examples of Persian Gardens in Iran. Here, we will get more into the points and highlights of the garden that have mesmerized its worldwide visitors. Also, we will be mentioning other things that you can do while visiting Eram Garden.

Entering Eram Garden

Upon entering this garden, a great pavilion, a pool, and trees and flowers will catch your interest all together. Accordingly, these are the elements that make Persian Gardens unique in their own way. In the middle of the garden, right in front of the pavilion, there is a pool filled with fresh water. The fresh water runs through the garden by a number of streams. There are a range of trees and mostly tall Cedar trees planted on the sides of these streams. Interestingly, there is a famous Cedar tree called “Sarv-e Naz” in this Garden. This Cedar tree is the tallest Cedar in Shiraz. Also, it has over a thousand years of antiquity. Aside from the cedar trees there is a wide range of other types of trees and floras.

The range of flowers and trees in Eram Garden

  • Over 200 species of roses ( one of the most unique collections of roses)
  • peach flowers
  • Tulips and puppies
  • peacock flowers
  • tomato flowers
  • yellow Jasmine
  • Japanese Blossoms
  • sour orange trees
  • pine trees
  • evergreen trees
  • Fruit trees

The picturesque Pavilion of Eram Garden

On the west side of the garden, there is a pavilion in the style of early Qajar architecture. There are also traces of Zand and Safavid architectural techniques in this tree-story pavilion. The columns of this mansion, however, is inspired from the Achaemenid pillars. Before entering this mansion there are a range of decorations that will catch your eyes. These architectural highlights and designs are:

  • Inlaid wooden doors made of durable teak wood.
  • A range of stucco and tilework.
  • Safavid oil paintings.
  • Patterned stone pillars.
  • Qajarid Iron Windows
  • Santouri design on the mansion’s forehead. On this part, there are tile pictures of Naser ol-din Shah, and three stories from ancient Persian literature. These stories belong to the great Persian literary figures such as Nizami and Ferdowsi.
  • Patterns of Achaemenid kings, soldiers, and their mansions around the western-side windows.

Inside the pavilion

The ground floor of the mansion is actually a summer house. In the middle of this part, there is a fountain. A variety of tilework in ‘Haft Rang’ and ‘Moaraq’ styles cover the walls of different parts of this house. Accordingly, you can see the pictures of hunting grounds and landscapes on the tileworks. One of the tileworks also depicts the famous love tale of Khosrow and Shirin.

The second floor of the pavilion and its balcony

The most notable part of the second floor is its stone pillars. The stone pillars of the balcony of this floor are carved at the top in the shape of Qajarid men. There are also two balconies on the sides of this main balcony. The plaster work of the inside of this part is also unique. Notably, there are two kitchens in the second floor.

The Third floor and its eye-catching paintings

The third floor has three rooms and two vast salons. You can find a series of paintings on the wooden ceilings of different parts of the third floor. The paintings include:

  • Floral designs
  • Arabesque patterns
  • Hunting grounds
  • Women
  • European mansions

Other things you can do while visiting Eram Garden

  • Dress up in Persian traditional clothes and take photographs
  • Check out the handicraft and souvenir store
  • Try the famous Faloodeh Shirazi (threaded noodles in semi-frozen sugar) in the Garden’s cafe

When and where can I visit Eram Garden?

Eram Garden is open from 8 AM to 9 PM every day except during special Islamic holidays. Notably, the garden is open during different seasons. However, the best time to visit Eram Garden is in spring (from late march to early July).  During this season, the garden’s sour orange trees and flowers have bloomed. Keep in mind that most Iranian tourists travel to Shiraz during Nowruz (the New Year) which is around 21th of March.

The Location of Eram Garden

As for the location of Eram Garden, it is on the northern part of Shiraz on Eram Street. You can reach the garden by getting on the line 1 of Shiraz’s Subway. You should then get off at Namazi Station. From there, there is only a 10-minute walk to the garden. Also, you can use the Meidan Kolbe bus and get off at Meidan Eram bus stop. Taxi stations and online Taxi apps are also available in Shiraz.

Attractions near Eram Garden

Many of the touristic attractions in Shiraz are within walking distance of each other. After visiting the Eram Garden, you can make a visit to the historic center of Shiraz and Vakil complex. The Vakil complex consists of the picturesque Vakil Mosque, Vakil Bazaar, and Vakil Bathhouse. The complex is 4 kilometers away from the garden. You can also visit the attractions below:

Aside from the historic sites and sour orange gardens in Shiraz, you can visit the natural wonders around Shiraz. Make sure you try the local Food & Signature Dishes of Shiraz before leaving this wonderful city. For more information, you can check out our blog’s post about Shiraz, its points of interest & things to do.