Chehel Sotoun Palace that has been named as one of the most blessed buildings of the world left from Safavid dynasty, is located in the middle of a beautiful garden next to a pool in Isfahan. As the result of excavations, two inscriptions were found, showing that the construction of the palace started at the time of Shah Abbas I and ended during the rule of Shah Abbas II. The palace is 2120 square meters big. Chehel Sotoun Garden has three entrances that the old one opens to the east side. When entering the garden through the main entrance, after a short distance, there will be a large pool in the front and then the mansion itself. Chehel Sotoun is an example of royal garden from Safavid dynasty. The architecture of the palace is an integration of foreign and Iranian arts, and features a main porch. The porch itself includes two parts, one fixed on 18 wooden columns along with four columns in the middle that are installed on four stone lions. The other part is slightly higher and forms the entrance and is referred to as Mirror Hall. This part is situated on two columns and decorated with thousands of glittering mirrors. The ceiling is made of wooden frames in various geometric shapes. The central hall was allocated to foreign guests, and contains paintings that represent the historical events of different periods. Paintings in the central hall, some of which belong to Qajar era, depict Shah Abbas I and II hosting Shah Tahmasp I and Humayun (the second emperor of the Mughal Empire), as well as the war of Shah Ismail I against Uzbakan. Right now, Chehel Sotoun Palaces is a garden museum, and the central hall displays some artworks of different periods. It is one of the most spectacular and historic places in Isfahan, visited by many foreign tourists and guests.
