Inside the Shah's former palace

(26 Mar 2016) LEAD IN:
The former home of Iran's Shah in Tehran is attracting many visitors, fascinated by pre-revolution royal times.
The Iranian royal family spent their last days in the Niavaran palace complex, before the 2500-year old Persian monarchy came to an end in 1979.

STORY-LINE
This palace to the north of the capital Tehran was home to the last Iranian Shah, Mohammad Reza Pahlavi and his family.
Built in an 11 hectares (27 acres) estate, the Niavaran place has served as a favourite resort for Iranian kings since the 19th century.
Reza Pahlavi finished building his main residence here, called the Private Palace, in 1967.
But unlike other buildings in the complex, the Private Palace is strikingly modern.
Museum guide Kurosh Salehi says: "what distinguishes this palace (from other Persian ones) is the modern design, which of course includes some elements of Iranian and Persian architecture."
According to Salehi, The palace was originally aimed to host royal guests, but later on the Shah and his wife, queen Farah Diba, chose it as their main residence, spending at least 9 months there.
Designed by Iranian architect, Mohsen Forooghi, the palace has a contemporary look, without the curves and domes typical of the older Islamic architecture.
Elements of Persian architecture, such as stucco and tile work are also visible.
The palace is still full of mementos of the past, including many gifts given by foreign leaders, like a golden decorative bowl presented by former U.S president Nixon in 1973.
French-made Sèvres vases decorate the halls, some of them with the painted portraits of Reza Pahlavi and his wife Farah Diba.
One of the most treasured items is a rug called "Carpet of the well-known" featuring images of Iranian kings as well as famous historical figures, including Jesus Christ, Alexander the Great, Henry V of England and Napoléon Bonaparte.
Visitor Hosseini says: "the architecture is full of energy. Life is flowing inside things here. It depicts the nature of Iranian art."
The peaceful exterior is also visited by many tourists.
Museum guide Shahrzad Pakniyat explains: "the entire garden was originally as vast as 11 hectares (27 acres). The private palace, which was the main residence (of the Shah and his family) is 9,000 square metres (10763 square yards). It is composed of three stories and it has a convertible aluminium roof."
There are two older palaces built during the Qajar dynasty (1785-1925) in the vast estate,
as well as a library and a museum featuring royal family vehicles.
Two Rolls-Royce cars are on display, as well as motorbikes and electric cars.

Find out more about AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/HowWeWork
Twitter:   / ap_archive  
Facebook:   / aparchives   ​​
Instagram:   / apnews  


You can license this story through AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/metadata/you...