PERSIAN

GARDENS
By: Sonali Soni
Toshika Agrawal
Vijesha Choudhary

ERAM GARDEN, SHIRAZ, IRAN

• The Persian Garden refers to a tradition and style of
garden design which originated in Persia and which
influenced the design of gardens throughout the larger
region.
• The origin of Persian gardens
may date back as far as 4000
BCE.
• The Persian gardens were
created as a model of paradise.
• Greater part of Persia was arid,
lacking water and vegetation.
• The concept of Persian garden
was definitely paradise like,
fertile and rich with fruits and
flowers in contrast to the draught,
heat and sun outside.
THE PERSIAN GARDEN, IRAN
• These gardens are enclosed.
• The main purpose behind building such gardens
was to provide relaxation in different manner
such as spiritual, leisurely (e.g. meetings with
friends).
• The construction of garden may have an
emphasis either on nature or on structure,
however the main thing this garden should allow
is maximization of function.
• The Persian gardens were built as a retreat from
the harsh landscape.
• These gardens are followed by modern-day
garden, from the sanctuaries and hunting parks
of 5th century B.C., 19th century magical
nightingale gardens of Tehran, etc.
• The Cyrus's garden had a geometrical plan and
stone watercourses.
• A high surrounding wall
• Straight tile-lined channels of
water
• Bubbling fountains
• Trees for shade and fruit
• A Pavilion or gazebo
FEATURES
• Strong emphasis on flowers in
beds and pots Common features
of Persian gardens
CHEHEL SOTOUN’S GARDEN
 SQUARE AND RECTANGULAR LAYOUT
• Square and rectangle are the predominant shapes in Persian gardens. Despite their
precise spacing and order, Persian gardens still manage to create a range of different
spaces within their main space by using various natural and man-made materials that
differ in shapes and sizes.
THE FIVE ELEMENTS
There are five elements which contribute to the
geometry of Persian gardens.

PERSPECTIVE

WATER PATHWAY

OVERALL RECTANGULAR GEOMETRY

SYMMETRY

CENTRALISATION OF CERTAIN SPACES

 PERSPECTIVE
(or visual expanse of the garden)
• The greater length of the garden is where
its most significant elements are situated.
Known as the spine of the garden, this
area helps to create a space for
meditation and enjoyment from the day-
to-day.
• Roads stretched into the horizon, brooks
running to the end of the garden, little
gardens within the main garden, the
natural slope of the land and the
difference in vision angle from different
locations in the garden enriches the
perspective of the space.
• Also, one of the main principles of Persian
Persian-style garden which was layed out architecture is internalization and this is
in Haifa, Israel. why gardens are walled and enclosed
spaces.
 WATER PATHWAY

• The main issue was to get water

from distance points.
• For this purpose, Qanats and wells
were dug and constructed in the
heart of the garden.
• Water flowing from these points
would run into well- spaced brooks
and branch into different sections
of the garden like water filled veins.
Fin Garden, Bagh-e Tarikhi-ye Fin.
Kashan, Iran.
 OVERALL RECTANGULAR
GEOMETRY
• This shape made locating a
precise place for planting trees
and implementation of other
structural elements much easier.
• It also helped to specifically
frame a part of the earth by
imposing a definite geometrical
structure.
An overall top view of Pasargadae
at Cyrus’ time.
 SYMMETRY
• The granges in the garden were
not only built symmetrical but
were also situated symmetrically.
• Trees, shrubs and flowers were
also planted this way.

Bagh-e Babur in Kabul, Afghanistan

 CENTRALISATION OF
CERTAIN STRUCTURES
• This is manifest in placement of
granges, particularly granges of
the Hasht Behesth (eight
paradises) design where
granges are situated at the
crossroads that divide the
garden into different sections
and therefore draw more
attention.
Taj mahal garden, Agra
• The important Persian garden
elements are sunlight, shade, water,
buildings.
• These elements provide relaxation in
different manners such as spiritual,
leisurely (e.g. meetings with friends) NATURAL
etc. which is the primary aim of
Persian garden which is considered ELEMENTS
as a paradise on earth.
• The Persian gardens often connect
internal yard gardens with the
surrounding outward gardens.
• The important factor to be
considered while designing the
Persian garden is sunlight and its
effects in the garden.
• Architects arranged the samples
and forms from the rays of light to SUNLIGHT
restrain the sunlight.
• The specific textures and shapes
were chosen by the experienced
architects to harness the light.
• Shade is also an important element
due to heat of Iran
• The Persian gardens includes trees,
shrubs and trellises which work as
biotic shades to provide protection
from strong sunrays.
• In these gardens we can see large
number of big shade trees, fruit and
flower trees as well.
SHADE
• Walls and pavilions are also
important in blocking the harsh
sunrays.
• Mostly cypress trees are found .
• In desert regions, there are many dry areas
beside the many forests, therefore water
comes as the next important element in the
Persian garden.
• The underground water canals are built on
slopes to facilitate either natural or the
artificial flow of water (waterfalls).
• It is assumed that this style of irrigation is
thousand years old. WATER
• This style works in the best way and widely
used even in modern gardening styles.
• For this purpose of moving water around the
surface water systems.
• Trees are planted in a ditch called a jub, to
prevent water evaporation and allow quick
access of water to the tree roots.
• In many of the Persian gardens, buildings of
splendour, brick works and pavilions are seen.
• Here we also get to see the different structural
designs like royal palaces, mansions, temples,
etc.
• Iranian architects used to build domes on
square buildings very skillfully.
• These enhance the beauty of these gardens.
• In Persian gardens, beautiful arches were
BUILDINGS
constructed.
• In front of many mansions and palaces of these
gardens, the water fountains were placed as
the source of cool, peaceful atmosphere and
pleasure.
• The beautiful types of glasses (e.g. stain glasses)
were used for windows and other glass works.
STYLES OF PERSIAN GARDEN
There are five primary styles of the Persian
garden

HAYAT

MEIDAN

CHAR BAGH

PARK

BAGH
 HAYAT
PUBLIC
• Publicly, it is a classical Persian layout with
heavy emphasis on aesthetics over function.
• Man-made structures in the garden are
particularly important, with arches and pools
(which may be used to bathe).
• The ground is often covered in gravel
flagged with stone.
• Plantings are typically very simple - such as a
line of trees, which also provide shade.
PRIVATE
• Privately, these gardens are often pool-
centered and, again, structural.
• The pool serves as a focus and source of
humidity for the surrounding atmosphere.
There are few plants, often due to the limited
water available in urban areas
 MEIDAN
• This is a public, formal garden
which emphasizes more on biotic
elements than structure.
• Here we see bedding plants, trees,
shrubs, grasses, etc.
• In this garden also the elements like
gravel pathways, pools divide the
lawns.
• The shade providing structures
pavilions are also built.
 CHAR BAGH
• These gardens are formal and
private.
• The garden structure mainly
consists of four quadrants
divided by pathways and
waterways.
• This garden has a balanced
structure with proper
pathways and greenery or
plants around the periphery of
the pool.
 PARKS
• These are casual parks used
for public functions.
• These are full of various plants.
• Here we see pathways and
seating but these gardens are
limited in terms of structural
elements.
• The purpose of such gardens
is relaxation and socialization.
 BAGH
• Like other casual gardens, it
focuses on natural and green
aspects of nature.
• These gardens are often
attached to houses consisting
of trees, lawns and ground
plants.
• It gives less emphasis on
waterways and pathways.
• The primary aim is familial
relaxation.
SOME EXAMPLES OF
PERSIAN GARDENS
FIN GARDEN, KASHAN (CHAR BAGH)
ERAM GARDEN, SHIRAZ (HAYAT)
CHEHEL SOTOUN, ISFAHAN
THANK YOU!