TEHRAN – A team of cultural heritage experts has recently restored one of the columns that supports Koshk-e Ahmad Shahi, a majestic royal pavilion standing inside the Niavaran palace complex in northern Iran.

One of the pillars of the east porch of Koshk-e Ahmad Shahi is restored under the supervision of the Niavaran complex’s unit for conservation and restoration, CHTN reported on Sunday.

The column [originally] comprises a metal core and a plaster shell decorated with stucco, the report said.

Koshk-e Ahmad Shahi is located right in front of a large pond and has become a popular subject for photographers because of its unmatched beauty.

The ground floor of the two-story building consists of a hallway with a marble pond in the middle and six rooms and two corridors around it. The floor’s interior space is decorated with elements made of bronze, silver, ivory, and wood, medals, badges, miniature paintings, and souvenirs from different countries.

Moreover, some animal and plant fossils, pieces of ornamental mineral stones, and a stone from the moon gifted to Mohammad Reza Pahlavi by former U.S. President Richard Nixon are showcased on this floor. The second floor consists of a central hall and a four-sided veranda.

Covering an area of about eleven hectares, the Niavaran Cultural-Historical Complex is composed of several landmark buildings, museums, and monuments constructed in the 19th and 20th centuries during the Pahlavi and late Qajar eras.

The history of the palace complex stretches back to about 280 years ago when Fath-Ali Shah of the Qajar Dynasty ordered a summer residence to be built over the then countryside area of the capital. The two-story Ahmad-Shahi pavilion is one of the highlights of the complex.

With an area of 9,000 square meters, the palace is entirely adorned with magnificent plasterwork, mirrorwork, and tilework. Its architecture boasts a blend of pre and post-Islamic arts. Its beautifully decorated and fully furnished interior features loads of artworks, such as precious paintings and sculptures by Iranian and foreign artists.

The main palace of the complex was originally erected for royal ceremonies and gatherings. However, it later turned into a dwelling for Mohammad Reza Shah and his family.

AFM