Afif-Abad Garden, also called Golshan Garden, lies on Afif-Abad Street in Shiraz. A columned gateway leads into the grounds, where a long approach brings the Qajar mansion into view. The palace combines furnished interiors upstairs with collections of historic weapons below.
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History of Afif-Abad Garden
The site has a Safavid history, when the Zulqadr governors held land here. The present mansion is Qajar. Iran’s heritage register dates it to 1284 AH (1867–68) and names Mirza Ali Mohammad Khan Qavam al-Molk II as its patron. The grounds cover about 13 hectares.
The name Afif-Abad is associated with Afifeh Khanum, a later owner. The army acquired the property in the early 1960s, and the complex opened as a military museum in 1991.
The Palace and Architecture
Look up at the entrance gateway for column capitals modeled on those at Persepolis. The two-story mansion offers a different set of details: painted wood overhead, stucco on the walls and colored glass at the windows. The upstairs hall has ceiling paintings of flowers, hunting and festivities.
Museums and Historic Interiors
The lower floor houses historic weapons. Iran’s national tourism portal identifies the furnished rooms on the upper floor as the Ebrat Museum, including sitting rooms and a library. Allow time to look at the painted ceiling as well as the objects on display.
The Persian Garden
Follow the central walk from the gate toward the palace and look back from the pool. The long sightline and water set the mansion apart from the surrounding planting. For a comparison, visit Eram Garden, Shiraz’s component of UNESCO’s Persian Garden property.
Traditional Bathhouse and Teahouse
The historic bathhouse and teahouse stand apart from the palace. The bathhouse offers a contrast to the open garden, with small chambers and domed roofs. The teahouse is known for painted scenes drawn from Ferdowsi’s Shahnameh.
Planning a Visit
Start with the garden walk and leave time for both floors of the palace. If stairs are a concern, ask staff at the gate which interiors you can reach. The lower and upper displays are on separate levels.
The national tourism portal describes the building and museum collections. For another Qavam family property, see Narenjestan-e Ghavam in central Shiraz.
