Chehel Sotoon Palace in Isfahan: Everything to Know
The Safavid pavilion, reflecting pool and audience hall murals
Chehel Sotoun is a Safavid reception pavilion in central Isfahan. Approach along the reflecting pool for a view of its columned porch, then continue into the audience hall to see the painted scenes.
The garden, porch and painted hall are best understood in that order. Each marks a step from the public approach toward the court’s reception space.
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Beautiful Isfahan
The pavilion stands west of Naqsh-e Jahan Square in what was once a larger network of palace gardens. It and Hasht Behesht are surviving pavilions of that royal precinct.
Chehel Sotoun is one of nine gardens inscribed together in 2011 as UNESCO’s Persian Garden property.
A Brief History of Chehel Sotoon Palace in Isfahan
Shah Abbas I developed Isfahan as the Safavid capital. The royal precinct linked gardens and reception buildings with the public square.
The garden and early pavilion are associated with Shah Abbas I. The surviving palace also reflects building work under his successors.
Chehel Sotoun’s position west of the square placed it inside the palace precinct, close to Ali Qapu, which looks over the square itself.
An inscription recovered in the palace records completion in 1647, during the reign of Shah Abbas II.
Archnet dates a major rebuilding to 1706. The building seen today reflects more than one phase of construction.
Signification of Chehel Sotoon’s Name
Chehel Sotoun means Forty Columns. A familiar explanation counts the wooden columns of the porch together with their reflections in the pool.
The reflection is easiest to see from the pool’s long axis. Wind can break up the reflection, but the water still makes the alignment of the porch and garden clear.
Architecture of Chehel Sotoon Palace in Isfahan
The porch leads into a rectangular audience hall divided into three domed sections. The sequence from open porch to enclosed hall helps explain how visitors moved into the reception space.
Twenty wooden columns support the porch. From the garden you can see their rhythm across the front, and from beneath the porch you can look back through them toward the pool.
A mirrored recess leads from the porch toward the hall. Pause at the threshold to see the change from the open, timber-supported porch to the masonry interior.
The audience hall has six large painted scenes. One shows Shah Tahmasp receiving the Mughal ruler Humayun, while another depicts the Battle of Chaldiran. Compare those large panels with the smaller hunting and feasting scenes below.
The pool runs along the pavilion’s approach. Use it first to see how the garden frames the building, then look back from the porch to see the same axis in reverse.
Chehel Sotoon Palace Nowadays
The palace paintings represent different phases. The Battle of Karnal panel depicts an event from Nader Shah’s reign, later than the Safavid court receptions shown elsewhere in the hall.
UNESCO’s 2011 inscription covers the garden as part of a group of sites. At Chehel Sotoun, the pool, planting and pavilion make that relationship visible.
Access to Chehel Sotoon Palace in Isfahan
The garden lies between Chahar Bagh Avenue and Naqsh-e Jahan Square. If you are walking from the square, make Chehel Sotoun a separate stop from Ali Qapu, which opens onto the square itself.
Planning Time at Chehel Sotoun
Allow time for both the garden and the audience hall. The main sequence is easy to follow from the pool to the porch, but the murals repay a slower look once inside.
Nearby Attractions to Chehel Sotoon Palace in Isfahan
Pair the palace with Ali Qapu for another view of Safavid court architecture, or continue to Hasht Behesht to compare two garden pavilions.
Hotels Near Chehel Sotoon Palace in Isfahan
Given the central location of Chehel Sotoon Palace, it’s easy to find a good accommodation nearby, whatever is your budget. Here are our favorite ones near Chehel Sotoon Palace:
- Ghasr Monshi Hotel
- Abbasi Hotel
- Keryas Hotel
- Isfahan Traditional Hotel
- Parsian Kowsar Hotel
- Aseman Hotel
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Nearby Restaurants to Chehel Sotoon Palace
There are lots of restaurants and cafes around Chehel Sotoon Palace where you can find both street food and traditional local dish. Don’t forget to try Biryani, the most typical Isfahani dish, made with meat. Here are our recommendations for restaurants and cafes near Chehel Sotoon Palace:
- Chehel Sotoon Traditional Teahouse
- Azadegan Tea House and Restaurant
- Emarat Namakdan Cafe
- Meydoon Cafe
- Sogoli Cafe and Restaurant
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