The Abbasabad World Heritage Garden in Behshahr has been officially excluded from the city’s urban boundaries following efforts by the Minister of Cultural Heritage. This decision was approved during the Supreme Council of Architecture and Urban Planning’s meeting on Monday, 29 Bahman 1403, effectively overturning a previous resolution.
Fatemeh Davari, spokesperson for the Cultural Heritage Deputy Office, stated in a press briefing on Monday: “Following the Minister of Cultural Heritage’s follow-ups and formal request to revoke the previous resolution of the Supreme Council of Urban Planning and Architecture, the matter of removing Abbasabad Garden from the city’s designated area was brought up in today’s 16th session of the council. The meeting was attended by the Minister of Roads and Urban Development, as well as Ali Darabi, Deputy Minister and Cultural Heritage Representative.”
Davari further explained: “With the deputy minister’s arguments and clarification of the potential threats posed by incorporating the garden into the urban zone, the council ultimately approved the removal of the UNESCO-listed Abbasabad Garden from Behshahr’s urban limits.”
According to the spokesperson, Abbasabad Garden is one of the nine globally recognized Iranian gardens and possesses a unique ecological and geographical significance within the Hyrcanian forests. The Iranian government remains committed to its full protection. Consequently, the council decided that all necessary provisions for the garden’s services should be implemented in coordination with the Cultural Heritage Deputy Office and regional authorities—without incorporating it into the city’s boundaries.
Recognized as a UNESCO world heritage site in 1390 (2011) alongside 8 other Iranian gardens, Abbasabad Garden in Behshahr stands out as one of the most exceptional examples of Iranian garden design.
The Splendor of Iranian Garden Design in Abbasabad
Nestled within a lush forest, Abbasabad Garden in Behshahr stands as the largest non-desert garden in Iran, boasting remarkable architectural elegance.
A secondary road connecting Behshahr in Mazandaran province to Gorgan in Golestan province leads to Altappeh village, near which Abbasabad Garden is located, just 6 kilometers southeast of Behshahr. Covering approximately 600 hectares, this historical site is surrounded by a dense forest, offering a striking contrast between greenery and sky.
During the Safavid era, the area now known as Behshahr was previously called Khargoran. In 1020 AH, Shah Abbas I commissioned the construction of this garden as his residence during frequent visits to Mazandaran and northern Iran. What was built under his command is now regarded as one of the most enchanting Iranian gardens, an extraordinary example of Iran’s historic landscape architecture.
Abbasabad Garden features a terraced design with various architectural elements, including a structure at the center of the lake, a historic bathhouse, and two brick watchtowers. The garden also includes stone platforms, landscaped terraces, and remnants of a royal palace, identified in its northern section. Although little remains of its original grandeur, archaeological discoveries of glazed pottery fragments hint at its former splendor. A paved road once connected this palace to the garden, further emphasizing its historical significance.
In the western section of Abbasabad Garden, there is a historic domed bathhouse that once featured elaborate decorative details. Additionally, two 14-meter-tall towers, dating back to the Safavid era, still stand. These towers were not only used for guarding the palace and garden, but also had an engineering function, acting as supports for the garden’s walls.
One of the garden’s most captivating features is its natural lake, spanning 10 hectares. In its center, there is a brick structure, which may have once had a roof. What is most intriguing is that there are no stairs in the structure, leaving its exact purpose during its construction uncertain.
The garden’s water distribution area is known as Golbagh, a 3,500-square-meter space from which water flowed throughout the entire garden. The water passed through clay pipes, reaching the courtyards and pools, where it created a calming and harmonious sound.
Additionally, there is a watermill situated five kilometers south of the garden, accessible via a stone-paved road. This mill was designed to better utilize the water resources necessary for maintaining the garden.
Constructed by Safavid architects on a hill, Abbasabad Garden was designed with staircases to make it easier to reach the garden and its buildings. However, as mentioned earlier, this garden was not meant for public leisure but served as a private sanctuary for Shah Abbas I during his travels to Mazandaran.
