Hasht Behesht


Hasht Behesht, literally meaning "the Eight Heavens" in Persian, is a 17th-century pavilion in Isfahan, Iran. It was built by order of Suleiman I, the eighth shah of Iran's Safavid Empire, and functioned mainly as a private pavilion. It is located in Isfahan's famous Charbagh Street.

Structure

As indicated on its name, the two-story pavilion of Hasht Behesht was built on the hasht-behesht plan, that is a type of floor plan consisting of a central hall surrounded by eight rooms. The building is of an octagonal shape, and has two main entrances. Four larger sides of it feature large balconies, under which some tall and thin wooden columns are raised.
The pavilion is decorated with mural paintings, perforated woodwork, prismatic mirrors, tilework, and plasterwork.

Gallery