Shazdeh Garden, also known as the Prince’s Garden, is a stunning historical Persian garden located near Mahan, about 6 kilometers from Kerman province in southeastern Iran. Built during the late Qajar dynasty in the late 19th century, it spans 5.5 hectares and is a rectangular oasis surrounded by desert, earning its UNESCO World Heritage status in 2011 as part of Iran’s nine Persian gardens.
Commissioned initially by Mohammad Hasan Khan Sardar Iravani around 1850, the garden’s construction was later expanded by Abdolhamid Mirza Naserodolleh, a Qajar prince, around 1870. Its design leverages a natural slope, channeling water from the Tigaran aqueduct and Chopar Mountains via the Qanat system. This gravity-fed irrigation powers a cascade of fountains and pools, irrigating lush trees and flowers amidst the arid landscape—a testament to Persian ingenuity in water management.
The garden features a two-story entrance pavilion, residential rooms, a kingly mansion (now a restaurant), and baths, all framed by towering trees and pathways. Its stepped layout and incomplete tilework hint at the prince’s untimely death, which halted some construction. Today, it stands as a serene retreat, best visited from February to May or October to November for its mild climate and vibrant blooms.
This desert oasis challenges the notion of barren landscapes, reflecting a cultural vision of paradise. Its enduring beauty invites reflection on how ancient techniques sustain life and heritage. Curious about its architectural details or visitor experiences?
