Kerman is one of the five highly attractive and touristy cities of Iran, and every year many tourists visit its various tourist attractions. This city, known for its historical and traditional texture and diverse tourist sites, is considered a popular tourist destination for Iranian tourists. One of Kerman’s tourist attractions that you may have heard less about is Fathabad Garden, also known as Bagh-e Biglarbeigi. If you are interested in visiting historical gardens, join us in this article by Eligasht to introduce Fathabad Garden, the Taj Mahal of Iran.
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Introduction to Fathabad Garden
Fathabad Garden, also known as Bagh-e Biglarbeigi, is a garden dating back to the Qajar era, located in the city of Kerman, just like the Iranian Taj Mahal. This garden is located 25 kilometers from the center of Kerman, in the Ekhtiarabad area. It is worth mentioning that this garden was registered on February 12, 2003, in the list of national monuments of Iran. Fathabad Garden and mansion were once very magnificent and had a style and design that became a model for the construction of the Prince Mahan Garden complex.
Today, Fathabad Garden has been restored and features landscaped paths, a large pond, exceptional night lighting, and various facilities such as a restaurant and tea house, making this garden and historical building a popular destination for many Iranian and foreign tourists. Stay with Eligasht to learn a little about the history of this complex.
History of Bagh-e Biglarbeigi
Fathabad Garden, also known as Bagh-e Biglarbeigi, is a beautiful and flourishing garden built by the grace of Ali Khan Biglarbeigi, one of the rulers of Kerman. It should be noted that Biglarbeigi was an old title for the rulers of Kerman, and that’s why this garden is also called Bagh-e Biglarbeigi. This garden and mansion were built in 1255 AH (Islamic calendar). The history of Fathabad Garden dates back to the Qajar era, as its construction process began during the reign of Mohammad Shah Qajar and was completed after five years.
This garden was so beautiful and remarkable that after Ali Khan Biglarbeigi, other rulers of Kerman also used it for rest and recreation. However, in the end, one of Ali Khan Biglarbeigi’s descendants Rostam Khan Amiri decided to put an end to this hereditary cycle of using the garden and dedicated it. It is worth mentioning that this complex has been restored in recent years, and although it is considered one of the endowment properties of Kerman Province, its restoration has been carried out under the supervision of the Cultural Heritage Organization.
Introduction to the Architecture of Fathabad Garden
As we mentioned, Bagh-e Biglerbigi had such an interesting architecture and structure that it became the model for the beautiful and famous Shahzadeh Mahan Garden. For this reason, you might be interested in learning a bit more about the architecture of Fathabad Garden. It is worth mentioning that this complex covers an area of 13 hectares, with a building area of 1,500 square meters.
The Fathabad complex is built in the style and context of Iranian-European architecture. Upon entering the Fathabad mansion, you will first see a large pool in front of the spring, reflecting the main mansion on its water surface. The main building, which is a two-story structure, is located at the northern end of the garden.
Different Sections of Bagh-e Biglerbigi
Now that we have learned a little about the architectural style of Bagh-e Biglerbigi, it is good to know a bit more about the different spaces within this complex. Fathabad Garden has various sections, which we will introduce in more detail below.
Main Building
This building is constructed with arched facades on both sides, and the rooms are either three- or five-door rooms. The materials used are raw bricks and clay mortar, covered with a layer of plaster. Beautiful plasterwork is also applied inside the building. Skilled craftsmen of that era adorned the surfaces of the walls, entrance facades, arches, and around the stoves with magnificent and remarkable plasterwork. Furthermore, the rooms of this historical mansion are decorated in the traditional Qajar style and beautifully illuminated.
The most famous and beautiful of these rooms is the Shahnehshin (royal) room. In addition to this, above the entrance door of the main building, there are windows that used to have magnifying glasses placed inside to reflect the light of the lamps and illuminate the interior of the room. On top of the door, there is also a noticeable plaster inscription decorated with beautiful Nastaliq calligraphy, which bears the verses “In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful” and “Victory is from Allah, and the conquest is near.” Beside this inscription, the date 1310 AH (Hijri) is engraved. Most likely, the building underwent reconstruction in this year.
Governors’ Museum
One of the other sections of Fathabad Garden is the Governors’ Museum. In this part of the garden, as the name suggests, a museum has been established, showcasing images and biographies of various governors of Kerman. If you are interested in the historical background of Kerman, a visit to this museum would be delightful.
Painting Room
The main mansion of Bagh-e Biglerbigi has a room known as the Painting Room. It is interesting to note that this room used to be the residence of the governor of Kerman in ancient times, and that is precisely why precious paintings and murals are delicately crafted around it. Some individuals have damaged and stolen the gold used in some of these paintings and decorations. Although some of these murals have survived, currently, the doors to this room are closed to visitors until the completion of restoration and the installation of glass protection over the paintings.
Southern Buildings, Main Mansion
In the southern part of the main building, a rectangular courtyard can be seen, with rooms built on both sides of it. It should be noted that some of them have entrances from inside the mansion, while others have entrances from the courtyard.
Four-Season Mansion
Another remarkable part of the beautiful Fathabad Garden is the Four-Season Mansion. If you go about thirty centimeters east from the main mansion, you will see the Four-Season Mansion, which has a single floor, a central dome, and magnificent columned ivans, adding special grandeur, splendor, and beauty to the garden complex. The brickwork and plasterwork of this mansion are so beautiful that they impress every tourist and particularly amaze foreign visitors with admiration for Iranian artistry. It might be interesting for you to know that nowadays this room has a VIP function, meaning it is rented out for various ceremonies and celebrations.
Garden Pool
The passage of the canal through the middle of the splendid Fathabad Garden and the presence of the Four-Season Mansions, the Central Mansion, and the Tower, have created a beautiful and joyful complex like the Taj Mahal in India. The presence of a pool as a main element and structural component is among the main characteristics of ancient Iranian garden architecture, which is also observed in Fathabad Garden. The pool in front of the mansion was built for the same reason and has remained intact to this day. It can even be said that water played a significant role in shaping the garden to the extent that its absence would have led to the disappearance of the garden and the existing mansion within it.
Medicinal Plant Cultivation Fields
You may know that the city of Kerman is famous for its herbal medicines. These medicines are considered one of the main souvenirs of this region. Interestingly, during the reconstruction of Fathabad Garden, the authorities made an interesting decision. They allocated a part of this garden for cultivating medicinal plants. This way, not only was the capacity of the surrounding lands utilized but also income was generated for the complex to cover its expenses.
It should be noted that this complex is currently considered the largest medicinal plant cultivation complex in the country, and its plant diversity is unmatched anywhere else. As for the water used for irrigating the fields, it should be mentioned that due to the drying of the Fathabad Canal, wells and water purification systems have been constructed in the complex to provide water for the lands.
Ancient Trees
One of the very interesting features of Bagh-e-Biglar Beigi is its ancient trees. In fact, in a part of the garden, five old and very tall trees catch the eye, which is a testament to the prosperity and glory of Fathabad in the past and has survived the ups and downs of fate.
Restoration of Fathabad Garden
After the restoration operation, Fathabad Garden turned into one of the most beautiful Iranian gardens. In the restoration of this complex, a central area was formed, which has great historical significance. This space also transformed into a research, agricultural, and recreational center for the people.
Among other restoration operations, it is worth mentioning the restoration and strengthening of the entire structure, column stabilization, foundation reinforcement, roof reconstruction, restoration of the molded spaces including the greenhouse, restoration of the pools, and design of water features. It should be noted that the recreational historic gates of Fathabad were opened for public use in July/August 2015, in the presence of the governor of Kerman and the Minister of Interior, marking the end of months of continuous work by master craftsmen and cultural heritage experts. Now, the garden has returned to the lives of the people of Kerman.
Various Facilities at Bagh-e Biglarbeigi
At Fathabad Garden, there are facilities available for visitors, including a restaurant, a juice house, and a tea house. They serve a variety of foods, herbal and scented drinks, medicinal and aromatic plants, Kermani faludeh (a traditional dessert), and traditional ice cream in these spaces. Outside, there are chairs placed for visitors to enjoy the garden while eating. Additionally, there are wooden pergolas in the garden, called “Kapar” by the Kermani people, where visitors can sit. Craft stalls and herbal plant sales are also among the other facilities in the complex.
Furthermore, in the Four Seasons Mansion of Bagh-e Biglarbeigi, there are facilities for holding seminars, official and business meetings, family and student gatherings, birthdays, and other occasions. This mansion is rented out with private parking. In addition, there is the option to stay in this garden, and depending on your budget, you can rent one of the royal chambers, the Four Seasons Mansion, or regular rooms.
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Visiting Fathabad Garden
After reading about Bagh-e Biglarbeigi, you might be encouraged to visit this scenic complex. It’s important to know that there is an entrance fee to visit this place. The working hours of this complex are from 9 am to 8 pm. You are also not allowed to bring food, animals, or vehicles inside. Visiting this mansion is even more enjoyable due to its extraordinary lighting at night. The best season to visit the garden is spring.
How to Get to Bagh-e Biglarbeigi?
Unfortunately, public transportation cannot be used to reach Bagh-e Biglarbeigi, so it’s better to either drive yourself there or use internet taxis and agencies. To access this complex, you need to go to Jomhuri Boulevard. After passing through it and Havaniruz Boulevard, the magnificent mansion and garden will come into view.
Tourist Attractions Nearby
Among the tourist attractions near Bagh-e Biglarbeigi that you can visit after visiting this complex are the Nafar Castle, located 3 kilometers away, Baghcheh Bibi amusement park, also 3 kilometers away, Ganjali Khan Bazaar, 21 kilometers away, Ganjali Khan Bathhouse, also 21 kilometers away, Vakil Bazaar, 22 kilometers away, and Ganjali Khan Caravanserai, 21 kilometers away.
Final words
Fathabad Garden, also known as Bagh-e Biglarbeigi, is one of the historical tourist attractions in the beautiful city of Kerman, and every year, many tourists visit it. This garden and mansion belong to the Qajar period and have a combination of Iranian and European architecture with magnificent decorations. One of the main reasons for the significance of this garden is that it later became a model for the construction of Shahzadeh Mahan Garden in Kerman. The complex has been restored and is now listed as a national heritage site, with various added amenities. If you are interested in visiting ancient Iranian gardens, don’t miss a visit to this garden.
FAQ
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How do I get to Fathabad Garden?
Fathabad Garden is located in Kerman, Iran. If you are traveling from Tehran, you can take a domestic flight to Kerman Airport. From there, you can hire a taxi or use public transportation to reach the garden, which is located approximately 12 kilometers from the city center.
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Are there entrance fees to visit Fathabad Garden?
Yes, there is an entrance fee to visit Fathabad Garden. The fee is nominal and helps with the maintenance and preservation of the garden. It is advisable to check the current entrance fee before your visit.
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Are there guided tours available in Fathabad Garden?
Yes, guided tours are available in Fathabad Garden. These tours are led by knowledgeable guides who provide insights into the history, architecture, and botanical wonders of the garden. Joining a guided tour can enhance your experience and help you appreciate the garden’s significance.
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Is there a best time to visit Fathabad Garden?
Fathabad Garden is beautiful throughout the year, but the best time to visit is during the spring and early summer months when the garden is in full bloom. The weather is pleasant, and the flowers are at their vibrant best. However, visiting during other seasons also offers a unique charm, as the garden transforms with the changing colors of nature.