Amirabad Garden

The Amirabad Garden and Pavilion, also known as the Amiriyeh Garden, is one of the most magnificent Persian gardens in eastern Iran and dates from the Qajar era. Covering 146,269 square metres, it lies 5 km west of Birjand in the village of Amirabad. On 2 Esfand 1376 (Solar Hijri) it was inscribed on the Iran National Heritage list under registration number 1969. The Amiriyeh Garden has three main parts: the garden itself, with its pavilion, the Kolah-Farangi building and ten hectares of trees; the Char Kaj building, which housed the servants; and the entrance courtyard.

The main pavilion of the garden has an octagonal plan and two storeys. The first floor contains a corridor, and the second floor has a royal alcove (shahneshin) with a cross-shaped plan. Because of its simple design and the absence of luxurious ornament, the building has a façade decorated with geometric brickwork. The Kolah-Farangi building was the residence of the garden's owner, and the servants' quarters are called Char Kaj ("Four Pines") after four ancient pine trees that stand there. Two qanats, one carrying fresh water and the other brackish water, made it possible to create such a lush garden in the drier landscape around Birjand. Part of the complex has now been turned into a university, a museum and a cultural centre. Pomegranate trees, plane trees, pines, and a variety of flowers and fruits give the garden a special freshness and vitality.

To visit the garden, head from the city of Birjand toward the village of Amirabad; the road is paved and has signposts. We recommend visiting in spring or early autumn, when the weather is mild and the garden is at its best. During your visit, please practise responsible tourism: do not remove any parts of the structures, do not damage the trees, and keep the surroundings peaceful so that this heritage can be preserved for future generations.