Akbarieh Garden, Birjand

Akbarieh Garden is one of the most valuable historical gardens in Iran and one of the most prominent tourist attractions of Birjand, in South Khorasan Province. Combining authentic Iranian architecture, lush greenery and a rich history, it holds a special place among the country's historical monuments. Construction of the complex began in the early Qajar period and was expanded in several stages through to the Pahlavi era; its present form was shaped mainly in the time of Ebrahim Khan Shokat al-Molk. The complex was added to Iran's National Heritage List in 1999 (1378 SH), and in 2011 it was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List as part of the serial property "The Persian Garden". Akbarieh Garden once stood in the village of Akbarieh; with the growth of Birjand it now lies within the city limits, and it is regarded as an outstanding example of Persian garden design in the arid climate of eastern Iran.

The historical complex consists of several mansions, northern and southern gardens, a large pool, tree-lined avenues and service buildings. Its oldest part, the Heshmat al-Molk Mansion, dates from the late Zand and early Qajar periods, while the central mansion, used for ceremonies and receptions, is considered one of the most beautiful parts of the complex. The garden was designed on the Persian chahar bagh (fourfold garden) pattern. Features such as the placement of the mansion at the highest point of the garden, the creation of the garden on sloping ground, permanently flowing water channels, the use of straight lines in the layout, and the harmonious blending of greenery with architecture are among the main reasons for its World Heritage listing. The Mirror Hall, the kolah-farangi (European-style hat) dome, muqarnas decoration and rasmi-bandi (geometric ceiling work), lattice-style orosi windows, ancient pine, pomegranate and mulberry trees, the central pool and the lush gardens give the complex an incomparable charm. Today, different parts of the garden house an archaeology museum, an anthropology museum, a museum of notable figures of South Khorasan, a carpet museum, an art gallery and other cultural spaces, so visitors can enjoy the historical architecture while learning about the culture and history of the region.

Akbarieh Garden is located at the end of Moallem Street in Birjand, and it is very easy to reach from the city center. Travellers arriving by air can get to the complex in a short time after landing at Birjand Airport. The best time to visit Akbarieh Garden is spring and autumn, when the weather in Birjand is milder and the garden is at its most beautiful. A visit usually takes one to two hours, and a separate ticket must be bought to enter its museums. During your visit, please help preserve this valuable national and world heritage by not damaging the historic buildings, keeping quiet in the cultural spaces, refraining from picking flowers and plants, and keeping the site clean.