Green Palace

The Green Palace, also known as the Shahvand Palace and the Stone Palace, is one of the most iconic historic buildings in Tehran and one of the most valuable palaces in the Saadabad Cultural and Historical Complex. The palace stands in the northwest of the Saadabad complex, on its highest point, in the Zafaraniyeh district of Shemiranat County. Its unrivalled views of the Alborz mountain range and the city of Tehran give it a truly unique setting. The present building was constructed between 1301 and 1307 (Solar Hijri) by order of Reza Shah, designed and built by outstanding Iranian architects and artists, and it was the first palace in the Saadabad complex to be put into use. The green stones from the Khamseh mine in Zanjan used on the exterior gave the building its fame as the "Green Palace" or "Stone Palace", and today it is still regarded as one of the finest examples of Pahlavi-era architecture.

Combining Iranian and European architecture in a striking way, the Green Palace houses a valuable collection of authentic Iranian arts. Among its highlights are the Mirror Hall, with its delicate mirror work, artistic stucco, illumination by Master Hossein Behzad, exquisite khatam inlay work, the famous 70-metre Mashhad carpet, and other valuable works of art. Royal furniture, fine European tableware, historic tables from the 18th century and artworks from various periods add to the cultural value of the collection. In the era of Mohammad Reza Shah, the palace was the residence of special foreign guests, and figures such as Jimmy Carter, King Hussein of Jordan and Constantine, the former king of Greece, stayed here. Today the Green Palace is one of the most important museums of the Saadabad complex and a popular destination for anyone interested in Iranian history, architecture, art and culture.

To visit the Green Palace, you can enter the Saadabad complex via Valiasr Street, Shahid Fallahi Street (Zafaraniyeh) or Tajrish Square, and once inside, reach the palace by following the signs or using the complex's internal shuttle service. The nearest metro station is Tajrish Station, from where you can continue by taxi or by buses on the Darband route. Spring and autumn are the best times to visit this historic complex, thanks to the pleasant weather, the lush greenery of the Saadabad gardens and the beautiful mountain views. We also recommend that during your visit you avoid touching historic objects, damaging the greenery, leaving the designated paths and littering the grounds, so that this valuable heritage can be preserved for future generations.