Ali Qapu Palace

Lonely Planet review

The majestic six-storey Ali Qapu Palace, built at the very end of the 16th century as a residence for Shah Abbas I, also served as a monumental gateway (Ali Qapu means the 'Gate of Ali') to the royal palaces that lay in the parklands beyond. Named for Abbas' hero, the Imam Ali, it was built to make an impression and at six storeys and 48m tall it did. French traveller Sir John Chardin described it as 'the largest palace ever built in any capital'.

The highlight of the palace is arguably the elevated terrace with its 18 slender columns. The terrace affords a wonderful perspective over the square and one of the best views of the Imam Mosque. If you look up, you'll see an attractive wooden ceiling with intricate inlay work and exposed beams, reminiscent of the nearby Chehel Sotun Palace.Many of the valuable paintings and mosaics that once decorated the small rooms, corridors and stairways were destroyed during the Qajar period and since the 1979 revolution. However, some remain in the throne room, which leads off the terrace.

On the upper floor, the music room is definitely worth the climb. The stucco ceiling is riddled with the shapes of vases and other household utensils cut to enhance the acoustics. This distinctive craftsmanship, considered by some to be one of the finest examples of secular Persian art, extends to the walls.