For over 400 years, the Golestan Palace and its ornate mirror halls, lush gardens, and intricately tiled facade have stood as a testament to Persian opulence and the artistic and political heritage of Iran.
The palace, originally built as part of a royal citadel in the 1500s and later renovated and expanded into a royal residence in the 18th and 19th centuries, has remained through centuries of dynastic upheavals, the 1979 Islamic Revolution, and the country’s recent history.
Now, the historic site faces a painful chapter after the US-Israeli strikes on Iran left the palace damaged.
On February 28, the US and Israel launched a joint military operation targeting Iranian leadership in Tehran, escalating tensions into a wider regional conflict.
Within days, the Golestan Palace was damaged by the debris and shock wave that followed an airstrike in the nearby Arag Square, UNESCO said.
The UN agency released a statement expressing concern over damage to the palace and said it had shared the coordinates of nationally significant and World Heritage sites with “all parties concerned” in an effort to help prevent further destruction.
Under international law — including the 1954 Hague Convention — cultural landmarks like Golestan Palace are protected during armed conflict.
As the war continues, the loss in human life and culture is yet to be determined. The damage to Golestan Palace offers one of the first visible signs of how the fighting is affecting Iran’s historic sites.
See how it was affected.
The Golestan Palace was originally built over 400 years ago as part of the royal citadel under the Safavid dynasty.
Over the centuries, the palace, pictured before the US-Israeli strikes, served as the royal residence and ceremonial center.
The palace, pictured after the strikes on Tehran, was impacted by shockwaves and debris.
Artifacts like the Marble Throne feature ornate sculptures and delicate glass structures.
Some of the palace’s decorations were damaged or destroyed during the strikes.
For centuries, this now-damaged room hosted the coronation of Persian royals.
The surrounding room, full of intricate tilework, also suffered damage.
While the Golestan Palace remained structurally safe, its intricate tilework and decorations were badly affected.
The palace houses historical artifacts from centuries of Persian royal history.
More recently, the palace, pictured before the strikes, has served as a museum, showcasing its intricate design to visitors.
Now, in the same room, windows, mirrored surfaces, and tiles lie shattered.
The Mirror Hall in the palace was seen largely undamaged after the strikes.
The hall, seen before the strikes, was built in the 1870s and often hosted receptions and state ceremonies.
Mirrored ceiling tiles fell and broke off during the attacks.
Broken mirror tiles were scattered across the floor.
Some windows also broke during the shockwave.
The palace’s intricate facade, seen before the attacks, expands to the outside as well.
During the strikes, some doors and nearby structures were shaken and broken.
For locals, the damage to the historic residence is only part of the struggle during the ongoing conflict.
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