Historical Monuments, Golestan (Part 1)
Palaces, Edifices and Towers, Golestan
Aqa Mohammad Khan Palace, Gorgan
This palace was built by Aqa Muhammad Khan-e-Qajar and is situated in the south of Gorgan. Its architectural affects are related to the 12th century A.H.
Ekhtesasi (Exclusive) Palace, Gorgan
The same is located in Gorgan Park and is in two floors. Currently this palace and its surroundings are used as public library in the city of Gorgan.
Shasaman Palace, Gorgan
This palace is situated in Gorgan and was built in 795 A.H. by Amir Teimoor. This palace overlooks the banks of the river. Some travelers and geographers like Hafez Abrou have mentioned this in their records. According to him, after Amir Teimoor assaulted all the territory of Mazandaran this palace was constructed as his residing quarter in Gorgan. The original building was a castle which had been built by Abu Bakr-e-Shasamani in the year 761 A.H., and in 795 A.H. Amir Teimour constructed a palace here and spent the winter of the same year in this vicinity.
Towers
Gonbad Qaboos Tower, Gonbad Kavoos
The same is a majestic structure made of brick, with special technicalities and affects of art, related to the 4th century A.H. This structure which is located on a hillock amidst the grand park of Gonbad Kavoos city, is the tomb of Shams-ol-Mali Qaboos Ebne Voshmgir Ziyari (the ruler of the times in Gorgan and a famed scholar as well).
The tower is a fortified building, constructed by strong elements, and consists of beautiful ornamental works in proportionate lines adorned with harmony. The said structure consists of three parts - foundation, the main building and the dome which is conical, rising to an elevation of 55m. The actual structure rests on a round base, 2 m of which is above the ground, and the rest lies as an underground base.
The tower is artistically designed with ten triangular patterns at regular intervals. Two simple epigraphs in the cuneiform embossment script can be observed on the construction dating to 397 A.H. The tower has been constructed of red brick, but this color has changed to a golden yellow, under effect of sun rays. The conical dome reaches a height of 18 m. with a plain, polished and a steep gradient surface. Vaulted arches can be noted at the entrance of the tower and this adornment dates to the works of art in the early Islamic period. The Gonbad Kavoos Tower was built in the year 397 A.H. and is on historical record in Iran.
Radkan Qarbi (West Radkan) Tower, Kord Kooy
This tower is located near the Radkan village, 24 km. south of Kord Kooy and 54 km. to the southwest of Gorgan. The same is situated on a strategic hillock. Constructed on simple lines, this brick structure rises to a height of 35m. It does display artistic affects and with two Kufic inscriptions on which the name of the founder and date of construction (407-411 A.H.) can be noted.
The dome is bi-coated and conical in shape. The internal design of Radkan tower is circular with simple design. The whole structure has been built of bricks similar to that of the Gonbad Qaboos Tower, and internally the architecture is also simple. It is the resting abode of one of the ancient commanders.
Source: chnpress.com
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Geographical Position, Golestan
Townships, Golestan