khalvate-e karimkhani

Dating back to 1759, this building was a part of the interior residence of Karim Khan Zand. The basic structure of the Khalvate-e Karim Khani is similar to Takhte-e Marmar. like the latter, it is a terrace(iwan). There is a small marble throne inside the terrace.


The structure is much smaller than Takhte-e-Marmar and it has much less ornamentation. There was once a small pond with a fountain in the middle of this terrace. water from a subterranean streem(the kings qanat) flowed from the fountain into the pond and was later used to irrigate the palace grounds.

Naser-al-Din Shah was found of this corner of Golestan palace. He is said to have spent much time here in rest and repose-smoking his water pipe in quite reflection. In fact, some believe that it was he who dubbed the structure Khalvat(a cozy corner). It seems extraordinary, but the valuable gravestone of Naser-al-Din Shah finally found its way to this quiet corner of the palace after being misplaced for some time. This marble stone with a craved image of Naser-al-Din Shah is indeed a site to behold.