This is a map of Tabriz which has been drafted about 500 years ago. This map is now in the Top Kapi museum is Istanbul, Turkey. Based on the descriptions, I guess the large palace in the left bottom corner should be the famous Hasht-Behesht palace. Hasht-behesht means eight-paradises. (By the way, paradise is originally an Iranian word that has been imported to the European languages after Greek invasion of Persia. For detailed information on the etymology of the word, you may visit this website.) The great palace was founded by Uzun Hassan, the famous king of Agh ghoyunlu dynasty in 15th century. During this dynasty, Tabriz was the capital of the prosperous empire. Back then Tabriz was the fifth most populous city in the world (The first was Beijing.) Unfortunately, the palace does not exist anymore. It had been looted by Ottomans after the Chaldran battle and then was ruined by severe earthquakes that unfortunately hit Tabriz regularly once every two centuries or so. However, exact description of the palace and its magnificent ornaments exist in the literature remaining from that era, including the travelogues of Venetian merchants (not Marco Polo!). In one od these descriptions, it was written that the palace is located on the other side of river and could be accessed from the rest of the city after passing bridges (as you see in the map above). (I am having doubts! Maybe the whole picture is just the map of the palace complex! I do not know. We should consult an expert! I am not a historian.) In fact, Uzun Hassan had a christian wife (the Greek princess of Trabuzan, named Despina) who had close ties with Venetians and accepted Venetian delegates to her court so they had the chance during Despina's days in power (while she was a favourite with the king) to take a close look at the palace.
As I told you before, Tabriz carpet is very famous. Tabriz carpet comes in many different style. One of the styles is to depict long lost treasures and passages from old texts. The following exquisite silk carpet is an example. As far as I know, it depicts a famous scene from old scripture describing a slave market in the antiquity. I wonder why no attempt has been taken to depict and revive the lost glory of Hasht-behesht palace of Tabriz in carpets. Now that, thanks to the travelogues of the Venetian merchants of 500 years ago, we have the exact description of the palace, it should be feasible to depict it. I am sure such a carpet with the design of this long lost glorious palace will be very popular both among the locals and tourists.
Two centuries after founding this glorious palace in Tabriz, during the Safavid dynasty, the Capital was moved to Isfahan and another palace with the same name was built in Isfahan. This second Hasht-Behesht palace is well preserved and can be visited. For more information about the Hasht-Behesht palace in Isfahan you may visit this website .
As I told you before, Tabriz carpet is very famous. Tabriz carpet comes in many different style. One of the styles is to depict long lost treasures and passages from old texts. The following exquisite silk carpet is an example. As far as I know, it depicts a famous scene from old scripture describing a slave market in the antiquity. I wonder why no attempt has been taken to depict and revive the lost glory of Hasht-behesht palace of Tabriz in carpets. Now that, thanks to the travelogues of the Venetian merchants of 500 years ago, we have the exact description of the palace, it should be feasible to depict it. I am sure such a carpet with the design of this long lost glorious palace will be very popular both among the locals and tourists.
Two centuries after founding this glorious palace in Tabriz, during the Safavid dynasty, the Capital was moved to Isfahan and another palace with the same name was built in Isfahan. This second Hasht-Behesht palace is well preserved and can be visited. For more information about the Hasht-Behesht palace in Isfahan you may visit this website .
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