Royal Residence of Abbāsābād in Māzandarān: The Pleasure Corner of Shāh Abbās I

Among Shâh ‘Abbâs I’s palaces in Mâzanderân, the ‘Abbâsâbâd estate is outstanding by its original features: it linked an informal garden, the elements of which are loosely assembled around an artificial lake to a formal space, on higher grounds, with a geometrical outlay, more common in the art of Persian gardens. The coexistence of these juxtaposed parts and the close relation of the residence with the surrounding forest, the lack of outside walls customary in Persian gardens, hint at an original relation of some Safavid gardens with the natural landscape i.e. a will to “reproduce” or “preserve” nature in its wilder aspects, with the intent, not of building a great Royal garden, but rather, a simple hunting residence: a gusheh-ye ‘eysh-e shâh, a "pleasure corner for the king".