The iranian garden of Sazdeh
Mohammad Motallebi, the general secretary of the Iranian Society of Landscape Professions and delegate to IFLA, has developed an inventory form of the Sazdeh Garden in Iran, in order to fill out the Historical Gardens Inventory undertaken by the Med-O-Med Programme.
The construction of the garden was promoted by Abdolhamid Mirza Naserodollehand, and it is described as a hot arid and barren land, like a paradise in hell. When the garden opened its doors between the years 1888 and 1897, it was owned by the Royalty.
At the moment, the garden belongs to the Iranian Tourism and Heritage Organization (ITHO), and it is aimed to recreational uses while preserving its historical values.
Regarding the architectural and structural features, the garden is formed by different levels of terraces. The irrigation system mainly comes from qanats, or subterranean artisan wells. When the water emerges to the surface, it flows through an irrigation channel system, giving rise to beautiful waterfalls. Any drainage system has been founded. The garden area is walled and shows a main axis, where the pavilion is located at the end.
From a botanical point of view, the author points out the adverse climate conditions and the lack of water resources. The main vegetal elements are trees, but any of them has a singular value or a remarkable botanic interest. The most relevant tree species are Pines, Cypress, Elm trees, Ashes, Plane trees), Poplars, Salix and Prunus sp. Some shrubs species such as Juniperus and Roses have been identified.
The status of conservation is very good and the ITOH is carrying out the maintenance as well as the rehabilitation works.
