Ali Qapu (Tabriz)

About

Ali Qapu (Persian: عالی‌ قاپو) Ala Qapu was a palace complex in Tabriz which was initially built in the 16th century, during the Safavid era. The palace was entirely reconstructed in the 19th century, during the Qajar era, when a Qajar- style neoclassical building, named Shams-ol-Emareh, was constructed with its four stories, crowned by a pediment and a dome. In the 1940s, following a period of neglect, the palace was demolished during the Pahlavi era. It was a tall pavilion-type building located in central Tabriz, near today's Martyrs’ Square. After its destruction, the large area it had occupied was used for the construction of the East Azerbaijan Governor's Office, alongside the Tabriz Municipality building and the Central National Bank's branch complex.

Two theories exist concerning the origin of the palace's name:

During the Safavid era, in the context of rivalry with the Ottoman Empire, the Ottomans referred to the residence of their sovereign as "Bâb-ı Âli" ("Sublime Porte," literally "Grand Gate"). The Safavid shahs, in turn, ordered that the palace in Tabriz be named "Ali Qapu." The term "Ali" may derive either from the Azerbaijani Turkic word ulu/ala meaning "great" or "grand," or from the Arabic-origin word "ali" meaning "exalted" or "supreme." According to another theory, "Ali Qapu" was in fact "Ala Qapu," meaning "colored gate" or "red gate," since "ala" in Azerbaijani Turkic denotes “red.”

Some researchers maintain that the Ali Qapu Palace in Isfahan was constructed on the model of the one that had already existed in Tabriz. The building was already standing during the reign of Shah Abbas I. When Abbas Mirza was crown prince, the palace became the residence of Qajar princes and became widely known as "Ali Qapu." During the reign of Naser al-Din Shah, influenced by Tehran’s Shams-ol-Emareh, the building was renamed "Shams-ol-Emareh". In the reign of Mozaffar al-Din Shah, major renovation works were undertaken, and on the northern side of the garden, a harem building was constructed. In the Qajar era, the Ali Qapu garden held special significance during Ashura ceremonies. It was the site of chest-beating and sword-striking rituals, and the crown prince would present shawls to the leaders of the mourning processions. This was also the place where the renowned vocalist Abul-Hasan Khan Eqbali Azar became famous for his powerful performances during Muharram ceremonies. Ali Qapu had three main gates: the first for the use of Qajar crown princes and state officials; the second, on the eastern side, for public access, particularly for those attending Muharram rituals; and the third, the harem gate, reserved for members of the royal family and close associates of the crown prince.

The Ali Qapu Palace, with its multiple floors, halls, original design, and architecture, was among the most unique buildings of its time. Its mirror-decorated walls and large reception halls for distinguished guests were notable features. The artists and architects of the period designed the palace with great care and refinement, using marble to give it a grandeur befitting royal authority. The interior decorations were remarkable for their seven-colored tiles and bricks, as well as rare stucco ornamentation applied on the ceilings. Rich in animal and floral motifs, much of this artistic work was executed by the famous painter Reza Abbasi, to whom most of the decorations are attributed. On the western side of the palace were two symmetrical spiral staircases. In addition, there existed a special "royal staircase" designated exclusively for the shah and his close circle. Outside, a relatively large copper pool was situated, further enhancing the aesthetic beauty of the building. The palace revealed different architectural appearances depending on the perspective: from the front, it appeared as a two- or three-storied structure, while from the rear it seemed one-storied, although in reality the Ali Qapu had four floors.

Adapted from Wikipedia (CC BY-SA). Photography via Wikimedia Commons.