Eram Garden (Bagh-e Eram) | Shiraz, Iran

On Shiraz’s much popular Eram Street, you’ll find the 4-season beauty of Iran’s city of flowers and nightingale: the historical Shiraz Eram Garden (or Bagh-e Eram or bāq e eram). Whether you get to see the blooms and blossoms of its Spring or the golden look of its colorful leaves in fall, this UNESCO-listed Persian Garden will not miss to impress you. Named after the legendary garden of Arabia, the garden’s elegant mansion, its sophisticated irrigation system, its collection of trees and plants, and its fascinating scent and scenery make it not much less of a paradise.

Shiraz Eram Garden or Bagh-e Eram, UNESCO-listed Persian Garden, Shiraz, Iran

Why Shiraz Eram Garden?

• It is a UNESCO world heritage and the perfect epitome of a Persian Garden
• As a botanical garden, it showcases a wide variety of plants
• It includes a nice museum of minerology
• It has amazing springs and falls
• The beauty of the street where it is located is a must-see

Tourists in Shiraz Eram Garden photo

The Story of Shiraz Eram Garden

Eram Garden’s exact date of construction is unclear, but descriptions found in old travelogues show that it existed in Seljiqid Era (11^th -14^th centuries). Over the years, the garden has been renovated or stylistically changed in Zand, Qajar and Pahlavi periods. Since Safavid era, the garden has always been described as elegant in tourists’ accounts. After renovations by Zandieh kings, the garden changed hands to the chiefs of Qashqai tribe in late Zand period and stayed a Qashqai property for some time during Qajar era. It was the time when the original mansion was constructed and different kinds of plants were planted in the garden. Then a Qajar nobleman (from the Qavam family) employed the well-known architect of the time (also the designer of Nasir-ol Molk Mosque) to construct the present mansion while keeping the foundations of the previous.

Shiraz Eram Garden in the pass – Bagh Eram Shiraz

After the fall of Qajar dynasty, Eram Garden was handed back to Qahqai tribe but Reza Shah Pahlavi confiscated it from them for their disobedience. The garden was later repaired and presented to Shiraz University by his son, Mohammad Reza Pahlavi. Now a botanical garden directed by Shiraz University and a cultural sight protected by Iran’s Cultural Heritage Organization, the garden and part of the building are open to public.

Shiraz Eram Garden in the winter photo @ SoOde – Bagh e Eram Shiraz

The Garden – Bagh e Eram

Eram Garden is a perfect epitome of the Persian Garden and an achievement in integrating nature and Persian culture into a physical, symbolic and artistic expression. The garden is divided into 4 sectors with turquoise tiled streams that meet each other in the central pool. To keep the water flowing, the land is uneven throughout the garden and stairs were built here and there to connect the uneven land. Lovely palm trees and flower beds together with a large ornamental pool in front of the mansion have added to the beauty of the colorful façade, creating one of the most photographed spectacles in Shiraz.

Shiraz Eram Garden up view photo

The Mansion in Shiraz Eram Garden

Built in Qajar era with Zandieh architectural elements, the central 3-story mansion is a masterpiece of architecture, painting, tiling and plaster work. Like the garden, the basement was designed in a way to make the hot summer days of Shiraz more tolerable. On both sides of the building, there are corridors ending with staircases that lead to the top floor. The upper floors feature ornamentations inspired from Achaemenid and Sassanid architecture, stone inscriptions, a hall with fine Āina-kāri (Iranian mirror work), and ceilings covered with exquisite oil paintings. From the 32 rooms the mansion houses, the upstairs rooms include the most exquisite artworks found in the house. The central Iwan showcases fine plasterwork, 2 carved columns, and intricate tiling depicting scenes of royal battles and stories of Persian literature. You can find verses of Persian poetry in the tilings, inscriptions and carving of the columns. These charms of the façade together with the tastefully designed metal windows have added to the artistic value of the building.

The central mansion of Shiraz Eram Garden photo

Eram As a Botanical Garden – Bagh Eram

Since 1983, Eram Garden has been employed by Shiraz University as a botanical garden with a considerable number of plant species. The collection includes sub-tropical plants, fruit trees, aromatic myrtles, Japanese blossoms, jasmines and over 200 species of roses. The garden’s towering Mediterranean cypresses have had a world-known fame as Sarv-e Naz and one of them is said to be as old as 3000 years.  Most plants are labelled with their Persian, Latin and common English names.

Mediterranean cypresses known as Sarv-e Naz in Earm Garden photo

The Museum of Mineralogy

A part of the mansion’s ground floor is open as a museum of minerology with a collection of more than 140 kinds of rare rocks, minerals and gemstones.

More About Eram Garden

Things to Do in Eram Garden

The fish pond filled with goldfish and turtles in the eastern side of the garden is a nice place to hang out and meet new people. Dressing up in traditional and local clothing and having your photo taken with the background of a Persian garden or mansion can also be quite fun. A gift shop with Persian handicrafts is also available, making shopping an option. Tasting traditional Iranian desserts at the garden’s outdoor café is also a must-do specially in a warm summer day.

Traditional Iranian food at the garden’s outdoor café photo

The Nearby Attractions

The super popular Tomb of Hafez (10-minute drive) is one of the highlights you can check out near Eram Garden. The other attractions that are also within a 10-minute distance from the garden are the historical Quran Gate and Khaju Kermani Tomb.

Where to Eat Near Eram Garden

Haft Khan Restaurant

Kohan Restaurant

Rotte Restaurant

Bell Passi Restaurant

Fish and Chips Restaurant

Baharan Restaurant

Dakouma Café

Like to visit Shiraz Eram Garden?

Then join one of our multi-day Cultural Tours.