Ali Qapu Gate, Qazvin Explained

Ali Qapu Gate
Built:16th century
Location:Qazvin, Iran
Height:17 meters

The Ali Qapu Gate (Persian: سردر عالی قاپو) is a historic gate in Qazvin, Iran. Located at the beginning of the Sepah street, it is one of the 7 gates leading to the Safavid royal complex, and the only surviving one.[1] [2]

History

The gate was built by the order of Shah Tahmasb, as part of the larger royal complex that he commissioned after he moved the capital from Tabriz to Qazvin. It exists in its current form since the rule of Shah Abbas. There is calligraphy by Alireza Abbasi in thuluth script decorating the gate.

It was the southern and the most important gate to the Safavid royal complex, leading to a group of palaces and pavilions, of which only Chehelsotun remains now.

Jean Chardin describes the building as having an inscription reading "گشاده باد به دولت همیشه این درگاه به حق اشهد ان لا اله الا الله"[3]

References

  1. Web site: دولتخانه صفوي را در قزوين ببيند/ مجموعه‌ای بزرگ با آثاری از چند دوره تاریخی - ایسنا. 2021-11-08. www.isna.ir.
  2. Web site: مرمت 90 درصدی سردر عالی‌قاپو قزوین نسخه چاپی خبر خبرگزاری فارس. 2021-11-08. www.farsnews.ir.
  3. سیر تاریخی بنای شهر قزوین و بناهای آن، دکترسید محمد دبیرسیاقی، صفحه ۴۹۳، انتشارات حدیث امروز با همکاری اداره کل میراث فرهنگی استان قزوین

36.2657°N 50.0031°W