Sun Palace, Tower palace in Kalat, Iran
Sun Palace is a cylindrical tower structure in Kalat built from stone, brick, and plaster, containing twelve decorated rooms throughout its height. The building features black marble walls and intricate plaster ornaments in every section.
Construction began in 1738 under Nader Shah Afshar following his campaigns in India, bringing both Iranian and Indian architectural styles into the design. This blend of influences came from the connection between Persia and the Indian subcontinent during this period.
The palace takes its name from Khorshid, meaning Sun in Persian, honoring one of Nader Shah's wives. The black marble walls and detailed plaster work visible today reflect this personal dedication in the building itself.
The building functions as an anthropology museum with exhibitions about regional traditions and daily life in Razavi Khorasan Province. Allow time to explore the different levels and chambers to appreciate the full design of the structure.
Underground chambers beneath the palace consist of eight connected rooms arranged around an octagonal platform. Access is through four rows of pyramid-shaped stairs, an unexpected architectural feature in this structure.
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