Ali Qapu, Six-floor palace in Naqsh-e Jahan Square, Isfahan, Iran
Ali Qapu is a six-story palace on Naqsh-e Jahan Square in Isfahan featuring stone staircases and wooden terraces supported by 18 columns. The interior spaces at different levels contain administrative offices on lower floors and royal chambers positioned above them.
Construction took place between 1595 and 1614 under Shah Abbas I as part of a larger urban plan for this central square. The building represents Isfahan's rise as a royal capital during the Safavid era.
The Music Hall on the top floor has rounded niches built into the walls and ceiling that were designed to amplify musical performances. Visitors can see how carefully these spaces were engineered for sound.
Visitors should be prepared to climb many staircases to explore the different levels and reach the upper chambers where the most decorated spaces are located. Wearing comfortable shoes helps since the path through the floors involves considerable walking.
The ceiling decorations by artist Reza Abbasi feature intricate patterns of vases and rose-water containers created using detailed plasterwork. These artistic details often go unnoticed by visitors who move through quickly.
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