Ancient Urban Gardens of Persia: Concept, History, and Influence on Other World Gardens

Persian garden design, originating millennia before Islam in Iran, represents one of the earliest and most influential garden concepts in human civilization. The chahar bagh or 4-fold garden design, epitomized by Pasargadae—the ancient Persian capital—served as a foundational model that spread globally, shaping gardens from Al-Andalus in Spain to Humayun’s Tomb and the Taj Mahal in India, as well as numerous sites in the United States. This study highlights how Persian gardens, such as Bagh-e-Eram in Shiraz and others like Bagh-e-Shahzadeh and Bagh-e-Fin, integrate climate, art, beliefs, poetry, literature, and romance while often serving as gene banks for flora. Despite historical destruction by invaders, Persians have continuously rebuilt or created new gardens, which remain significant tourist attractions. The research underscores the enduring legacy of Persian garden design in global horticulture.

Fallahi, E., Fallahi, P., & Mahdavi, S. (2020). Ancient Urban Gardens of Persia: Concept, History, and Influence on Other World Gardens. HortTechnology, 30(1), 6–12. https://doi.org/10.21273/horttech04415-19