Abbas Abad Historical Complex, Behshahr

The Abbas Abad Historical Complex of Behshahr lies about 9 kilometres from the city of Behshahr in Mazandaran Province, on the slopes of the Alborz mountain range and surrounded by dense forest. It is considered one of the largest historical gardens in Iran. It was built during the reign of Shah Abbas I of the Safavid dynasty, in 1020 and 1021 AH (lunar Hijri), on a site formerly known as "Khargoran". In the past the Abbas Abad complex was also called Ashraf al-Belad, a name that refers to Shah Abbas's mother, Ashraf al-Moluk. Shah Abbas I ordered this garden to be built in Behshahr, his mother's hometown, so that he would have a place to rest and relax during the hot summer months. The Abbas Abad garden covers an area of about 600 hectares and is inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List as part of the Persian Garden.

The most striking architectural feature of the Abbas Abad complex is that it was built in a completely symmetrical layout. To construct the buildings of this garden, the architects used clay pipes, pottery and sarooj (a traditional waterproof mortar), and built it in a terraced form. One of the most important structures in the historical complex is the brick chahar taqi (four-arched building), which stands out like a small island in the middle of the garden's lake. Although the chahar taqi is built of brick, interestingly you will not see any brick steps around it. The charm and beauty of Abbas Abad lie in the way its historical buildings are set within lush nature and beside its lake. As you stroll through the garden, a gentle, pleasant breeze drifts through the forest trees onto your face, your eyes are drawn to the historical brick and clay structure in the middle of the lake, and your heart calms at the sound of the lake's water. The different parts of the complex include the Abbas Abad Dam, the reservoir and the lake behind the dam, the flower garden (Gol-Bagh), the palace, the bathhouse, a water mill and two brick towers. The complex was built with a terraced design in the heart of the forest, and its water engineering is also remarkable; for example, its dam has a capacity of about 600,000 cubic metres, and its wall was built of sarooj.

Abbas Abad Lake is one of the most amazing and beautiful sights in Behshahr, located within the Abbas Abad garden complex, and among its brick structure you can discover the history of Iran from several hundred years ago. This pleasant, tranquil lake covers an area of 10 hectares and has a depth of about 10 metres. When the lake is filled, you see nothing of Abbas Abad Lake in Behshahr except a roof and a few shrubs and plants, because the structure, which is 18 metres high, goes under water. In the past, two springs, called Ghori Cheshmeh and the Upper Spring, along with meltwater from winter snow, supplied the water of Abbas Abad Lake in the garden complex, and this water reached the lake through clay pipes. In the old days the lake's water was important because it was used to irrigate rice paddies and to supply the villagers' water needs. Evidence suggests that in the past Abbas Abad Lake also protected the dam from collapsing by relieving water pressure, and played a role in strengthening it.

After a time, in addition to its technical function for the dam, the lake also came to be used as a recreation spot. The garden is easy to reach in every season of the year, and each season gives it its own special beauty. The Abbas Abad Historical Complex can be reached from the main Behshahr–Gorgan road; after turning onto the branch road near kilometre 1, follow the narrow forest road for about 4 kilometres until you reach the complex. The best time to visit is spring and early summer, when the weather is mild and the surrounding forest is green. To preserve the historical and natural value of the complex, visitors are advised not to leave any litter, to stay on the designated paths, and to avoid any interference with the historical structures.