Sabet Pasal Palace

Sabet Pasal Palace, also known as the "Versailles of Iran" or the "Stone Palace", was one of the largest and most magnificent houses in Tehran before the 1979 (1357) Revolution. It belonged to Habibollah Sabet Pasal, a prominent Iranian industrialist and follower of the Baha'i faith, and was confiscated after the Revolution. The palace stands in the Amaniyeh area of Tehran, at the northern end of Jordan Street, and covers more than 11,500 square metres. Its design is modelled on the Petit Trianon in the Palace of Versailles complex in France, and in scale and architecture it recalls the great palaces of Europe.

Unlike the prevailing modern architectural trends of 1960s (1340s) Iran, the architecture of Sabet Pasal Palace is Neoclassical, inspired by grand European buildings. With its white marble façade, tall columns and lavish interior decoration, it is regarded as a symbol of the luxury and splendour of the Pahlavi era. The grand residence has a large pool, with a stream of water running beneath the building in the manner of traditional Iranian architecture. The garden also contains a small open-air theatre, and a large car park was planned for evening parties. The main floor area of the house is about 2,000 square metres, spread over two main floors and an extensive basement.

The interior decoration was carried out by the French firm Maison Jansen, which in the 19th century was renowned for designing for royal families. The interior includes thick, dark curtains from Belgium, simple classical plasterwork, wallpapers in coordinated colours, and large fireplaces framed in marble. The palace's heavy wooden doors were brought to Amaniyeh from a French chateau, and their surrounds are decorated with floral plasterwork. This combination of architecture and interior décor shows off the grandeur of the palace and has made it one of the most outstanding works of modern architecture in Tehran. After the Islamic Revolution, Sabet Pasal Palace was confiscated and used as a residential centre and hotel. In 2017 (1396), the building was inscribed on the Iran National Heritage List under number 31744.