An Introduction to Research on Rural Historical Gardens of Iran

This paper would be an introductory research on Rural Historical Gardens of Iran. After giving a brief description and definition about Rural Historical Gardens of Iran, the paper in its first stage will provide a list of more than sixty Rural Historical Gardens around Iran. These gardens will be introduced with their locations in a table. The table will also include some more general architectural features of these gardens, such as the period of construction, shape (architectural concept), size and slope. Afterward, the paper will focus on seven gardens of the list, selected from various geographical regions of Iran. These gardens are Afzalian in Gonabad, Sarhangabad around Zavareh, Tabaghabaghy around Khoy, Aliabad around Bojnourd, Nouri around Kerman, Neshat around Neishabour and Sadri around Taft. The author would try to introduce these gardens in more detail,such as their historical background and their preliminary owner or owners, period of construction, size, slope, direction, building and site elements, and also give some specific information about their architectural concepts. At the end of this part a summary of the characteristics is given mentioning for instance the development of these gardens around Iran and that most of them belongs to Qajar period and are still alive. At the final part and according to the information given on the previous sessions, thepaper will discuss on the reasons why research on Rural Historical Gardens of Iran is valuable. Firstly, the number (quantity) and the condition (quality) of these gardens are considered. The data showed, there are many unknown Rural Historical Gardens around Iran, which need to be inspected and introduced to researchers. Most of these gardens are not still known or listed by the organization of National Conservation and Cultural Heritage of Iran or even studied by researchers. The information about the remaining is also rare and incomplete, for instance an architectural plan of the whole garden may not be available. It also showed that most of these gardens are still in a good condition, some still work properly, although most of them need serious restoration and need to be considered in a broad national conservation plan. Through further discussion, the variety of architectural concept of these gardens are considered. The similarities between these gardens and the famous palatial gardens of Iran and also some of their rare or innovative architectural concepts could introduce several issues for further studies. The location of these gardens in rural areas among residential or cultivated fields seems to show a sort of strong historical interrelationship between people and gardens in last decades and centuries. This seems to be an important factor which may lead us towards the reasons, why the Rural Historical Gardens of Iran are still kept alive by the people or how they might bring pride and identity for local residents.