Reviewing the the Khorshid gate in Naghsh-e-Jahan square Based on descriptive-historical and visual documents

Abstract

Statement of problem:Naghsh-e Jahan square has been formed as a prominent urban space in Isfahan with the interaction of economic-residential, religious, and governmental sectors in the Safavid period. This square has entrances to connect with each other. One of this square’s routes was toward governmental part is the gate known as Khorshid. The study of this gate helps to identify the uses around the square, spatial relationships, and hierarchy of access during the history. Some researchers study the transformations in square and evaluate Naghsh-e Jahan square. This research reviews the Khorshid gate for the first time based on the historical-descriptive and visual documents of Safavid era until first Pahlavi period. Methodology:this research has used library and field data. By evaluating the descriptive and visual documents of different historical periods and present condition, the evolution process of gate was determined from Safavid era until the collapse of Pahlavi. Purpose:This research aims to explain the evolution process and the use of the Khorshid gate from Safavid period until today by evaluating available historical-descriptive and image document. Conclusion:the evaluations revealed that in Safavid period, the given gate with three other similar gates, have been the entrance of king’s seraglio but the Khorshid gate alone connected the seraglio’s passage to the western side of Naghsh-e Jahan square. Visual documents also showed that this facade, as some other royal gates of Safavid period, has been two flats building with center doorway and false arches on both sides. In Qajar period, by destroying seraglio, the given gate has been used just as the entry of Khorshid gate. In the first Pahlavi period, this gate was destroyed and it is in the same situation until today.