# Ali Qapu palace (c. 1597)

URL: https://allhistories.com/iran/timeline/1597-ali-qapu-palace
Location: Isfahan, Isfahan Province
Themes: Culture

On the west side of Naqsh-e Jahan Square, Abbas I develops the Ali Qapu, a gateway palace built in several stages from the end of the 16th century. Its elevated wooden talar terrace lets the shah watch polo and receive envoys, and its upper music room has distinctive cut-out plaster niches.

## Why it matters
The Ali Qapu was the ceremonial entrance to the royal palace complex and shows Safavid court culture on display.

Ruler at the Time: [Abbas I the Great](https://allhistories.com/iran/rulers/abbas-i-the-great)

## Sources
- [Wikipedia — Ali Qapu](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ali_Qapu)
- [Wikipedia — Safavid Empire (period overview)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Safavid_Iran)