Chehel Sotoun is one of the ruins of the Safavid dynasty in the city of Isfahan, which is also known as the museum-garden. In fact, this garden is a small part of the Jahannama vast garden that Shah Abbas I created core of the Chehel Sotun palace by creation a palace in the midst of that with small rooms around it.

The main porch is based on twenty pillars. Many researchers recognize the palace’s appellation as a reflection of twenty pillars on a beautiful and large pool. Of course, the role of the number 40 in Persian literature (this number is a sign of plurality) may also be another reason for calling the mansion to be forty pillars.

This Imperial Garden was used to welcome guests in ceremonies and celebrations. Then, with the start of the Monarchy of King Abbas II, the seventh king of Safavid, the Chehel sotun mansion was enlarged and added forums and porches. These include the Mirror Hall, the Eighteenth Column Hall, Two large north and south rooms. Mirror Hall, the porches on the sides of the king’s hall and the great pool in front of the Hall with all the decorations of painting, mirroring, tiling of the walls and ceilings. The large hall of the palace during the Shah Abbas II have also been the welcome lodges for official meeting. The palace opened in 1056 AH (1642 AD) with the presence of Shah Abbas II and foreign ambassadors.
The architecture of this palace is a combination of Chinese, European, and Persian art and architecture. It consists of a main porch with a length of 38 meters, a width of 17 meters and a height of 14 meters which is made eastward. The pillars of this octagonal porch are wood of plantain and pine. Four pillars are located on four stone lion. From the mouth of these four stone lion, erupted water into the Marble Dock Hall.

The other part, which is slightly higher, forms the entrance to the hall, and in some respects it is called the mirror hall. It is located on two pillars and is adorned with a wide Mirroring. The ceiling of the hall is made of wooden frames and in various geometric shapes.

The central hall of the palace, dedicated to foreign guests and characters from other countries, contains paintings that present the historical events of different periods. This magnificent hall, which is based on a dome, with colorful and golden designs, are the masterpieces of this era.

The paintings in the palace central hall which some of them were painted in the Qajar era, include the party of Shah Abbas I and II, and Shahtasmasb with the Turks and India kings, as well as the war of Shah Ismail I with Uzbakan. Two other images, one opposite to the entrance to the hall and the other to it, show the Chaldoran War during the time of Shah Isma’il I and the Karnal War in the era of Nader Shah Afshar.