The text says Shah Abbas the Great ordered the palace built in the early 17th century, while the infobox gives 1597 and says he first celebrated Nowruz there in that year. It was built in stages over about 70 years. The article names no architect. It calls the palace the best example of Safavid architecture, standing on Naqsh-e Jahan Square.
The palace is 157 feet (48 m) high, with six floors reached by difficult spiral staircases. The third-floor hall has 18 columns covered with mirrors, and the Music Hall has deep circular wall niches said to serve acoustic as well as decorative purposes. Wall paintings are attributed to Reza Abbasi and his pupils.
From its upper galleries the shahs watched polo, army maneuvers and horse racing in the square. Most of its ornate doors and windows were looted in periods of unrest. UNESCO listed it in 1979 with the square. The article gives no visiting details.
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