The ‘Versailles of Iran’ — Tehran’s historic Golestan Palace — has become a casualty of the escalating regional conflict. Recent reports and social media documentation have revealed significant damage to the UNESCO World Heritage Site following nearby airstrikes by US and Israel on March 2, 2026. Also read | Step inside 100-year-old traditional wooden mansions in Karnataka
While the palace was reportedly not a direct target, the shockwaves from explosions at nearby buildings have shattered the delicate ‘heavenly’ interiors that defined this 19th-century masterpiece.
A masterpiece shattered
For centuries, the Golestan Palace stood as the crown jewel of the Qajar dynasty, blending traditional Persian craftsmanship with European architectural influences. The most striking feature of the palace is its ayeneh-kari, a traditional Iranian art form where thousands of tiny mirror fragments are arranged in intricate geometric patterns.
In a March 7 Instagram post, content creator Mae Sharifi described the ceilings as being ‘as close to heaven as possible,’ where light danced across every surface, creating an ethereal, shimmering atmosphere. Images shared on Reddit on March 3 and by news agencies show the devastating aftermath.
The Talar-e Aineh (Mirror Hall), which had completed renovations recently, now sits in ruins. The shockwaves caused the delicate mosaic mirrors to detach from the walls and ceilings, carpeting the floors in a snow of silvered glass.
The Takht-e-Marmar (Throne of Marble), one of the oldest sections of the complex, features a spectacular throne carved from pieces of yellow Yazd marble, surrounded by painted tilework and mirror mosaics. On-site documentation shared on Reddit showed that the ornate ceiling ornaments have now collapsed onto the marble platform. While the structural core remains intact, the decorative soul of the hall has been compromised.
Damage across the citadel
The destruction extends through several of the palace’s primary structures. The Golestan Palace suffered significant damage, including displaced windows and a collapsed upper ceiling, shattered windows, and damage to the courtyard roof and framework. The Talar-e Almas (Diamond Hall) was also damaged, with some marble sections affected by debris. These areas featured notable decor and design elements, including traditional costumes, folk art, stained glass, and paintings.
‘Cultural heritage is precious’
Responding to the before-and-after pictures shared online, a Redditor said, “This is tragic… the craftsmanship lost is immense. Hopefully, they can restore it to its former glory with the talent still around. Cultural heritage is precious.”
Another wrote, “I saw a lot of people commenting how ‘It’s just the mirrors that fell out, we can rebuild it’. While of course, there can always be rebuilding, these were not simple bathroom and window mirrors. This is ayeneh-kari, a sophisticated Persian craft (also popular in India) in which this brilliance is created using thousands of tiny handcrafted mirrors. Fortunately, I’ve heard Iran still has Ain-e-kari craftsmen that can do the rebuilding, but still it’s going to require years and a lot of money in restoration efforts.“
Click here to know what UNESCO (United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation) has to say about ayeneh-kari, the art of mirror-work in Persian architecture. UNESCO, on March 2, also expressed concern over the protection of cultural heritage sites amidst escalating violence in the Middle East and is monitoring the situation.
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