Palace Kolah Farhangi
The Kolah Farhangi palace in the city of Rasht (Gilān region) is located in the Qods park (Mohtasham garden), next to the Gouharrud river. This palace, which in the past was the summer residence of the rulers and governors, was built in the year 1287 of the solar Hegira and in the qajaro period.
The reason for choosing the name "Kolah farhangi" for this building is the great resemblance of the upper floor with the cylindrical hat (European).
The octagonal palace Kolāh Farhangi in the construction of which was used brick, wood and stucco, has four floors but from the outside it seems that it has three floors. The first and second floors both have two rooms with windows.
The roof of this beautiful building has been covered with tiles and all around the building the first floor is shaped Iwan and the second-shaped wooden balcony and 68 columns support the balcony and the roof; the projecting part of the building has been decorated with a wooden molding in the shape of a lion's head and has a double covering.
The head of the lions, the wooden columns and the balcony railing are the decorative elements of this building. In different historical periods the building has had various uses and has now been used as a center for the teaching of traditional arts in the Gilan region.
The Mohtasham garden is the oldest park in the city of Rasht; in the past it was wider than now but with the passage of time and with the extension of the city, its size has decreased until it reaches the current one.