Persians take their pleasures seriously and for thousands of years gardens have fulfilled, both physically and spiritually, their image of paradise. This book, researched by a leading Persian architect, details over 125 plans of gardens divided into four known as the cross plan or chahr bagh, with one axis longer than the other, has continued as standard design for Persian gardens.
Part 1 History and heritage: gardens of the ancient Orient; "paradises" of the Achaemenids; gardens of the Sasanids; sacred legends and beliefs; the spread of paradise gardens. Part 2 Environment gardens: Isfahan - the garden city; Shriaz - city of cypressess; Tehran - capital of the Qajars; Yazd - Bagh-e Dowlat Abad; Mahan - Bagh-e Shahzadeh; Damghan - Cheshm-e Ali; Tabriz - Shah Goli, Bagh-e Shomal, Bagh-e Fath Abad; Tabas - Bagh-e Golshan; Sari - palace of Shah Abbas; Behshahr - Bagh-e Ashraf, Bagh-e Mellat. Part 3 Gardens: sources of inspiration.