Located in Isfahan, Iran, Chehel Sotoun is a stunning palace situated in the heart of a garden at the end of a long pool. Constructed by Shah Abbas as a pleasure pavilion and reception hall, the palace features twenty slender wooden columns that rise to a superb wooden ceiling with crossbeams and exquisite inlay work. The interior of the palace is adorned with many frescoes and paintings that depict historical scenes, including some of the great battles of the Safavid era. There are also aesthetic compositions in traditional Persian miniature style which celebrate the joy of life and love. The garden surrounding the palace is an excellent example of the classic Persian garden form and is among the nine Iranian Gardens which are registered to Unesco’s World Heritage list.