Brilliant Hall, the Memorial of Iran's Constitutional Movement
On the eastern side of Aaj Hall, there are several halls and beautiful rooms with many mirrors, chandeliers, fireplaces, stairs, and entrances that the floors of which are lower than that of Aaj Hall and other halls. Brilliant Hall is one of these halls.
Before the construction of Brilliant Hall, there was a Crystal Hall or palace in its place. About the Crystal Hall, which was considered one of the buildings of Fath Ali Shah's era, no information can be found in the books and writings except for the name and a brief reference, and there is no image left of it that can show the design and shape of the building. It seems that this hall is called Crystal due to having many mirrors or due to its octagonal crystal pool and chandeliers that the Russian Emperor Alexander I sent to Fath Ali Shah. As far as we know, this hall must have been standing until 1882 AD because Etemad al-Saltaneh has mentioned the existence of this hall several times in his writings.
During the time of Naser al-Din Shah, who destroyed most of the old buildings of the citadel due to wear and tear and built new buildings, this hall was also demolished and a hall called Brilliant Hall was built in its place, but it seems that the floor of the new hall was placed on the foundation of the same hall and for this reason, they could not raise its floor as high as the floor of other halls. Because in 1900 AD during the reign of Muzaffar al-Din Shah, the foundation of the building of the hall was damaged, many repairs were made in the building, and they added to its decorations and splendor. This matter was mentioned in the poems of the oval stone inscription that was carved and installed on the facade of the hall.
A very elaborate and beautiful oil painting picture of Brilliant Hall before the repairs and changes during the reign of Muzaffar al-Din Shah was painted by Abul Hasan Khan III (Yahiya Khan son of Abul Hasan Khan Sani al-Mulk Ghafari) in 1887 AD, which is now hung on the wall of Golestan Palace Reception Hall. Under this picture which shows the interior state of the hall, its mirrors, chandeliers, and furniture, it has written as follows: "According to the order of the His Majesty the king, the brilliant Hall was renovated by Abul Hasan Khan in 1887 AD.
Brilliant Hall, the Memorial of Iran's constitutional movement
On the occasion of the 117th anniversary of the signing of the constitutional decree, the "Iranian Constitutional Movement Conference" was held from 5th to 9th August 2023 in Golestan Palace.
The programs of this conference included a series of specialized and scholarly meetings on the subjects of photography, literature, political and legal ideas of Iran's constitutional movement, and an exhibition of photos and documents of the constitutional movement and unseen photos from the Golestan Palace album were held.
In addition, the Brilliant Hall was opened and named “Brilliant Hall, the Memorial of Iran's Constitutional Movement" after restoration, reconstruction, arrangement, and preserving the originality based on the pictures and documents left behind, in the presence of Dr. Darabi, the Honorable Vice President of Cultural Heritage.