Mellat Palace, Iran
The boulevards intersecting the heart of northern Tehran somehow remind me of the Twelth Arrondissement (12eme) in Paris. There's an almost poetic blend of urban decay, genteel Persian sensibilities and the fading tones of the last breath of autumn. The mountains that embrace Tehran are popular tourist destinations, and the ski resorts that dot the mountain tops are usually filled with European guests.
Mellat Palace was the Summer Residential Palace of the Last Shah of Iran. Despite its austere edifice, the palace is located in a sprawling grounds. There is a sense of beauty in the stark contrast of alabaster and stone against the green hills that surround the palace.
It was cold day that day. It rained incessantly, and the temperatures dipped to below 0 degrees. Despite the chill in the weather, We decided to brave the rain and sleet to venture into the grounds to see the grandeur of the past.