El Goli (Persian: ائل گلی, romanized: El Goli, Azerbaijani: ائل گؤلۆ, romanized: El Gölü), also called Shah Goli[1] (Persian: شاه گلی, romanized: Šāh Goli, Azerbaijani: شاه گؤلۆ, romanized: Şah Gölü) is a large historic park (or garden) in the south east region of Tabriz, Iran.[1] One of its main features is its large artificial lake, measuring approximately 55.000 m2/592.015 ft square.
Tradition dates the construction of the park to the late 18th century.[1] However, it may have been built earlier as well; some sources suggest as far back as the 14th century.[1] In the Qajar period the park was restored and high terraces were added.[1]
The northern side of the lake was built up, which, according to Penelope Hobhouse, makes the lake "appear to float over the valley".[1] A causeway leads out to a pavilion, today the site of a restaurant.[1] The pavilion was once crowned with a dome.[1] From the west hillside, a spring feeds the lake, a cascade descending in five terraces.[1] The sight is flanked by poplar trees and willows.[1]
Etymology
The park was first named Shah Goli (Shah Gölü), the "Royal Lake" or the "Royal Pond".[1] After the Islamic Revolution of 1979, the park and the surrounding were renamed as El Gölü, "lake of the people".
