Qapu

Qapu is a Persianate term meaning gate or portal, written قاپو in Persian. It is used in Persian, Persianate languages, and Turkic-influenced regions to designate gates, entrances, or gate-like structures. The term has lent its form to place names and architectural labels across Iran and Central Asia; cognates appear in Turkish kapı and related languages, reflecting shared origins in the broader Turkic-Persian linguistic sphere.

Notable example: Ali Qapu, also spelled Aali Qapu, is the best-known structure bearing the name. It is part of the Safavid imperial complex in Isfahan, built during the late 16th to early 17th century under Shah Abbas I. Ali Qapu functioned as the ceremonial gate connecting the royal palace to Naqsh-e Jahan Square and as a venue for official receptions. Architecturally, it is a multi-story pavilion with a grand portal, richly decorated interiors featuring woodwork and plasterwork, and an upper terrace used for audiences and performances. The building exemplifies Safavid-era ceremonial architecture and the integration of palace and public space.

Other uses: In addition to Ali Qapu, the word appears in other gate names in Iran and in regions influenced by Persianate culture, where "qapu" identifies entrances to fortifications, palaces, or city gates. In modern contexts, the term is sometimes transliterated as "Aali Qapu" or "Ali Qapu" and is recognized as a marker of historical architecture rather than a contemporary term.