Molla Bashi House of Isfahan is a historic residence that was registered as a national heritage site in 2002 and is located in the center of Isfahan, on Hasht Behesht Street. Molla Bashi House, also known as Motamedi House (as it belonged to the family in the past decade), contains artifacts from the Safavid, Zand, and Qajar periods. Although the exterior and the patio are not very surprising, upon entering the hallway to go inside, people are captivated by its attractive decoration and architecture. Stained glass and mirrored walls are part of the prominent architecture of this house. The remarkable stucco decorations among the colorful tiles that decorate the ceiling give the place a wonderful look.
Each of the rooms in Molla Bashi House in Isfahan has a unique and flawless decoration. The paintings, stained glass, mirrored walls, and writings clearly show the architectural differences between the Qajar and Safavid periods. The Motamedi family dedicated more than 7 years to the restoration of Molla Bashi House in Isfahan to make it available to visitors. One of the unique features of this house is that all the rooms are carpeted, and the presence of Persian carpets gives the visitor a sense of being at home.
Book flights from London to Tehran and Tehran to London with Eligasht UK:
History of Molla Bashi House in Isfahan
Molla Bashi House in Isfahan was one of the houses that survived the great destruction in Isfahan during the time of Zel-e Sultan, the son of Naser al-Din Shah, the Qajar kings. Zel-e Sultan was known for the destruction that was carried out on his orders. Molla Bashi House in Isfahan was purchased by a famous astronomer named Molla Bashi, who took good care of this historical building. Molla Bashi was the astronomer of Naser al-Din Shah Qajar, who was sent to Isfahan for a mission. In 2000, this house was acquired by the Motamedi family, and for this reason, it is also called Motamedi House.
Who was Mulla Bashi?
Mulla Bashi was the astrologer of Naser al-Din Shah who was sent on a mission to Isfahan. The story of Mulla Bashi in Isfahan dates back to the Qajar era and the rule of Zell-e Soltan, the eldest son of Naser al-Din Shah Qajar, in Isfahan. Zell-e Soltan was not chosen as crown prince because he was born to a non-Qajar mother. This caused him to develop complexes and engage in behaviors to demonstrate his power. Among his actions was the creation of an army with uniforms of Austrian soldiers. He also hired teachers from Germany to teach these soldiers combat techniques.
Zell-e Soltan either completely destroyed or brought to the brink of destruction all the relics of the Safavid era. Even more surprisingly, he caused damage to Iran’s nature in the Miankaleh area. He completely eradicated many of Iran’s native animals in Miankaleh, such as the Maral (Red Deer), the Caspian tiger, and others.
But what connection does Zell-e Soltan have to a figure named Mulla Bashi?
After reading the above, you have some understanding of the history and figures of Mulla Bashi’s time. During the period when Zell-e Soltan was ruling in Isfahan, Mulla Bashi was living in Tafresh and had no connection to Isfahan yet. Moreover, the house known as Mulla Bashi of Isfahan did not exist yet. This means that although the beautiful house had been built, it was in the hands of the government, and Mulla Bashi had not yet purchased it. However, a strange event sent Mulla Bashi towards Isfahan.
What event led Mulla Bashi to Isfahan?
Due to the destructive and unconventional actions of Zell-e Soltan, his devout wife objected. To protest his immoral behavior, Zell-e Soltan’s wife took residence in the home of Agha Najafi Akhund, a religious dignitary and trusted figure of that era in Isfahan. The house of Agha Najafi Akhund is now known as the Constitution House, which is only a 15-minute walk from the Mulla Bashi of Isfahan house. As a result, the two houses are very close to each other.
Continuing the story, Zell-e Soltan, to punish his wife, gathered all his sons and told them that whoever killed their mother would receive half of his wealth!
This event actually happened, which caused unrest and tension in Isfahan. This situation then drew Mulla Bashi to Isfahan. Mulla Bashi was a moderate individual, dressed in clerical attire, who was called to Isfahan to calm the tense atmosphere that had been created.
Architecture of the Historical Mulla Bashi House
The Mulla Bashi house in Isfahan is an attractive example of Iranian houses in Isfahan. Like other Iranian houses and mansions, the Mulla Bashi house is divided into two sections: the “Andaruni” or private area, and the “Biruni” or public area. When Mulla Bashi acquired the house, it had a five-door room and a winter room. After Mulla Bashi bought the house, the Shah-Neshin (king’s room) rooms were added to the mansion.
In fact, we can divide the Molla Bashi House in Isfahan into three parts:
Outer Courtyard
The renovation and restoration of the courtyard are more striking compared to other parts of the house. At the end of this beautiful patio, there is a sunlit room overlooking the street. A staircase also leads you to the veranda and the roof of the building.
Summer House
From the courtyard, you can access the summer room, which has notable Zand-era characteristics. The paintings on the walls of this room depict the names of planets and months in ancient Persia. As mentioned, this room features Zand-era architecture. Access to this section of the residence is facilitated by a captivating corridor and passageway adorned with striking lighting and decorations from the Zand period. A sundial is situated in the summer house, complemented by a centrally located pool designed to regulate the indoor temperature during the warmer months.
The summer house of the Mollabashi is also referred to as the “Howz Khaneh”. The inclusion of a Howz Khaneh exemplifies the Iranian architectural tradition of creating cool environments for the summer. This octagonal Howz Khaneh features three-door sections on both the east and west sides, linking the inner and outer rooms. The roof is supported by plastered columns, showcases an octagonal skylight, and is embellished with gold-leaf decorations.
Shah Neshin (Royal Chamber)
This area is among the most well-preserved and intact sections of the house, having withstood the test of time. It is regarded as the most exquisite and captivating room, attracting numerous visitors. Commonly known as the “Nine-Door Room,” it enchants guests with its orsi-style windows and vibrant stained glass, creating a harmonious interplay of color and light. The intricate plasterwork and mirror designs are mesmerizing, and the presence of antique treasures such as chandeliers and elegant candlesticks infuses the room with a lively atmosphere.
Inner Courtyard
The inner courtyard of the Molla Bashi House in Isfahan is where you can be captivated by the arts of the Safavid and Qajar periods and discover the historical aspects of a traditional Iranian residence.
In the “Five-Door” rooms, a window is positioned above the walls. This window not only served as a passage for servants but also provided a discreet vantage point for observing religious ceremonies conducted within the house. The women residing there could witness these ceremonies from the windows without being visible to outsiders.
The entrance doors to the rooms are decorated with muqarnas tiles. A blue pool in the center of the courtyard gives a traditional Iranian atmosphere to this house. A rectangular room was designed and used to host special guests and was large enough to hold various celebrations.
Additional Information about Molla Bashi House in Isfahan
Visiting Hours
Molla Bashi House in Isfahan is a private property, meaning there is no systematic cultural heritage or ticket sales system. Therefore, there are no specific entry and visiting times, but the best times to visit are during normal hours, such as 9 am to 7 pm.
Best Time to Visit
The climate in Isfahan is temperate, dry, and with low rainfall. Generally, it can be said that the best season to travel to Isfahan is autumn. However, Isfahan becomes very crowded during this season. If you want to go to Isfahan during this season, you should book your hotel in advance, especially if you plan to travel to this scenic city during the autumn holidays.
Access to Molla Bashi House in Isfahan
As you know, Molla Bashi House is located in Isfahan. If you want to travel from Tehran to Isfahan, you can travel by car and bus from the west or east terminals of Tehran, or by plane from Mehrabad Airport to this city. This house is located on Hasht Behesht Street, North Malek Street. The historical Molla Bashi House is only a 10-minute drive away from Si-o-se-pol Bridge.
Final words
The historic Molla Bashi House, which dates back to the Zand and Qajar periods, is one of the most beautiful Iranian houses. This building also clearly displays architectural features related to the Safavid period. Molla Bashi House in Isfahan, along with other important tourist attractions in the city such as Naqsh-e Jahan Square, Ali Qapu Palace, Chehel Sotun Palace, etc., is always on the itineraries of Iran tours so that tourists who travel to Isfahan can enjoy exploring this beautiful historical mansion.
Related post :
- Getting to know the Amir Chakhmaq Square in Yazd
- Naqsh-e Rostam | A Window into Ancient Persia
- Get to Know the Modarres House Museum Better
FAQ
What is Molla Bashi House?
Molla Bashi House is a historic house located in Isfahan, Iran. It was built during the Safavid dynasty, which ruled Iran from 1501 to 1736.
What is the architectural style of Molla Bashi House?
Molla Bashi House is a great example of traditional Iranian architecture. It features a central courtyard, surrounded by rooms and hallways. The house also has a beautiful garden, which was a common feature of Iranian architecture during the Safavid era.
What can visitors see inside Molla Bashi House?
Visitors to Molla Bashi House can see a variety of historic artifacts and architectural features. The house includes a traditional tea house, and a number of beautifully decorated rooms. Visitors can also see the intricate tilework and stucco that are characteristic of Iranian architecture.