Tehran, the capital of Iran, is now known for its traffic, noise pollution, and polluted air. But once upon a time, people in this great city lived away from traffic, car exhausts, and towering skyscrapers. The architecture and decorations of the houses were designed in a way that provided a sense of tranquility and comfort to those inside. Many of these historical houses are still standing in Tehran and have been turned into museums. However, many of us are not familiar with these astonishing houses and have not seen them. If you are interested in learning more about Historical Houses in Tehran, join us in this article with Eligasht.
Introduction to Tehran’s Historical Houses
Tehran’s historical houses, with their traditional architecture and unique decorations such as tilework, mirrorwork, stucco, and turquoise pools, are among the capital’s main tourist attractions. These houses often belonged to individuals from the upper class and carry stories from the time when these people inhabited them. Many of these mansions, which are quite numerous, are now protected as cultural heritage and have been transformed into museums, allowing everyone to visit them and travel back in time.
In this article from Eligasht, we will make an effort to introduce you to the most magnificent and famous historical houses in Tehran.
1. Negarestan Museum Garden
One of the most popular and beautiful historical houses in Tehran is the Negarestan Museum Garden. This building, constructed during the Qajar period by the order of Fath-Ali Shah, had various uses throughout different periods. It was built in a complex with an area of over 43,000 square meters, of which only about 11,000 square meters remain today. Interestingly, this garden has witnessed significant historical events, such as the imprisonment and assassination of Qa’im Maqam Farahani.
The nearest Museum Garden includes halls, mansions, and important structures such as Salam Hall, Ghalamdān Hall, Delgosha Palace, and several pools. However, the most significant remaining structure from the Qajar era in this complex is the pool, which has now been transformed into the Museum of National Arts. The buildings of the Dāneshsara complex are also among the most important structures in Negarestan Garden.
Address: Baharestan Square, between Safi Ali Shah Street and Dāneshsara Street
Opening hours: From 10 am to 7 pm
2. Masoudieh Mansion
Another historical house in Tehran that is full of beauty and grandeur is the Masoudieh Mansion. This mansion is one of the most beautiful and largest buildings in Tehran, dating back to the Qajar period in the 19th century and built by the order of Naser al-Din Shah’s son. This complex consists of more than 10 buildings and structures, including the Divankhaneh Mansion, Sardar Mansion, Moshir ol-Dowleh Mansion, Sofrekhaneh, and the pool. It was built in an approximate area of four thousand square meters.
Masoudieh Mansion is also considered the first national library and the first national museum in Iran, and it is currently one of the best tourist attractions in Tehran. This historical complex was registered as a national heritage site in Iran in 1998.
Address: Baharestan Square, southwest corner of Ekbatan Street
Opening hours: From 8 am to 4 pm
3. Ferdows Garden Mansion or Cinema Museum
One of the most famous and remarkable historical houses in Tehran is Ferdows Garden Mansion, which is now known as the Cinema Museum or Ma’eri Garden. It is worth mentioning that about 170 years ago, during the Qajar period, Mohammad Shah ordered the construction of a palace called Mohammadieh in the present-day neighborhood of Mahmoudieh. With his death, Mohammadieh remained unfinished. Simultaneously with the construction of the palace, other courtiers in the same area also built another garden and mansion.
Hossein Ali Ma’ir al-Mamalik, one of the sons-in-law of Fath-Ali Shah, continued the construction of historical houses in Tehran and built this particular one in the Ferdows Garden neighborhood, which is now known as Ferdows Garden. This charming garden is designed in the style of the four Iranian gardens, incorporating key elements such as the four main axes, water, trees, the four-sidedness of the environment, and a central pavilion. However, the architecture of the garden mansion is influenced by the Iranian-European style and features beautiful mirrorwork and plasterwork decorations.
About the Cinema Museum:
It is interesting to know that in 1998, Abbas Kiarostami, Ezzatollah Entezami, and some other artists established a museum called the Cinema Museum on Lalehzar Street. In 2002, the museum was relocated to its current location in Ferdows Garden. Today, it consists of nine halls with various themes related to cinema.
Address: Ferdows Garden, Valiasr Street, near Tajrish Square, Tehran
Opening hours: From 10 am to 7 pm
4. Moghadam House
Moghadam House, also known as Ehtesab ol-Molk House, is one of the most important historical houses in Tehran. It was once a magnificent mansion belonging to the Mohammad Taghi Khan Ehtesab ol-Molk family, who were part of the Qajar court. After Ehtesab ol-Molk’s passing, the house was inherited by his son, Dr. Mohsen Moghadam, a professor of archaeology at the University of Tehran. Dr. Moghadam converted this mansion into the Museum of Documents and Handicrafts of Iran and donated it to the University of Tehran in 1972.
This historical house in Tehran covers an area of approximately 2000 square meters and consists of three sections: the outer courtyard, the inner courtyard, and the caretaker’s section. Each section includes smaller areas such as the Qajar porch, greenhouse, master’s building, Japanese pond, rejuvenation wall, sitting room, and Qajar room. Today, this museum house showcases a valuable collection of Iranian ceramics, enamelwork, tilework, textiles, and coins. It is worth mentioning that Moghadam House was registered as a national heritage site in 2000.
Address: Imam Khomeini Street, next to Sheikh Hadi Street, beside Mellat Bank, No. 251
Opening hours: From 10 am to 5 pm
5. Tamashagah Zaman Mansion, Khadadad House
Tamashagah Zaman Mansion, belonging to Hossein Khodadad, an Iranian industrialist, entrepreneur, and merchant, is one of the most remarkable historical houses in Tehran. Khodadad purchased this Qajar-era building in 1963 and restored it using authentic Iranian architecture. This two-story mansion spans an area of approximately 700 square meters and is situated in one of Tehran’s most pleasant and temperate areas.
This historical house in Tehran is also the first Iranian Clock Museum. The blue-colored Time Museum building is located in a large and serene garden, where various Iranian and international antique clocks and other time measurement objects are exhibited.
Address: Valiasr Street, at the beginning of Sarlashkar-e Fallahi Street (Zaferanieh), at the corner of Parzin Baghdadi intersection, No. 12
Opening hours: From 9 am to 5 pm
6. Shaghaghi House, Kushk Mansion
Kushk Mansion, also known as Shaghaghi House, is one of the most beautiful historical houses in the center of Tehran. Dr. Hossein Shaghaghi began its construction in 1931. This building is constructed in the Qajar style and features exquisite decorations such as plasterwork, brickwork, paintings, mirrorwork, tilework, and knotting. Visitors interested in visiting this building must obtain permission from the Cultural Heritage Administration or use specialized tours of Shaghaghi House in Tehran.
Address: Ferdowsi Square, Kushk Street, between Ferdowsi and Lalehzar Streets
7. Motamen Ol-Otaba House
Motamen Ol-Otaba House is another historical house in Tehran, which has also served as a filming location for the “Shahrzad” series. This mansion dates back to the Qajar period and is known as the first three-story house in Tehran. It is attributed to Mirza Zain ol-Abedin Khan Denbali Zarabi, also known as Motamen Ol-Otaba. He was a physician who specialized in Naser al-Din Shah’s court, the first graduate of Darolfonoon, and one of the most famous doctors and prominent surgeons of the Qajar era.
The beautiful brick architecture with large windows, stained glass, and a serene courtyard has made this mansion one of the best locations for photography and filming.
Address: Baharestan Square, Pamnar Street, across from Ayatollah Kashani Mosque, Motamen Ol-Otaba Dead End, No. 13
Opening hours: From 10 am to 6 pm
8. Eyn ol-Dowleh Mansion
Eyn ol-Dowleh Garden Mansion is one of the historical houses in Tehran, built in the 1880s by Eyn ol-Dowleh, a famous Qajar lawyer. This complex consists of a magnificent mansion surrounded by a large pool and a picturesque garden. It is one of the most remarkable historical houses in Tehran and was renovated in 1997 and listed as a national heritage site.
Address: Pasdaran, Heravi Square, Vafamanesh Street, Jamali Street
Opening hours: From 8 am to evening
9. Simin and Jalal House
Other significant historical houses in Tehran are Simin Daneshvar and Jalal Al-Ahmad House. It has an area equivalent to 420 square meters with a built-up area of 250 square meters on two floors and was built under the supervision of Colonel Moeini, a friend of Jalal Al-Ahmad. This mansion, in the architectural style common in the early 1950s, has a simple facade and a “Taq-e-Zarbi” design, which is considered one of the main elements of the second Pahlavi architecture.
This house also features a beautiful courtyard with a large and lush garden, including ancient plane trees and fruit trees. In 2004, it was listed as a national heritage site in Iran.
Address: Dezashib, Shahid Ramezani Street, Rahbari Alley, Pasandideh Alley, Arz Dead End, No. 1
Opening hours: From 9 am to 4 pm
10. Gudar House
André Godard House, a French architect and the founder and head of the Faculty of Fine Arts at the University of Tehran, is considered one of the most remarkable historical houses in Tehran. He lived in Tehran for thirty years during the Pahlavi era. This white house combines the architecture of the first Pahlavi era with European architecture. The exterior facade of the building is simple, but elements of ancient Iranian architecture such as Persepolis and Pasargadae can be seen in it.
Additionally, columns influenced by ancient Iranian structures and multiple round arches, reminiscent of Sasanian architecture, can be observed in this modern house.
It is worth mentioning that this mansion has been converted into a notable café-restaurant.
Address: Enghelab Street, Ghods Street, Poursina Street, Corner of Jalaliye Dead End, No. 2
11. Timur Tash House, War Museum
The next item on the list of Tehran’s historical houses is Abdul Hussein Timur Tash House, the first prime minister of the Pahlavi court. The construction of this mansion dates back to the Naser al-Din Shah Qajar era and features a combination of Iranian, Russian, and Indian architectural styles. The decorations used in this building include mirrorwork, stained glass, lattice windows, and delicate plasterwork.
The first floor of this historical house has been converted into a war museum, displaying various cold and hot weapons and military tools from the Safavid to the Pahlavi period. The basement of the mansion used to be a water reservoir and has now been transformed into a notable café.
Address: South Kargar Street, Pasteur Street, War University
Opening hours: Tuesday from 14:00 to 18:00 and Friday from 9:00 to 18:00
12. Kazemi House
Another historical house in Tehran that is beautiful and worth visiting is Kazemi House, also known as Saray-e Kazemi. It was built by Mirza Seyed Kazem Tafreshi during the reign of Mohammad Shah Qajar and features Qajar architecture. The house had various sections including the exterior, interior, Shah Neshin (a special reception room), kitchen, water reservoir, windcatcher, laundry room, and stable. Currently, only the Shah Neshin section remains. Notable decorations in this mansion include ornate doors, stained glass windows, plasterwork, and wood carving.
This mansion has been converted into a museum with different sections.
Address: 15 Khordad Street, Abolghasem Shirazi Alley, Imamzadeh Yahya Alley, No. 66
Opening hours: 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM (except Mondays and public holidays)
13. Dabir Ol-Molk House
Dabir Ol-Molk House is the last item on our list of Tehran’s historical houses. Its original owner was Mirza Mohammad Hussein Khan Farahani, known as Dabir Ol-Molk, who was a prominent figure during the time of Naser al-Din Shah. The house is symmetrically designed, with the Shah Neshin room in the center and other spaces on either side. Today, this mansion is known as the “Leisure House of Dabir Ol -Molk” and has various sections, including the main hall (Shah Neshin), escape room, solitude room, cinema room, studio, workshop, and playroom.
Address: Baharistan Square, below Sar Cheshmeh intersection, Ghavam ol-Hozour Alley, Javid Street, Fakhr ol-Molk Alley (Hanifnejad)
Opening hours: 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM (except Saturdays)
Final words
In this article, we introduced 13 of Tehran’s most famous historical houses and provided a general description of their distinctive features. We hope that we have helped enhance your knowledge of Tehran’s attractions and landmarks.
Related post :
The Most Magnificent Castles of Iran | Remnants of Ancient Times
Dehdashti Mansion, the first four-story building during the Qajar period
Dr. Hesabi House Mueseum | A Glimpse into Tehran’s Intellectual Heritage
FAQ
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What are some of the most famous historical houses in Tehran?
Tehran is home to several notable historical houses that reflect the city’s rich cultural heritage and architectural diversity. Some of the most famous historical houses include Negarestan Garden, Moghadam Museum, and Masoudieh Palace.
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What architectural styles are represented in Tehran’s historical houses?
Tehran’s historical houses showcase a variety of architectural styles, reflecting the city’s diverse cultural influences and historical periods. Key architectural styles include Qajar Architecture, Pahlavi Architecture, Islamic Architecture
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Are the historical houses in Tehran open to the public?
Yes, many of the historical houses in Tehran are open to the public and have been converted into museums or cultural centers. Visitors can explore these houses to learn about their historical significance, architectural features, and the lives of their former inhabitants.
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How can I learn more about the history and architecture of Tehran’s historical houses?
To gain a deeper understanding of the history and architecture of Tehran’s historical houses, consider the Guided Tours, Museums and Cultural Centers, Books, and Online Resources.