Explore the enigmatic charms of Koozeh Kanani House
Mashhad, in Khorasan Razavi Province, is a major Iranian city and the second-largest in terms of population. Renowned for its historical and natural attractions, the city is a favored destination for travelers. Notable among its landmarks is the Koozeh Kanani House, situated on Shirazi Street, at the intersection of Chahar Bagh Alley and Panjeh Alley. The house’s distinctive architecture adds to the allure of the surrounding alleyway.
Constructed during the 19th century in the Qajar period, the Koozeh Kanani House has a rich history. It served as the Russian Consulate and later as the American Consulate before being acquired by Haj Kazem Koozeh Kanani, a prosperous merchant. Following his tenure, a committee of Khomeini Shahr took ownership of the property. Plans to demolish the house to make way for a new building led to its removal from the Iran’s National Heritage List.
Today, the Koozeh Kanani House functions as the headquarters of the Cultural Heritage Department of Khorasan Razavi Province and hosts a museum dedicated to the Persian Constitutional Revolution. Designated as a cultural and historical site, the municipality prohibits further construction on the property. Despite this, part of the original structure has been demolished, leaving only one of the two original buildings intact.
Qajar architectural
characteristics
Covering an area of over a thousand square meters, the Koozeh Kanani House is divided into two distinct sections, north and south. An exquisite wooden door, slightly below street level, greets visitors at the entrance. Stepping inside, guests encounter a brick-floored vestibule adorned with plasterwork decoration, leading into the rectangular courtyard.
The courtyard features a two-story building with a main door positioned in the southwest corner. The entrance hall, or ivan , boasts four plain round columns coated in white plaster. Beyond this area lies a short corridor leading to the main sections of the Koozeh Kanani House.
Main sections
The house comprises northern and southern structures, detailed as follows:
Southern section: The southern portion of the Koozeh Kanani House consists of a single-story building with a basement. Characterized by a symmetrical layout, the structure showcases staircases on either side of the porch leading to the upper level. The porch is supported by four simple round columns and two engaged columns.
On the ground floor, five rooms are present, with the shahneshin (elegant room) occupying the central position. Spanning approximately 5.7 x 10 square meters, this room features a wooden sash window adorned with colored glass, dividing the space into two smaller sections. Additional rooms can be found on the eastern and western sides of the shahneshin, with a north-facing room boasting three windows overlooking the courtyard.
Moreover, the basement of the southern building comprises five rooms and three entrances, corresponding directly to those on the ground floor. A central staircase, located beneath the porch, provides access to the underground level.
North section: The northern building of the Koozeh Kanani House boasts three floors, divided into two symmetrical and independent sections: east and west. Each floor of this building comprises small rooms of equal size, with four rooms on the ground and second floors, and two rooms on the first floor.
The ground floor features a fountain house adorned with captivating decorations in vibrant colors, flanked by two rooms on either side. Accessible via a corridor and staircase, the second floor leads to vaulted areas designed as cellars to maintain a cool environment within the home.
Historical facts
Initially a private residence, the Koozeh Kanani House later served as a consulate and Hosseiniyeh. Notably, Ayatollah Boroujerdi, a leading Iranian Shia Marja, stayed at this house during his trips to Mashhad. Figures of the Persian Constitutional Revolution era, such as Sattar Khan and Baqer Khan, reportedly visited the house during the Qajar period.
Despite facing the threat of demolition, the Koozeh Kanani House remains a flagship tourist attraction in Mashhad’s Chahar Bagh neighborhood, captivating visitors with its grandeur.
Mashhad, hosting the holy shrine of Imam Reza (PBUH), the eighth Imam of Shia Muslims, is home to numerous historical tourist attractions, with the Koozeh Kanani House ranking among the most prominent. Its unique splendor transcends mere description in writing; a visit is essential to fully appreciate its magnificence. Don’t overlook other historically significant tourist sites in Mashhad during your visit.