Tehran’s museum treasures, architectural wonders
Tehran is often referred to as the “City of Museums,” housing the highest number of museums in Iran and offering unparalleled diversity in its collections. A significant portion of these museums is situated within the historical fabric of Tehran, particularly in its central neighborhoods such as Oudlajan and Sangelaj. According to municipal officials, approximately 80% of the city’s museums are found in this area, making it essential for nearly 70% of those looking to explore Tehran’s museums to enter this region. These museums hold particular importance due to their architectural significance and the priceless artifacts they contain. If you’re on the hunt for hidden treasures in the heart of the city’s museums, be sure to continue reading this report:
By Sadeq Dehqan and
Leila Imeni
Staff writers
National Museum of Iran
The National Museum of Iran, also known as the Museum of Ancient Iran, boasts over 80 years of history. It is not only the largest archaeological and historical museum in Iran but is also considered one of the largest museums in the world regarding the volume, diversity, and quality of its artifacts.
Located at the beginning of Si Tir Street, the museum occupies a floor area of 2,744 square meters and, due to the antiquity of its collections, is regarded as one of the world’s premier museums, having been inaugurated in 1937. The building was designed by French architect André Godard, with its exterior inspired by Taq Kasra.
The museum houses a wide range of artifacts dating from the 6th millennium BCE through various Islamic periods, displayed over two floors. In the museum, items are categorized into prehistoric, pre-Islamic, and Islamic periods, showcasing unique artifacts for which no monetary value can be assigned.
Among the notable artifacts displayed in this museum are items from the Elamite civilization found in Chogha Zanbil, including a bull sculpture, inscriptions, clay tablets, and glass tubes. Additionally, significant works from the Achaemenid and Sassanid periods stand out as some of the most important artifacts of these eras.
Glass and Pottery Museum
The Glass and Pottery Museum is housed in a historic building from the Qajar period, situated on Si Tir Street in Tehran. This site was registered on Iran’s National Heritage List on May 7, 1998, and it ranks among the most visited museums in Tehran, attracting over two million visitors annually.
The museum’s octagonal structure is set within a 7,000-square-meter garden, featuring exquisite doors and windows that reflect the elegance of Seljuk architecture.
Spanning two floors, the museum comprises five halls: two on the first floor dedicated to glass and pottery from the pre-Islamic period, and three on the second floor showcasing artifacts from the Islamic period.
A notable feature of the museum’s interior is its display cases, which draw inspiration from the columns of Persepolis, the ceremonial capital of the Achaemenid Empire, in Fars Province and occasionally the Zoroastrian Fire Temple in Naqsh-e Rostam, an ancient archeological site and necropolis located about 13km northwest of Persepolis. These unique designs enhance the overall aesthetic of the exhibits.
Among the highlights are some of the oldest glass pieces, known as glass cylinders, which were discovered at Chogha Zanbil, an ancient Elamite complex in the Khuzestan Province, and date back to the second millennium BCE. The first floor also features prehistoric artifacts, including the oldest handmade pottery from the Parthian period, dating back to the first millennium BCE.
Post and Telegraph Museum
The Post and Telegraph Museum opened its doors in January 1991. Housed in one of the oldest and most elegant government buildings, the museum features two floors filled with various halls and booths, making it an ideal destination for enthusiasts seeking to explore historical and ancient artifacts.
Established in one of the oldest and most elegant government buildings, it is an ideal destination for enthusiasts of historical artifacts.
Constructed in 1928 CE during the tenure of former post ministers Soor Esrafil and Nezam al-Din Hekmat, the museum covers an area of 15,000 square meters on Imam Khomeini Street. The building features columns in the neo-Achaemenid style, which were so successful that they were later adopted in a grander form for the Nezmiyah building.
Nestled in the cultural and historical area of Mashq Square, the museum is surrounded by structures dating from the Qajar period to the early Pahlavi era. Construction materials used in the museum mirrored those found at the entrance of the National Garden and in other buildings around Mashq Square.
The museum comprises eight booths spread across two floors. The first floor houses ceremonial or ministerial booths that showcase portraits of post, telegraph, and telephone ministers, from the first minister, Ali Quli Khan Mokhber al-Dowleh, to the current minister.
A highlight of the first floor is the domestic stamp hall, featuring 1,100 series of stamps from the Qajar, Pahlavi, and contemporary periods. This area includes two display cases showcasing stamp plates related to Thomas Edison and Ahmad Shah Qajar. At the end of the hall, you can find a model of a Qajar postman and a depiction of a post street.
The second floor features the international stamp hall, which displays stamps issued by 130 member countries of the Universal Postal Union. Additionally, there are horizontal display cases featuring stamps donated by various personalities and envelopes sent from different countries.
The postal objects booth offers a fascinating collection of old postal scales and sample mailboxes from various countries, including Brazil, Egypt, Canada, Germany, Mexico, and Sweden.
Malek National Library and Museum
The Malek National Library and Museum is a significant scientific and cultural center affiliated with the Astan Quds Razavi Foundation, located in the National Garden area on Mashq Square. It houses valuable items, some of which are unique worldwide. The center spans over 5,000 square meters of land, with a built area of approximately 9,000 square meters, combining traditional architecture with Islamic-Iranian art crafted by artists from the Astan Quds.
The museum was founded and endowed by the late Haj Hossein Aqa Malek, son of Haj Mohammad Kazem Malek al-Tojjar. The original building, which served as Malek’s private residence, is situated in the Beyn al-Harameyn Bazaar in Tehran. This single-story structure, dating back to the late Qajar era, features two sections: inner and outer. Haj Aqa Malek converted it into a museum in 1937.
The museum displays exquisite handwritten books and various artifacts collected by Malek throughout his lifetime, including rare books, coins, stamp collections, paintings by Kamal al-Molk, carpets, and more.
Coin Museum
Established in 1963, the Coin Museum is located on Imam Khomeini Street. It showcases a diverse collection of coins from various periods of Iranian history, ranging from the coinage of central Iran during the Achaemenid era to the present day. Notably, the museum features an impressive display of coins from the Sassanid period, alongside a complete array of coins from the Safavid era, struck in various cities across Iran.
In addition to Iranian coins, the museum houses foreign currency, including commemorative coins from the Montreal Olympic Games in Canada and the Asian Games held in Tehran in 1974. Among the collection are also gifts received from Bank Sepah, as well as a copy of Ferdowsi’s Shahnameh inscribed by Amir Toman, accompanied by his rifle used during the Azarbaijan unrest and the struggle against the Russians.
National Jewelry Museum
The National Jewelry Museum of Iran is located in Tehran, on Ferdowsi Street, directly across from the Turkish Embassy. Operational before the Victory of the Islamic Revolution, the museum was closed for a time but reopened to the public in 1990.
Among the museum’s most significant treasures are the Darya-e Noor Diamond, the Takht-e Tavous (the throne of Fat’hali Shah) and the Naderi Throne (a gemmed and enameled throne made during the Qajar era). It features a remarkable display of royal jewels from various Iranian dynasties, including the Safavid, Afsharid, Qajar, and Pahlavi periods.
This unparalleled collection represents only a fraction of Iran’s vast jewel heritage, which has remained intact and unlooted. The gems showcased are considered unmatched worldwide, and the collection holds unique artistic and historical significance. Even expert scholars have found it challenging to estimate its true value.
National Arts Museum
The National Arts Museum is located in Tehran at Baharestan Square, Kamal al-Molk Street, within the building of the Ministry of Culture and Islamic Guidance. Established in 1930 through the efforts of the esteemed Hossein Taherzadeh Behzad — an artist, painter, and designer of carpets and miniatures — the museum showcases a rich collection of Iran’s artistic heritage.
In the time of Fat’hali Shah, the current site was home to a large garden extending from the north at Hedayat Street to the south at Baharestan Square. Today, the only remnants of that garden and palace are the pond house (howzkhaneh), which now houses the National Arts Museum. This structure dates back to the Qajar era and was built in the southernmost part of the Negarestan Garden. The museum takes its name from this historic garden.
The pond house features a unique design, complete with four shahneshins, the luxurious halls, that open into the garden. Its domed roof is supported by four stone columns. The museum’s collection highlights the best of Iran’s national arts, including miniatures, gilding, inlay-working, tile-working, carpet and textile weaving, velvet embroidery, enamel-working, engraving, and marquetry.
The National Arts Museum was officially registered as a National Heritage Site on February 17, 1991.
Ali Akbar San’ati Museum
The Ali Akbar San’ati Museum was established in 1946 to showcase the works of the renowned painter and sculptor, Ali Akbar San’ati. Housed in a building dating back to the Qajar period, the museum is located in Imam Khomeini Square.
One of the most striking features of this small, historic museum is a monumental sculpture depicting a group of political prisoners from the Pahlavi era, prominently displayed in the center of the museum.
In addition to this compelling piece, the museum features notable statues of key figures, including Ferdowsi, Sa’di, Dehkhoda, Kamal al-Molk, Karim Khan Zand, Jawaharlal Nehru, Mahatma Gandhi, Louis Pasteur, Malek al-Shoara Bahar, Shah Abbas, and Nader Shah Afshar.