About Imamzadeh Sayyed Ismail in Tehran province
The old mausoleum of Imamzadeh Sayyed Isma`il consists of a courtyard, two high minarets, a portico, a sepulchre, and a simple mosque. Inside the portal of the mausoleum in the ivan, there is a white inscription in Nasta`liq script set on a background of azure mudbricks.
The contents of this inscription indicates that the ivans and the two high minarets decorated with tilework, have been constructed through the efforts of Issa Khan Bayglar Baygi in the reign of Muhammad Shah Qajar in A.H. 1262 (A.D. 1845). In the ivan, there are a band of muqarnas works in plaster mudbrick tablets in relief. The ivan leads into a portico with a couple of two-stories siderooms which are decorated with muqarnas works and plaster mouldings.
Inside the mausoleum, above the tomb and in the space separating the tomb and the mosque, there is an old door with relief designs and historical inscriptions carved upon it. This door of historical interest, apart from its superb engravings, has also distinction of bearing the earliest date among the monuments of the present Tehran. The door bears the following inscription, part of which is in Nasta`liq and the rest in Thulth script, and which is indicative of the reparations having been carried out in the reign of Muhammad Shah Qajar.
The inscription also gives the date of construction and the name of benefactor, as well as that of the carpenter. Apart from the above-mentioned historical inscriptions, there are others carved upon the door. Thus, it can be said that part of the mausoleum of Imamzadeh Isma`il dates from the 9th century A.H. (15th century A.D.), which is the date of the construction of the main structure, the other section belonging to the 13th century A.H. (19th century A.D.), or the Qajar period.
About Golestan Palaces in Tehran province
During the reign of the Safavid Shah Abbas I, a vast garden called Chahar-Bagh (Four Gardens), a governmental residence and a Chenaristan (a grove of plane trees), had been created on the present site of the Golestan Palace and its surroundings.
Then, Karim Khan Zand (1163-1193 = 1749-1779 A.D.) ordered the construction of a citadel, a rampart and a number of towers in the same area. In the Qajar period, some royal buildings were gradually erected within the citadel; for instance, in 1268 A.H. (1813 A.D.) which coincided with the fifth year of the Nasir al-Din Shah, the eastern part of the royal garden was extended and some other palaces were built around the garden, called palaces the Golestan Garden.
The group of palaces located in the northern part of the Golestan Garden, consists of the Museum Hall (Talar-i-Brilian), the Ivory Hall, the Crystal Hall, and the Talar-i Narinjistan (orangery hall), which have all been built prior to the construction of the other parts of the palace. The Museum Hall has been built in 1296 A.H. (1878 A.D.). In the upper section of the Royal Reception Hall of the Golestan Palace, there is a large bejeweled golden throne, called Takht-i- Tavus (The Peacock Throne), which must be the same as the Solar Throne (Takht-i Khorshidi).
The Qajar`s royal residence, the oldest substantial building in the city, and one of a group of royal buildings then enclosed within mud walls known as the Arg, the Golestan Palace (Rose Garden), too, was completed by Fath Ali Shah Qajar. However, its construction is attributed to the Safavid Shah Abbas I. Nasser ad-Din shah, influenced by what he had seen during his first European tour in 1873, added a Museum in the from of a large, first-floor hall decorated with mirror work, where some of the priceless Crown jewels were put on show side by side with many other things of much less value, mainly acquired by the King during his European tour.
The coronation ceremonies of the last two kings of the Pahlavi dynasty took place in the first-floor hall, however, after a re-arrangement, complete renovation and redecoration of the interior with the intention of reviving the palace`s ancient splendor. The last King used to hold New Year and Birthday Salams in the Coronation Hall, where Ministers, foreign Ambassadors and other dignitaries in full dress offered their congratulations to the King of Kings. But generally, the Golestan Place is open to strollers and tourists.
The Palace garden offered an oasis of coolness and silence in the heart of the city, Shade is provided by what the inhabitants of Tehran call (the finest plane tree in town), rose bushes, blue fountain-bowls and ancient of water recall the charm of ancient Iranian gardens. Altogether, here you will see little more of the palace than the visitor hoping for a tour around Buckingham Palace who is fobbed off with the Royal Gallery.
But while the state-rooms of the Palace may appeal to some others will turn to the Palace Library for the discovery of Iranian paintings, which owes its relative lack of popularity to the inaccessibility of originals scattered from Cleveland to Istanbul, from Washington`s Freer Gallery to ST Petersburg, and from the British Museum to Cairo`s National Library. Address: 15th Khordad Square. Tel: 3113335-6
About Imam Mosque in Tehran province
Imam Mosque or Masjid-i Sultani dates from the reign of Fath Ali Shah Qajar and counts among the great and famous mosques of Tehran. Its construction was completed in A.H. 1240 (A.D. 1824). The name of Fath Ali Shah is carved in Nasta`liq script upon the front of the big ivan which faces Qibla (Mecca).
The name of Nasir al-Din Shah Qajar, by whose order some repairs have been carried out in the mosque can also be seen upon the portal of the northern facade. Two minarets which rise above the portal of the Imam Mosque, belong to the reign of Nasir al-Din Shah. As regards the spaciousness of the courtyard, beautiful prayer halls, the huge tile-decorated cupola, false arches chambers and portal, this mosque is highly interesting and magnificent and possess wonderful specimen of the tile-work.
The structure of the main cupola has been changed into the shape of a wishbone in consequence of recent reparations. In the larger hall, there exists a tile inscription frieze which contains an ode composed by the famous poet Mejmar in praise of this huge edifice. The mosque also bears another inscription which contain an ode composed by Fath Ali Khan Saba, entitled Malik al-Sho`ara (poet laureate), in praise of the mosque.
There is another verse inscription by the same poet, Saba, in Nasta`liq calligraphy, set on mosaic tiles, which can be seen upon the western portal of the mosque under the plaster stalactite works. At the time of construction of this mosque in Tehran, a number of other mosques, in the same architectural style as the Imam Mosque, were built in some other cities such as Semnan, Kazerun, Borujerd and Kashan, each being called either the Imam Mosque or the Sultani Mosque. In construction of the said mosques, the architectural style of the Masjid-i-Vakil in Shiraz has been followed.
Imam Mosque (historically known as Masjed-e-Shah or the Royal Mosque), the construction of which began by Fath Ali Shah Qajar in about 1809 in line with his efforts to embellish the newly founded capital, was completed in 1849, it stands at the northern entrance to the bazaar not far from the Golestan Palace. Two side entrances of the mosque lead directly into the bazaar. The southern ivan opens onto the prayer hall.
The mosque has the usual four ivans, on each of the four sides of a single-story arcaded court, decorated with early 19th-century haft rangui tiles. The turquoise and white dome of the sanctuary chamber beyond the south ivan is crowned by a small gilded cupola seen here peeping over the ivan. At the pool in the center of the court-a feature of nearly all mosques-the faithful perform their ritual ablutions before each prayer.
About Darvazeh Bagh e Melli in Tehran province
This imposing brick gateway, decorated with high Haft Rangi tiles, was built in 1922 by command of Reza Khan when he was minister of War.
It faces what it used to be the Ministry of War, an old Qajar building a few hundred yards to the north; the space between was for many years a big military parade ground, the Maidan-i-Mashq, but has now been built over.
On the right through the gateway are the large police headquarters, built in neo-Achaemenian style during Reza Shah`s reign; on the left a museum completed in 1967, and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Apart from numerous faience inscriptions, the tiling on both sides of the gateway illustrates military subjects such as machine guns and soldiers. The main faience inscription over the central arch, which is crowned by a chamber where military music was played, is an Arabic and records well-known words of the Prophet Muhammad as quoted by the Imam Reza.
Another inscription states that the gateway`s wrought-iron work was made in the Tehran arsenal.
About Motahari Mosque in Tehran province
Historically known as the Masjed-e Sepah Salar (Mosque of the Commander-in- Chief), and serving both as a mosque and a theological collage, the Motahari Mosque with its eight minarets set close to each other is the largest and most important mosque in Tehran (3,700 square meters in area).
Architecturally speaking, it includes elements from the Imam Mosque of Esfahan (Former Masjed-e shah).
The style of Haghia Sophia Mosque in Istanbul and the faأ§ade execution style of Chahhar Bagh Madraseh in Esfahan. Its minarets are not very nigh, nor very slim, but are capped by small-pillared turrets.
Yellow and blue are the dominant colors of the ceramics, which cover them from top to bottom. Their beauty springs from the way they are grouped together. They are overlooked by a fairly flat-shaped cupola nearby.
The mosque`s varnished brickwork forms a simple interlaced design in delicate shades: light blue, ocher yellow, as well as an exceptional white.
The entrance door is also covered with colored motifs in an overloaded style.
The decoration of the minarets on both sides of the door is noteworthy. It is an intricate composition rather like a wallpaper design of the beginning of the century, with streamers and bouquets surrounding shields bearing minutely portrayed landscape and country scenes.
Actually there are few religious buildings of great importance in Tehran, but visitors not traveling outside the capital, should on no account miss visiting at least one mosque, so this recent one is at least worth mentioning.
Funds for its construction were provided by the enormously rich Mirza Hossein Khan, who had been in turn Nasser od-din Shah`s Grand Vizier, Minister for Foreign Affairs and Commander-in-Chief (Sepah Salar).
Built on the traditional four-ivan plan round a large, arcaded court, the mosque was not completed until 1890.
Its large prayer hall has 44 columns, and the top of one of its minarets was once one of the vantage points to see the new Tehran and the Alborz Mountains.
The southwest van leads into the spacious domed sanctuary chamber which has been re-tiled in and outside, during recent decades and now provides an excellent example of contemporary Iranian tile work, both haft rangui and mosaic. The northeast Ivan opposite is surmounted by a tiled clock tower and flanked by a pair of small minarets.
The scrupulous restoration carried out recently shows that modern craftsmen are as skillful as their ancestors were. The Mosque`s library houses over 5,000 manuscripts, some of which are unique.
At present students of theological sciences carry on with their courses here.
ddress: Southern end of eastern side of Baharestan Square, downtown Tehran.
About Niavaran Palaces in Tehran province
The compound of Niavaran palaces in Tehran was formerly the residence of the Qajar kings and at present the Saheb Gharanieh palace and Ahmad Shah palace remain from that period.
It was during the reign of Pahlavi dynasty when this collection was extended and some palaces including the main Niavaran and royal school were annexed to it. The building of Niavaran palace, with an area of some two thousand square meters, started in the center of a garden in 1948 and was completed in 1967.
Mohsen Forughi and Abbas Dehghani were the major designers and architects of the monument. This building turned into a museum after the victory of the Islamic revolution.
About Sad Abaad Palaces in Tehran province
Known as the Saad Abad Cultural Complex, and bounded by Velenjak to the north and Kolak-Chal to the east, it occupies an area of 410 hectares. Actually, it is the greatest cultural complex in modern Tehran consisting of seven palace-museums (out of 18, turned into public museums after the revolution), not all open at the same time.
However, they are clearly marked and signposted in English.
With an area of some 410 hectares Saad Abad reaches Velenjak in the north, Tajrish square in the south, Darband region in the east, and the skirts of Kolak Chal heights in the west. During the Qajar era, Saad Abad was composed of seven districts. During the Pahlavi era some regions were annexed to it and in this manner the Saad Abad palace was extended. Saad Abad consists of 18 palaces, which were resided by the former Shah of Iran and his relatives. Following the revolution however seven palaces in Saad Abad were turned into museums and palace - museums open to public.
These palaces included the White Palace (Nation Museum), Mother`s Palace (Museum of Reminiscence and Warning), Shahram (Museum of Military Implements), Shahnaz (Saad Abad Natural History Museum), Ministry of Court (Museum of Fine Arts), Shahvand Palace (Green Museum) and Shams Palace (Museum of Anthropological Research)
About Imamzadeh Saleh in Tehran province
The reputable and holy mausoleum of Imamzadeh Saleh, which is located in the Bazaar of Tajrish, consists of a courtyard, several family tomb chambers, an ivan, a portico, a mosque, a sepulcher, a tomb and a cupola. The present mausoleum dates from the Qajar period.
However, an old plane-tree, planted in the courtyard, and numerous old tombstones remaining inside the Haram and in the courtyard, bear evidence that period to the construction of the present building, there had existed the main structure of (Astaneh) which must have belonged to the 7th and 8th centuries A.H. (13th and 14centuries A.D.) and which has gradually turned into its present state in consequence of frequent repairs and alterations.
Above the door of the portico which leads into the Harem (sanctuary), there can be seen some sentences and words in plaster relief and in azure Nasta`liq script on a white background giving the names of Fath Ali Shah and prince Hulaku Khan. The interior of the Harem is decorated with beautiful paintings belonging to the Qajar period. This mausoleum possesses two sepulchers; the bigger one, the eastern, northern and western sides of which are covered with silver-lattice tomb-cage and the southern side with a wooden lattice cage, is remarkable as regards its silver works.
The other sepulcher is wooden and possesses square panels. The founder of the silver-plated sculptor is known as the late Mirza Sa`id Khan, a foreign minister of the Qajar period. Above the northern portal of the courtyard the following two distiches in praise of the Imamzadeh, carved in white Nasta`liq script on a background of azure enameled tiles, can be seen. The present structure of Imamzadeh Saleh counts among the outstanding monuments of the Qajar period, and the 13th century A.H. )19th century A.D.), as regards the proportionate interior arches of the Harem and the constructional style.
About Serkis Church in Tehran province
Construction of this splendid church, began in 1964 and finished in 1970. Serkis Church is located at Karim Khan Zand Boulevard.
About Shamsolemareh Palace in Tehran province
The Shams ol-Emareh which is one of the first high-rise buildings of old Tehran, Nasser al-Din Shah Qajar ordered Doostali Khan Nezam ol-Dowleh (Moayer al-Mamalek) to build it.
He choose a site to the east of the Arg and finished the building in 1867 A.D.
The building which was well planned and adorned with various decorations such as stucco, Ayaneh Karie, tile and murals is one of the most beautiful of Tehran`s historical buildings.
Moayer al-Mamalek not only built with his own money, but bought also the carpets and furnishings and presented a complete building to Nasser al-Din Shah Qajar.
This palace is located in the eastern section of Golestan palace and belongs to the era of Nassereddin Shah. The king was inspired in one of his visits abroad, by the multi - storey buildings he observed there. The building was constructed by Doost Ali Khan Moayerrol Mamalek in 1865 - 1867 . The structure of the building is strong and the symmetries have been formed beautifully. The building is brick made with thick walls. In some cases the thickness of the basement walls exceeds 600 centimeters and the thickness of the ground floor walls stands in the range of 510, 150 and 120 centimeters.
Shamsol Emareh has been the tallest royal building with three stories and two towers on the top. This building used to serve as a place for official receptions and also the private harem of Nassereddin Shah. In his book entitled Meraat - ol - Boldan, Etemad - ol - Saltaneh describes its halls and chambers all equipped with high quality and premium curtains, chandeliers and posters.
Address : Golestan palace complex, 15th Khordad Square
Tel : 3113335 - 8
About Vahdat Hall in Tehran province
The completion of the Vahdat Hall (Rudaki Hall) in 1967, nearly ten years in the building, filled a major gap in Tehran`s cultural life by providing a modern opera house and concert hall equipped with the very latest theatrical and electrical devices.
The hall - built under the auspices of the Ministry of Fin Arts and Culture (now Ministry of Islamic Culture and Guidance) - is named after theblind 10th century poet, Rudaki, the firstgreat classical poet of Iran, and provides accommodation for audiences of up to 1,350. The architect was a Persian American, Dr. Eugene Aftandilian, who studied in Iran.
The floodlit marble entrance foyer incorporates the traditional Talar motif. Behind, towers the mass of the main building. By contrast to the Hall`s overpowering vertical exterior, its horseshoe theater within has the cozy, white-and-gold, red-plush air of a 19th century European opera house, complete with two tiers of boxes and gallery above.
About Imamzadeh Zayd in Tehran province
The mausoleum of Imamzadeh Zayd, which consists of a courtyard, an ivan, a mirror gallery, a tile-decorated dome and some other annexes on the wings, is the burial place of Seyyed Zayd ibn Zain al-Abedin ibn Hussein ibn Ali. The earliest date relating to a mausoleum can be found upon the tomb, and is the month of Rajib A.H. 920. which is also found in a bas-relief in Naskh style above the tomb.
It corresponds to A.D. 1514 Therefore, the principal structure of the mausoleum dates the early Tenth century A.H. (16th century A.D.).
Inside the mausoleum and upon the inlaid door that leads, through the ivan, into the Harem (sanctuary), the following dates are to be seen:
A.H. 1297, and 1309 (A.D. 1879 and 1891). These two dates given at the end of two tile-work inscription of the edifice in the Thirteenth century A.H. (19th century A.D.).
Close to the mausoleum, there is a mirror hall, which is the burial place of some of the dignitaries of the past.
In the ivan, there is a marble tomb stone near the mausoleum, which indicates that the tomb of the brave Zand prince, Lotf Ali Khan must also be in the mausoleum of the Imamzadeh Zayd in Tehran.
The tile-works of the dome, the renovation of the Ivan, the mirror-works of the gallery and the Harem, and the nearby tomb all belong to the S.H. years 1315-1316.
The city of Tehran, with a relatively short history, holds interesting monuments and sites worth seeing. Tehran, was once a village in the suburbs of the city of Ray. After being ruined by the Mongols, it developed gradually and was elected as the capital city of Iran. Most historical buildings in Tehran were constructed during the Qajar period. The most interesting sites of Tehran are:
Museum of Royal Jewels in National (Melli) Bank in which the famous diamound Daryayeh Noor (the Sea of Light) along with other jewels and crowns of Iranian kings are kept;
Bazaar of Tehran, the largest commerical center of the country with several caravansaries, old buildings, Imam Mosque, Motahhari (Sepahsalar) Mosques and school;
Golestan Palace as well as Niavaran and Saad Abad palaces;
Shrine of His Holiness Abdol-Azim in Shahr Ray, south of Tehran;
Museums of Iran Bastan (archeology), Carpet, Reza Abbasi (art), Abgineh (ceramics and glass), decorative arts all hold a treasury of invaluable art works.
Today, the city of Tehran, one of the largest metropolitan areas of the world plays an important role in the socio-economic and political life of the country. It is the most important center for higher education, administration, the military, politics, economics, communication, and commerce. The summer countryside around Tehran, especially those around Lar, Karaj, and Latian dams, with the valley of Jajerood and Karaj as winter amusement spots of Dizin, Shemshak and Ab-Ali, suitable for winter sports, compose the recreational areas of Tehran. The accommodation facilities of Tehran, with different classifications satisfying the needs of tourists with different tastes.
Qom Province :
Tehran`s largest neighbor with an area of 10,743 square km on a low plain and 930 meters above sea level, Qom Province borders on Tehran and Semnan provinces to the north, Esfahan to the south, and Central province to the east.
On route to Esfahan, Kashan, Yazd and Kerman by train or bus (on Tehran-Qom highway), Qom as the capital of the province has easy access to Saveh and Tafresh to the northwest; Mahallat and Delijan to the southwest, and Kavir and salt lake to the east.
Its population according to the latest census amounts to more that 1,200,000 inhabitants.It can be conveniently visited in a day from Tehran
About Jamkaran Mosque in Qom province
The Jamkaran Mosque was built on the slopes of Kuh-i-Dobaradaran, at the beginning of the Qom-Kashan road.
On Wednesday eves, many pilgrims and devout lovers of the 12th Shi`ite Imam, who are awaiting his second coming, flock to the Jamkaran Mosque to pray and ask for divine help with their personal problems.
About Shrine of Hazrate Masumeh in Qom province
The construction of the present (Bargah) (Holy Court) and the holy shrine of Hazrat-i-Masumeh in Qum, was started in the middle of the third century A.H. and continued during the 4th, 5th, and 6th centuries A.H. (mid 9th century through 12th century A.D.), when it was completed with a dome and vault. But it was most flourishing in the Safavid period, Shah Ismail ordered the construction of the northern ivan.
During the reign of Shah Tahmasb I, 939 A.H. (1532A.D.) and Shah Abbas II, 1055 A.H. (1654 A.D.), the buildings of the (Astaneh) were completed and some important decorative works were undertaken, which have been continued ever since.
The main structure of the holy (Astaneh) (Threshold) consists of the old and new courtyards, a mirror-decorated ivan, a number of Mu`azin`s cages, a portico, a sepulcher, the holy harem (Sanctuary), the Holy Tomb, Masjid-i-Bala-sar, ladies courtyard (Sahn-i-Zananeh), an ivan,thegolden dome, and several golden, silver and inlaid doors.
There are a number of verse inscriptions in (Astaneh Moq`adasseh), composed by Muhtasham Kashani, Fath Ali Khan Saba, and Shurideh Shirazi. The tileworks of the holy tomb of Hazrat-i-Masumeh, which have been accomplished during the years 605 to 613 A.H. (1208 to 1218 A.D.), bear the following designs and colors. On the tomb, there are 15 pieces of enameled tiles covering a space of 2.95 meters long and 1.20 meters wide.
The sides of the tomb are covered with three kinds of tiles, namely enameled tiles with curved sides, full star-shaped (Kuakabi) tiles, and enameled tiles on which the latter are installed.
There are three inscriptions on the tomb: the first is a relief inscription in Naskh style and isvermilion in color; thesecond, also vermilion, is in Kufic script;and the third is golden and in Naskh calligraphy. The background is azure, golden, brown or silver, and is further adorned with various ornamental motifs.
According to the inscriptions, the tiles of the Holy Sepulcher have been donated by Muzaffar ibn Ahmad ibn Ismail and the calligraphers Muhammad ibn Abi-Tahir ibn Abi-Hussain and Abu-zaid have been responsible for the inscriptions, the former having also undertaken the manufacturing of the tiles.
Markazi and Lorestan
Markazi Province :
Markazi Province is located between the latitudes 33-30' and 35-35' N. and longitudes 48-57' and 52-05' E. It is bounded on the north by Tehran Province and Zanjan Province, on the west by Hamedan Province, on the south by Esfahan Province and Lorestan Province, and on the east by Esfahan Province and Tehran Province. Its area is 29,530 square kilometers.
The provincial center is Arak. According to the 1995 divisions, Markazi province has 8 counties-- Qom, Saveh, Khomein, Mahallat, Sarband (Shazand), Tafresh, Delijan and Ashtian --18 towns, 15 rural districts and 60 villages. It is to be noted that according to the latest legislations, the county of Qom will soon turn into an independent province.
Markazi (Central) Province, situated south of Tehran and west of Isfahan province, is one of the historical regions of Iran, Its antiquity dates back to the Seleucidian era. Cities of Saveh, Mahallat and Nimevar, Tafresh and Ashtian hold interesting historical monuments. Some of the most important sites of this province are Arak caves, the underground city of Dolfabad in Farahan, thermal springs, the remains of the Seleucidian Khorkheh temple, Dodehak caravansary, Imamzadeh Yahya in Mahallat, historical sites and caravansaries of Saveh, Delijan Cave, birthplace of Imam Khomeini in Khomein, and several other Imamzadehs and pilgrimage places that each of them portrays a part of the history of this region.
Lorestan Province :
The province of Lorestan is located between latitudes 32-37' to 34-22' N. and longitudes 46-51' to 50-03' E. It is bounded on the north by the Markazi province and Hamedan province, on the south by Khuzistan province, on the east by Isfahan province, and on the west by Kermanshah province and Ilam province .
Its area is 28,560 square kilometers. According to 1995 divisions, Lorestan has 9 counties, 10 towns, 24 rural districts, and 82 villages. Its center is Khoram Abad.
Lorestan Province at the western border of Iran is a mountainous land in which the Zagross Mountain Range extends from the northwest southward, in a regular and condensed form. This province holds plenty of historical monuments. According to the Babylonian, Elamite, and Assyrian inscriptions, the Zagross mountains were home to tribes such as Loloi, Manai, Kasi, Gooti, Amada, and Parswa.
In addition, Lorestan Province is one ot the most spectacular regions of Iran from a natural point of veiw. Snow-clad heights, valleys, beautiful rivers and lakes, springs, waterfalls, luxuriant plains are among the tourist attractions of this region. Among the most important eye-catching places of Lorestan Province are: Falak-ol-Aflak Castle, Qiu lake, Taf and Afrineh waterfalls, wetlands, several historical caves, inscriptions of 6th century AH, as well as inscriptions of Safavid era, and Changai wetland in Khoram-Abad; Oshtorankooh Mountains in Boroojerd; Ab-Sefid waterfall in Aligoudarz; beautiful valleys, castles, and caves in Koohdasht; Gahar lake and Dorood waterfall.