Tehran Things to Do

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Leaving the Ivan - E- Takht- e Marmar (see previous tip) we turned left. The next palace of Haze Khan (Pool Room) was closed. This encloses a room with a pool (!) and works of Art presented to the Shahs.

So, we passed by to the Shams - Al - Emaret or Edifice of the Sun.

This was one of my favourite buildings, due to the colourful tiles that decorate the outer walls.

The tiled picture of the Lion wielding a sword, with the sun on its back caught my eye. My guide explained that this was the symbol of Irans national flag - prior to The Revolution of 1979.

I was to see this symbol many times during my visit to Iran. I also had become aware that events in Iran are often stated as 'Before the Revolution' or 'After the Revolution'

Other tiles depicted musicians, (who appeared to be levitating !) and hunting scenes.

These hadn't struck me as typical Persian art. I later found out that Nasser - al- Din Shah had a liking for things European, and was particularly influenced by Italian and French scenes.

While I was admiring the tiles, a lady approached me and asked where I was from. She told me that she was from Austria, and had been travelling around Uzbekistan and Iran for 3 months by herself- this was her last day, before returning home. I would have loved to have spent longer chatting and finding out more of her experiences - I was quite in awe of her!

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The Marble Throne Veranda is the oldest part of the palaces, named due to the impressive marble throne that can be seen here, adorned with marble figurines. 65 individual alabaster pieces make up the throne!

It was made in 1801 for Fath Ali Shah - you can see his portrait in the adjoining room- quite an imposing figure with his huge beard!

He sired 170 children with over 200 wives!

In this room, the walls are decorated with other murals which depict the fictional kings of Ferdosi's Shahnamah. My guide book said to look for the painting of Zahak- the king with a snake on his shoulder that fed on human brains! It took me a while to identify it (with the help of my guide)

This hall was the scene of the coronation of Reza Shah in 1925 as well as other ceremonial occasions.

Please see pic 4 for info about this palace

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This Cozy corner of the Golestan palace has a great view. Naser Edin Shah(one of the Qajar kings) used to rest here and enjoy the view of the garden(although now a days all u can see are buildings around).There is a smaller structure of the Takht-E-Marmar there.( Marble Throne)

This museum is located in Arq square,near to Grand Bazar. u can easily reach there by metro or bus.
Take a look at its location on the map I've uploaded here.
This museum, include a group of loyal buildings:
Khalvate Karim Khani
Negar khane
Howz Khane
Aks Khane
Talare Ayne(Hall of mirror)
Shams ol Emareh
and etc.
for visiting each part u must buy its own ticket.
All of them are really amazing,with their great structure.
I myself liked Talare Ayne.

They represent the stereotypical image that we Westerners tend to have of Tehran: the huge murals, depicting the scouling face of the Ayatollah Khomeini.

See them, while you still can. They are fading fast and there aren't that many of them left anymore. He died way back in 1989, ten years after his return to Iran.

This museum houses a beautiful collection of korans and illustrated books, as well as carpets, textiles, coins etc, from the Islamic period.

My favourite exhibits included a ninth century koran, sixteenth century illustrated books and a wooden mosque pulpit from Fars, made in 1369.

Open 9am-1pm, 2pm-5pm every day, except Monday.

This is also known as the National Museum of Iran and is the biggest and most important in the country. My favourite exhibits included 7,000-year-old clay pots, cunieform tablets, a pottery cow from 1250 BC, a beautiful bronze statue of a Parthian prince and the preserved remains of the Salt Man of Zanjan.

Open 9am -1pm, 2pm-5pm every day, except Monday.

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The collection consists of a set of crowns and thrones, some 30 tiaras, numerous aigrettes, jewel-studded swords and shields, a vast amount of precious loose gems, including the largest collections of emeralds, rubies, spinels and yellow diamonds in the world.

The most unique objects are:

1. The Diamond of Darya-e Noor (Sea of Light):
One of the few largest diamonds & absolutely rarest because of its unusual pink color in the world; it weighs 186 cts. Including the frame, it is 7.2 cm. high and 5.3 cm.
This diamond may have been cut into two pieces; the larger part is the Sea of Light, and the smaller part of is believed to be the Noor-ol Ein diamond which is presently incorporated in a tiara in Iranian imperial jewel collection.

2. Jewel-Studded Globe:
The most magnificent globe in existence, it has a total height of 110 cm. and a diameter of 45 cm. and is covered with over 51000 gemstones.
The seas and oceans are shown with emeralds. Land masses are mostly displayed in rubies and spinels.
Iran, Britain, and India are shown in diamonds. The base is constructed of wood, covered with a layer of gold. Approximately 35 kilograms of pure gold is used in the globe.

3. Treasure chest filled with precious pearls from the Persian gulf. The chest is enameled with intricate Qajar period Persian paintings and floral patterns.

4. Samarian Spinel:
is a 500 carat, largest known spinel in the world.

5. a Red Diamond.

6. National Jewels Museum house one of the largest collections of emeralds in the world.

Open during Saturday to Tuesday, 14.00 - 16.30.
Closed on Wednesdays, weekends and Public and Bank Holidays

Admission is IR6000 (86/2007)
Under 12 years old not allowed.
No Metal or electrical equipment as Camera or Cell phone are allowed.

http://www.iranchamber.com/museum/royal_jewels/national_iranian_jewels01.php