At long last, we finally made it to yet another popular local favorite attractions of Tehran - the Niavaran Palace Complex. We had been meaning to visit these beautiful garden and grandiose buildings during the last couple of years. Situated in the northern part of Tehran, it is actually just a stone throw away and I would say within an easy walking distance from our residence. But as the saying goes, so near yet so far. In fact we had been going around this area every now and then but never once bothered to really explore the beauty of this vast 9000 square meters of lush green garden and magnificent complexes.
Much like the Saad-Abad Palace, the Niavaran Palace Complex also consists of several buildings dating back from the Qajar dynasty. The main Niavaran Palace, the name of which originated from the Niavaran garden, was first erected and used by the Qajar king Nasir al-Din Shah as a summer residence. It was later renamed the Sahebqaraniyeh Palace. When it was finally renovated and completed in 1968, it became the primary residence of the last Shah, Mohammad Reza Pahlavi and the imperial family until the Islamic Revolution.
North of the Sahebqaraniyeh, is the 800 square meters private resting retreat of the child king, Ahmad Shah. Hence called the Ahmad Shahi Pavilion. It was built during the closing days of the Qajar period. After restoration and interior redesigning, the two-storied pavilion was utilized as the residence and office of the Crown Prince Reza Pahlavi.
Indeed eversince the Islamic Revolution, most of the buildings and complexes had been converted into museums namely the Niavaran Palace Museum, Ahmad Shahi Pavilion, Sahebqaraniyeh Palace, Jahan Nama Museum and the Private Library. Other cultural, historical and natural attractions of the place include the Blue Hall, Private Cinema, Jahan Nama Gallery and the Niavaran Garden.
During our visit, unfortunately some of the buildings such as the Blue Hall, and some museums were either closed for renovation or prohibited from being photographed.
Nonetheless, this is yet another manifestation of Iran's rich cultural heritage and legacy worth visiting while in Tehran.
Wassalam.
Sahebqaraniyeh Palace (formerly the main Niavaran Palace)
Beautiful front yard...where the constitution was signed by Qajar king Mozaffar-ed din Shah
painting from the bygone era at the foyer...
depiction of palace life of the Persian king
the first Iranian envoy to the English court
the War Room
secretary/meeting room
meeting room in the Jahan Nama saloon
collection of antique swords
waiting room for foreign missions...
with pictures of world leaders
Reza Shah resting place/bedroom
another impressive side of the Jahan Nama saloon
tea house in the ground/first floor
atypical Persian traditional door
sofreh khaneh (dining room)
king's horse carriage
decorative colorful glasses and mosaics
antique Persian chiffonier/cabinet
another Iranian made cabinet
Ahmad Shahi Pavilion...amidst the greenery
the front yard
rear view of the pavilion
main entrance
view of the lush garden and the pavilion north of the Sahebqanariyeh palace
Crown Prince Reza Pahlavi's office
Moon stone...a gift from Pres. Nixon to the Crown Prince
Qajar child king Ahmad Shah
a gift from then President of Indonesia
dining room
the complex and garden on a cold an wintry day
The Blue Hall
flora and fauna of the garden
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