Kazemi House

Kazemi House, now known as the Old Tehran House-Museum, is a historic building from the Qajar era. It stands in the Imamzadeh Yahya neighbourhood, on Abolqasem Shirazi Alley, off Panzdah-e Khordad Street (East 15 Khordad Street) in Tehran. The mansion belonged to Mirza Seyyed Kazem Tafreshi, known as the Minister of Livestock (Vazir-e Davab) at the court of Naser al-Din Shah, and to the Kazemi family. It was registered as a national heritage site in 1379 (Solar Hijri), and its current owner is the Ministry of Cultural Heritage, Handicrafts and Tourism.

The architecture of the house reflects the authenticity of traditional Iranian homes. The main structure consists of an andaruni (private quarters) and a biruni (public quarters), a shahneshin (raised reception alcove), northern and southern courtyards, a water reservoir (ab-anbar), a kitchen, a stable and wind catchers. The beauty of the mansion lies in its details, from wooden orosi windows with stained glass to delicate plasterwork and brickwork that give the space a captivating look. The anthropology museum section displays dolls and models showing the occupations, customs and clothing of Tehran's people over the past 150 years. There are also display cases of historical objects from the Qajar era to the early Pahlavi period, from photographs and toys to traditional clothing, which introduce visitors to the lifestyle and culture of old Tehran.

You can reach Kazemi House by metro. The Panzdah-e Khordad and Baharestan stations are the closest, and a short walk from either will bring you to the house. If you travel by private car, keep in mind that this neighbourhood lies within the traffic restriction zone. Visiting hours are usually from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., and the museum is closed on public holidays. The best time to visit is on spring and autumn mornings, when sunlight shines through the coloured orosi windows into the halls and gives the space a special glow. Responsible travel at this historic site means respecting the museum's rules, not touching the exhibits and decorations, keeping the place quiet and peaceful, and not littering in the grounds.