Malek al-Tojjar Mansion

The Malek al-Tojjar Mansion is one of the most distinctive and valuable buildings of the Qajar era in Sanandaj, Kurdistan Province. It stands on Imam Khomeini Street, within the historic fabric of the city. The mansion was built close to the seat of government (Dar al-Hokumeh) of Kurdistan, which gave it particular social and economic importance. As one of the aristocratic houses of the Qajar period, the Malek al-Tojjar Mansion forms part of Sanandaj's historical identity and is still regarded as an outstanding example of the region's traditional architecture.

The mansion is designed around a central courtyard, with a magnificent iwan with brick columns on its northern side. On either side of the iwan, residential and service spaces are arranged on two floors, including three-door and five-door rooms with well-ordered spatial connections. One of the building's key features is its artistic use of stone and brick decoration, especially on the dados, where medallion (tarunj) motifs and animal designs give the facade a special character. The main columned iwan, which opens onto the courtyard, is a symbol of the splendor of Iranian architecture. Alongside it, the basement and summer living areas were designed for use in the warmer seasons. Despite changes and damage over the years, the mansion has preserved parts of its authentic Qajar architectural identity.

The Malek al-Tojjar Mansion is easy to reach from Imam Khomeini Street in Sanandaj, and it lies in the central part of the city. The best time to visit this historic site is spring and early autumn, when the weather in Sanandaj is milder and exploring the historic quarter is more pleasant. Given the historical and architectural value of the building, visitors should avoid damaging the walls, the stone decorations and the surviving historic elements, so that this precious Qajar architectural heritage can be preserved for future generations.