Zaman Museum

The Zaman Museum, also known as the Hossein Khodadad House, the Clock Museum and Tamashagah-e Zaman ("Time Gallery"), is one of the most distinctive tourist attractions in the city of Tehran, in Tehran Province. The museum is located in the Zafaraniyeh neighbourhood, in a magnificent historic mansion regarded as one of the finest examples of combined Iranian and European architecture. The building, which is now listed among Iran's national monuments, was originally the private home of Hossein Khodadad, an Iranian craftsman and entrepreneur. After restoration and a change of use, it became, in 1378 (1999), the first specialised museum of clocks and time-measuring instruments in Iran. The turquoise-coloured mansion, its rare stucco work, muqarnas, mirror work, geometric lattice work (gereh-chini) and the lush greenery of its garden have made this complex one of the most beautiful museums in Tehran. Besides introducing visitors to the history of timekeeping, it also presents a glimpse of authentic Iranian art and architecture.

The Zaman Museum houses a valuable collection of time-measuring instruments from different historical periods. It begins in the garden with sundials and water, sand, candle, oil and fuel clocks, and continues inside the mansion with mechanical clocks, wall clocks, table clocks, standing clocks, pocket watches and wristwatches from the 17th to the 20th centuries. Other sights in the collection include timepieces that belonged to prominent figures such as Professor Mahmoud Hessabi, Naser al-Din Shah, Ahmad Shah Qajar and some contemporary celebrities, as well as chronological documents, historical calendars, watchmaking tools and works of art made from clock parts. The architecture of the mansion is just as important as the museum's exhibits. The stucco work, which took more than a decade to complete, the ceilings decorated with Persian carpet designs, the Isfahan Room inspired by the Ali Qapu Palace, the windows with geometric lattice work and the artistic details of the building all double the historical and artistic value of the complex. A cafe, a gallery, a handicrafts shop and the garden also make a visit to this museum a pleasant cultural experience.

To reach the Zaman Museum, you can take Tehran Metro Line 1 and get off at Tajrish Station, then continue by taxi or walk for about 20 minutes along Valiasr Street and Zafaraniyeh Street. Another convenient route is to take the Railway–Tajrish BRT line and get off at Bagh-e Ferdows or Zafaraniyeh station. If you are travelling by private car, turn from Valiasr Street into Zafaraniyeh Street and continue to the corner of Parvin Baghdadi Intersection. The Zaman Museum has its own appeal in every season, but spring and autumn are the best times to visit because of the pleasant weather and the beauty of the garden. During your visit, please help preserve this valuable cultural heritage for future generations by keeping quiet, not touching the historical objects, taking care of the garden and respecting the rules of the complex.