Moghadam Museum House

The Moghadam Museum House is one of the historic houses and cultural attractions of Tehran, in Tehran Province, dating back to the late Qajar period. The mansion was once the residence of Mohammad-Taqi Khan Ehtesab ol-Molk, a Qajar court official and head of Tehran's Ehtesabiyeh (municipal inspection) office, and later passed to his son Mohsen Moghadam, a professor of archaeology at the University of Tehran. Mohsen Moghadam and his wife, Salma Kouyoumjian, out of their love for Iran's history, art and cultural heritage, assembled a valuable collection of historical and artistic objects and used these pieces to decorate the various parts of the house. The collection was donated to the University of Tehran in 1351 (1972), and after the deaths of Mohsen Moghadam and his wife, its management was entrusted to the University of Tehran. Today, as one of the capital's historic sights, the Moghadam Museum House offers a chance to learn about life in old houses, Iranian decorative arts, and the efforts of collectors to preserve cultural heritage. The building was registered on the Iran National Heritage List on 20 Azar 1379 under number 2929.

One of the distinctive features of the Moghadam Museum House is the harmony between the building's architecture and the historical works displayed in it. Covering an area of about 2,117 square metres, the complex includes an outer courtyard, an inner courtyard (andaruni), a caretaker's courtyard, a summer building, winter rooms and the main residence (the arbab building). Pools, flower beds, colourful tiles, mirror work, decorative columns and carved stone pieces give the house a distinctive character. Among its highlights are the pool room (hoozkhaneh) with its tile and ceramic decoration, the Qajar iwan with tiles from the Zand and Qajar periods, the main residence inspired by the architecture of European castles, and the Wall of Modernity, designed by Houshang Seyhoun, which separates the outer and inner courtyards. A marble basin, a pool and fountains, as well as a pond and garden inspired by Japanese gardens, are other striking elements of the complex. The rooms and other spaces of the house also hold collections of pottery, glassware, stone and metal tools, textiles, coins, seals, historical documents, paintings and objects from everyday life in the past. While viewing these works, visitors can learn about part of Mohsen Moghadam's scholarly and artistic activities and about how historical elements were used in the architecture of a house. One to two hours is usually enough to see the different parts of the complex, although those interested in architecture and art history may need more time.

The Moghadam Museum House is located on Imam Khomeini Street in Tehran, after Sheikh Hadi Street and close to the city's central intersections. Since the attraction lies in a busy part of the capital, the metro is a good way to reach it; Hassan Abad Station and Imam Ali University Station on Metro Line 2 are among the stations you can use to reach the area, and from there you can continue to the museum on foot. You can also reach the museum area by bus along Imam Khomeini Street and walk the rest of the way. Spring, especially the mild days of Farvardin and Ordibehesht, and autumn, with Tehran's cooler weather, are good times to visit this historic house and enjoy its courtyards and greenery; just make sure your visit fits within the museum's opening hours. Before visiting, it is best to check the opening hours and entry conditions with the museum's official source. During your visit, you can help protect this valuable heritage by keeping quiet in the exhibition spaces, not touching historical objects and the building's decoration, not damaging the plants, and following the photography rules. Please also do not leave litter on the grounds, and avoid sitting or leaning on historical and decorative features, so that the house stays intact and worth seeing for future visitors.