Saadabad Historical-Cultural Complex
Saad Abad complex is located in the north of Tehran on the Tochal foothills, where the last kings of the Pahlavi and Qajar lived. Visiting the Saadabad complex allows you to learn about contemporary history. The palaces built in this complex belonged to members of the Pahlavi family, and the last palace built in the Saadabad complex belonged to Leila Pahlavi, the youngest daughter of Mohammadreza Shah. A large number of palaces in the Saad Abad complex were converted into museums after the Iranian Revolution. In total, this complex has 18 main small and big palaces.
History
The construction of the Saadabad complex was started by the Qajar government, and then the buildings in it were built and renovated by Reza Khan. Some parts of the Saadabad complex were outside this collection when Reza Khan came to power, and after a while, Reza Shah bought them and added them to the Saadabad collection. The Palace of the King’s Mother was one of the first buildings in this complex, which was 8,000 square meters in size.
The architecture of the Saadabad Historical Complex
Saadabad complex has an area of nearly 300 hectares, of which 180 hectares are gardens, aqueducts, greenhouses, and another 120 hectares are mansions and palaces. The complex buildings were designed by Iranian and European architects. The combination of European architecture and authentic Iranian architecture can be seen in this complex.
White Palace (The Mellat Museum)
As its name suggests, this palace has a white facade and is the largest palace in Saadabad. The construction of this palace was started in 1310 by the order of Reza Shah and it took five years. The White Palace was designed by Iranian and Russian architects, and its decorations and plasterwork were done by Iranian artists. At the entrance of the palace, there are 4 columns made of marble which is in the Roman architectural style. The White Palace was the residence of Mohammad Reza Shah and his wife Farah in the summer. In this palace, the administrative and ceremonial affairs of the court were done, and Reza Shah’s office was also in this palace. Among the most beautiful works left in this place, we can mention the large oil-painted curtains, exquisite Persian carpets, historical pottery, valuable crystals, European chandeliers, and the desk belonging to Marie Antoinette, the former queen of France. There is also a statue of Arash the Archer in front of the palace.
Ahmad Shah Qajar Palace
This palace, which is evident from its name, belongs to the reign of Ahmad Shah Qajar, but it was finished during the Pahlavi rule when Reza Khan came to power. Visiting this palace is not possible for the public due to renovation.
The Green Palace (Shahvand House)
This palace is known as the Green Palace because of its façade and it is in the northwest of Saadabad complex. During the time of Reza Khan, it was an unfinished building and it was known as The Stone Palace. Then Reza Khan bought this unfinished building and called it Shahvand Palace. The construction of the Green Palace was finished when Reza Shah came to power.
The Black Palace (Museum of Fine Arts)
This palace is the southernmost of the Saadabad complex, which was the residence of the court minister in 1346-1357 SH. The name of this palace is because of the black marble stones in the facade of this palace. The Black Palace was opened in 1361 SH as the Museum of Fine Arts.
Museum of Natural History (The Special Palace)
The Special Palace is one of the buildings that cannot be entered by the public. This palace from the Saadsbad historical complex is currently used by the presidential organization. In the past, the Natural History Museum was in this palace.
Museum of Anthropology (Princess Shams Palace)
In the past, this palace was the residence of Shams Pahlavi, the first child of Reza Shah and the eldest sister of Mohammad Reza Shah. It is located in the northwest of Saadabad. In this palace, Farah Diba’s royal clothes were displayed under the title of royal clothing. Now there is a very beautiful museum of human evolution in this place.
The Palace of the King’s Mother
In the past, this palace was the residence of Taj al-Muluk, the mother of Reza Khan. This palace is known as the Republic Building, which is in the possession of the Presidential Institution of Iran.
Administration of the complex (Bahman Palace)
In the past, this palace was the residence of Bahman Pahlavi, son of Gholamreza Pahlavi and nephew of Mohammad Reza Shah, which was built during Pahlavi II’s reign. This building is considered one of the most beautiful buildings in the Saadabad complex. Bahman Palace is today the administration building of the Saadabad complex.
The Abkar Museum (Princess Leila Palace)
This palace, in the center of the Saadabad complex, is the last palace built in this complex. In 1373 SH, on the occasion of World Museum Day, the miniature museum of Abkar was opened in the Leila Palace. Abkar’s works are displayed in this museum, and various types of paintings can be seen among these works.
The Behzad Palace (1st Palace of Reza Pahlavi)
This palace is also known as the Karbas Palace. This palace was originally the place of Reza Shah Pahlavi; But after his removal, during Pahlavi II’s time, Reza Pahlavi, Reza Khan’s grandson, used the Karbas Palace, and for this reason, this building is known as the Crown Palace. After the Iranian Revolution, the building of the Royal Palace was reconstructed and restored, and in 1373, which was the 100th anniversary of Behzad’s birth, the Karbas Palace was opened as a museum and named the Museum of Behzad.
Aqueducts
In the past, the Darband River passed through Saadabad Garden and was one of the main reasons for the good environment of the Darband and Shemiran area. However, with the increase of trees and plants in the Saadabad complex during the first Pahlavi period, the need to build aqueducts for watering trees was felt. For this reason, twelve aqueducts were dug in different parts of the Saadabad complex, making the garden trees green and long-lived. The aqueducts of Saadabad are still there today.
The Gates
Due to the size of the Saadabad complex and the access of this place to the various gardens around it, gates were installed around the Saadabad historical complex, and currently, only the gates of Zafaraniyeh St. and Darband St. are open to the public.
Visiting hours
The visiting hours of the Saadabad complex in spring and summer are from 9:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. and in autumn and winter from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
