Niavaran Palace Complex is located in the northeastern part of Tehran and is one of the city’s three historical palace complexes. The complex houses exquisite hand-woven carpets, valuable decorative items, and paintings by both Iranian and European artists. The architecture blends traditional Persian design with modern elements, featuring plastering, mirror work, and intricate tile work.
Originally a summer residence for Qajar and later Pahlavi kings, Niavaran Palace underwent significant transformations under Mohammad Reza Shah Pahlavi. During his reign, the older Qajar palace was demolished to make way for the new complex, initially designed for foreign guests. Eventually, it became the private residence of the Pahlavi family.
Following the Iranian Revolution, the complex was converted into a museum, now open to the public. Today, Niavaran houses several museums, including:
Sahebgharaniyeh Palace
Ahmad Shahi Pavilion
Jahan Nama Museum
Royal Library
Car Museum
Inscription Museum
These were opened to the public at various times between 1986 (1365 SH) and 2012 (1391 SH).
Niavaran Palace showcases modern Iranian architecture with a focus on simplicity, functionality, and elegance. The main palace spans two floors over approximately 900 square meters, featuring a retractable roof that allows visitors to enjoy natural light while admiring the interior artworks.
The palace has preserved its original furniture, curtains, decorative items, and artworks from the Pahlavi era, blending Iranian craftsmanship with European architectural influences.
First Floor:
Reception Hall: Hosted foreign dignitaries, adorned with French-designed furniture and German/French-made decorative items.
Cinema Room: Private cinema within the palace.
Artworks and Carpets: Includes hand-woven carpets from Isfahan and Kerman, featuring portraits of Iranian kings and historical figures (Achaemenid to Qajar) by artist Ali Kermani.
Decorative Dishes: Historical ceramics, including Marlik and Amlash pottery, plus gifts from foreign governments.
Second Floor:
Private Rooms: Bedrooms of Mohammad Reza Shah and Farah Pahlavi, including dressing and makeup rooms.
Children’s Rooms: Farhanaz and Alireza Pahlavi’s study and living rooms with personal artifacts.
Dining Room: Displays paintings of Taj ol-Molouk and Reza Khan.
Sahebgharaniyeh Palace: Built during Naser al-Din Shah Qajar’s reign, later renovated by Mohammad Reza Shah. Highlights include Qajar-era paintings, photographs, and the Hoz’Khaneh Museum featuring fabrics, calligraphy, and artworks.
Jahan Nama Museum: Houses gifts to Farah Diba, including global artworks, Iranian masterpieces, and works by artists like Picasso, Dali, Renoir, Parviz Tanavoli, Sohrab Sepehri, and others.
Royal Library: Spanning 770 square meters, with first-edition books, art collections, manuscripts, and paintings by Iranian and international artists.
Ahmad Shahi Pavilion: Summer retreat of Ahmad Shah Qajar, with spacious veranda, gabled roof, and plaster artwork.
Car Museum: Showcases vehicles of the Pahlavi family and their children, including motorcycles and car replicas.
Inscription Museum: Exhibits 43 ancient Iranian inscriptions, from the Medes, Assyrians, Sumerians, Elamites, and Sassanids, including works of Shapur I and Ardashir.
Autumn & Winter: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Visitors can explore the royal architecture, historical artifacts, and art collections, making Niavaran Palace Complex a must-see cultural destination in Tehran.
For official information on visiting hours, museum collections, and the history of Niavaran Palace Complex, visit the Niavaran Museum Official Website.
