The Narenjestan-e Ghavam, also known as Qavam House, is a historic mansion located on Lotf Ali Khan Street in Shiraz. Built over multiple generations by the Qavam family, its name “Narenjestan” refers to the bitter orange trees that fill its courtyard—a term that literally means “place of bitter oranges” in Persian. Today, this elegant residence is recognized as the Narenjestan Museum, showcasing Iran’s rich cultural heritage.
During the reign of Naser al-Din Shah Qajar (1878–1888), Ali Mohammad Khan Qavam commissioned the construction of the mansion, which consists of two main parts: the outer Qavam House and the inner Zinat al-Molk House, connected by a tunnel. The complex served as a center for political and military affairs and hosted meetings with foreign dignitaries.
In 1966, the Qavam House was donated to Shiraz University, and between 1969 and 1979, it was managed by the Asian Institute under the guidance of renowned Iranologist Professor Arthur Upham Pope.
Visitors are first greeted by the impressive porch of the main building, accessible via beautifully designed stairs on both sides. The complex also includes Gachena Bath, Hussainiya-e Qawam, and the Maktab of Qavam, while historically it housed a stable, chain store, and market.
The mansion features small rooms furnished with Qajar-era furniture and historical sofas, with ceilings crafted from intricately carved wood. Mirrors adorn both ceilings and walls, creating a dazzling effect, especially in the main hall known as the Mirror Hall, which connects to the central porch through a crescent-shaped wooden window with sash panels. A serene pond with a single fountain sits in front of the porch, evoking the mansion’s former grandeur.
The Narenjestan Museum of Antiques, located in the basement, exhibits an impressive collection of dishes, coins, paintings, tiles, and other artifacts from various periods of Iranian history.
The Narenjestan-e Qavam welcomes visitors daily from 8:00 AM to 9:00 PM, offering a unique glimpse into the architectural elegance and historical richness of the Qajar era.
For detailed information about Qavam House, see the Wikipedia page.”
To explore photos and videos of Qavam House, visit its Instagram page.
