Qavam House
The Narenjestan-e Ghavam, also known as Qavam House, is situated on Lotf Ali Khan Street in Shiraz. It was constructed over multiple generations by the Qavam family. The name “Naranjastan” is derived from the bitter orange trees that grow in the mansion’s yard. The term “Narenjestan” means a place full of bitter orange trees in Persian. Nowadays, this location is recognized as the Narenjestan Museum.
History
During the reign of Naser al-Din Shah Qajar, from 1878 to 1888, Ali Mohammad Khan Qavam ordered the construction of a building consisting of two parts: the outer Qavam House and the inner Zinat al-Molk House, connected by a tunnel. This structure served as a location for political and military affairs, as well as meetings with foreign government officials. In 1966, the Qavam House building was donated to Shiraz University, and from 1969 to 1979, it was under the management of the Asian Institute, led by renowned Iranologist Professor Arthur Upham Pope.
The Architecture of Qavam House
As we pass through the area, we come across the impressive porch of the main building located on the left side of the coffee shop. To access the building and porch, there are stairs on both sides with beautiful and artistic designs. This complex includes other buildings such as Gachena Bath, Hussainiya-e Qawam, and Maktab of Qavam. In the past, there used to be a stable, chain store, and market within the complex. Qavam House has small rooms filled with Qajar furniture and historical sofas. The rooms have wooden ceilings with intricate and beautiful designs. Mirrors are also used to decorate the ceilings, creating a stunning effect. The main hall, known as the Mirror Hall, is connected to the central porch through a crescent wooden window with sash windows. Mirrors also adorn the walls of this hall. In front of the porch, there is a beautiful pond with a single fountain, taking us back to the glory days of this establishment. The Narenjestan Museum of Antiques, located in the basement of the building, houses a valuable collection of dishes, coins, paintings, tiles, and more from various historical periods in Iran.
Visiting hours
The Narenjestan-e Qavam is open for visitors from 8:00 AM to 9:00 PM.
