Located within the charming Qajar-era Salmasi House, the Tabriz Museum of Measurement offers a fascinating collection of historic tools and instruments, providing visitors with a unique glimpse into the past.
Salmasi House, a fine example of Qajar-era architecture, was built during this period and later transformed into the Tabriz Museum of Measurement in 1995. The house itself reflects the elegance and sophistication of Persian residential architecture.
This spacious house exemplifies traditional Persian architectural style, featuring three courtyards and a two-story layout. Upon entering, an octagonal room leads to both the basement and the ground floor. The basement includes a large hall with a pool, storage rooms, and a kitchen. The ground floor showcases vibrant windows and intricate plasterwork, while the main courtyard, adorned with a central pool and a small garden, serves as the centerpiece of the residence.
The building surrounds the main courtyard on the eastern, western, and northern sides. The western side features verandas with ornate pillars. Salmasi House contains several halls designed for different seasons:
The first hall with large windows provides warmth in winter.
The basement hall, with a cooling pool, offers comfort during hot summers.
Within this historic house, the museum displays an impressive range of historic measuring instruments: goldsmith scales, large agricultural scales, balance weights, oil containers, astronomical tools, compasses, an ancient telescope, and timepieces. Remarkably, the museum also features a 5-million-year-old tree from the Pliocene period. In the basement, life-like statues illustrate how these tools were used in various professions.
The Tabriz Museum of Measurement welcomes visitors:
Summer: 8:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m.
Winter: 9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Exploring Salmasi House and its museum offers an educational and rewarding journey, where visitors can experience how historical tools shaped everyday life in Tabriz.
For more information about the Tabriz Museum of Measurement, visit the official ICRO page or see its Wikipedia entry.
