Tabriz Museum of Measurement
Nestled within the charming Qajar-era Salmasi House, the Tabriz Museum of Measurement offers an intriguing collection of antique tools and instruments, providing a unique glimpse into the past.
A Historic Residence
The beautiful Salmasi House, a testament to the Qajar era’s architectural finesse, was built during this period. In 1995, it was transformed into the Tabriz Museum of Measurement.
Description
This immense house embodies the traditional Persian architectural style. With three courtyards and a two-story structure, it boasts a layout that reflects the customary Persian design. Upon entering, an octagonal room, a hallmark of Persian homes, leads to both the underground floor and the ground floor. The basement reveals a spacious room with a pool, storage chambers, and a kitchen. The ground floor boasts vibrant, captivating windows, while the house’s interior is adorned with intricate plasterwork. The main courtyard, a centerpiece of this historic residence, features a grand pool ensconced within a small garden.
The building envelops the main courtyard on its eastern, western, and northern sides. The western side offers verandas adorned with ornate pillars. Tabriz Salmasi House comprises several halls, each designed for specific seasons. The first elegant hall, with its splendid windows, provides warmth during chilly winters, while the basement hall, equipped with a cooling pool, offers respite during scorching summers.
Nestled within this remarkable house, the Tabriz Museum of Measurement showcases an array of historic measuring instruments. Visitors can marvel at goldsmith scales, large scales for weighing field produce, balance weights, oil containers, astronomical tools, compasses, an ancient telescope, and timepieces from bygone eras. Intriguingly, the museum also houses a 5-million-year-old tree dating back to the Pliocene period. In the basement, statues interact with ancient measuring instruments, providing insights into professions tied to these tools.
Visiting hours
Salmasi House and the Tabriz Museum of Measurement welcome visitors from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. during the summer months and from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. in the winter months. Exploring this captivating house and its educational museum promises a rewarding and enlightening experience, where the past converges with the tools that once shaped it.
