Historic houses in the City of Tabriz
East Azarbaijan province, especially the city of Tabriz, as an olden city, shows Historic Houses that are reminiscent of the past. And Tabriz, the contemporary city of Persia, has seen many rulers during its thousand years of history, which has raised many great people. Numerous houses are ruined due to several earthquakes that happened throughout history. But we still can see masterpieces left from the Qajar and Pahlavi dynasties. These olden survivors will remind us of the old times of Tabriz. No matter how attractive and captivating Contemporary is, it will not be able to compete with the warmth and intimacy hidden in the walls of old houses. Some of them keep such rich history within so that are turned into museums. Now they are used as museums to narrate the events of Persia, especially Tabriz.
The decorations used in these Historic Houses, which are decorated in the Qajar style, are:
- European style marble columns and capitals
- Old mirrors with elaborate and delicate beds
- English and French landscaping with large areas of lawn, ornamental and shrub trees, small and large rectangular ponds, flower gardens, and general lines of landscaping and gardening that are somewhat out of the pivotal state.
- Murals with themes such as historical events, portraits, paintings, and landscapes, covering all the interior surfaces of the walls.
- Marble and bronze collections inside and outside the building
- Sash and colored glass
- Decorating indoor and outdoor spaces using tables, chairs, and sofas
Constitutional Historic House
The Constitutional House is one of the most famous impressive Historic Houses in Tabriz. In 1247 AH, Haj Vali, the Tabrizi architect, built the personal property of Haj Mehdi Koozeh Konani, one of the merchants of Tabriz Bazaar. After Mohammad Ali Shah Qajar ousted the National Assembly, Hajj Mehdi also joined the Constitutionalist Jirga. He became one of the main sponsors of the movement. The elders of this movement, including Sattar Khan and Baqir Khan, would gather in this house and thought together. Haj Mehdi Koozekanani allowed the meetings of the constitutional leaders to be held in this house. He also let them to continue their activities there.
This two-story house is built in the Qajar architectural style with sash windows including red, green, and white glasses, inlaid doors, a pergola, and skylight that are some of the architectural beauties of the time. As you step into this historic house, you will encounter a green garden full of flowers and trees, including a large pond in the middle of the courtyard that has doubled its charm and delight. In 1375, the Constitutional House turned into a museum. So you can visit the statues of famous constitutional figures, works, and documents related to the Constitutional Revolution, like Sattar Khan’s belt weapon, constitutional carpet, and personal belongings of constitutional leaders.
Amir Nezam Grossi House (Qajar Museum)
Amir Nezam Grossi Historic House could be known as one of the most stunning olden houses in Tabriz when Nasser al-Din Shah Qajar was the king. As you enter this house, the very first thing that will attract your attention would be the 16 pillars with stunning capitals of the porch that are plastered and decorated as eyecatching as possible. To get inside the monument, you should cross through the large yard with a pond in the middle and spectacular flower beds, which turns it into an earthly paradise.
Inside, you will find stucco full of details and stunning mirrors. The windows of the house are all latticed, and the stained glasses make the monument more cham. Amir Nezam Grossi Historic House was turned into the Qajar Museum. It is so pleasant to visit a collection of Qajar objects in a monument fully built-in Qajar style.
Introducing to Behnam Historical House
To visit a monument dating back to the late Zandieh and early Qajar periods, we recommend the Behnam House. In this mansion, all the unique Qajar architecture elements, such as bedding, paintings on the wall, sash windows, interior and exterior space, and the basement are used. We should not forget about the Qajar yard, which always includes a pond in the middle. This monument was rebuilt during the reign of Nasser al-Din Shah Qajar.
This 3,000-square-meter monument includes two structures, the main building, used as the winter section, and a smaller construction, used as a summer space. Also, the inner and outer courtyards are reminiscent of the warmth of old Persian houses.
Currently, Behnam House, including the charm of the Qajar style, is used as the Faculty of Architecture and Urban Planning and the Faculty of Islamic Art of Tabriz.
The Sarraflar House (Pottery Museum)
A Gajar house with a little defiance in design; The Sarraflar House includes the basement and the ground level. The porch with dazzling plastered pillars is reminiscent of the magnificent Qajar style. In the middle of the courtyard, there is a large pond. The gardens on both sides have added to the beauty of the mansion. The Sarraflar House has turned into the Pottery House of Tabriz since 1995. The Pottery Museum includes various sections, such as a permanent exhibition, a pool house, a permanent shop, and educational classes.
Laleh house, one of the Historical Houses of Tabriz
The Laleh House dates back to the early Pahlavi era. This monument belonged to Yahya Zaka, one of the most influential contemporary researchers and one of the founders of building museums in Persia. For this reason, in honor of the late Zaka’s services in the field of history and Persiaology, especially research on Azerbaijan and Tabriz, the house has been turned into the “Office of Yahya Zaka Historical Research.” The attractive element in Laleh House architecture is the plastered pillars and capitals. We should not forget the charming yard of the house, which remains like a paradise on earth. In the Persian language, Laleh means tulip. There are many deceptive tulips in the yard of this house. That is why this house is known as Laleh House.
Hariri House
Maybe we can mention the Hariri House as the most delightful, splendid historical house in Tabriz. It was built in the early Qajar period. The art of Qajar murals is displayed as beautifully as possible in the Hariri House, which has made this place the most charming olden house in East Azerbaijan.
Inside the building, there are stunning paintings with mythological themes such as the Joseph and Zulaikha and other historical stories that amaze you at first sight.
Heidarzadeh House
Many of the Historic Houses of Tabriz are located in the Maghsoudiyeh olden neighborhood. The existence of these houses has added to the historical and cultural value of this area.
One of these houses is the Heidarzadeh House, which is located in the south of Tabriz Municipality. There is no reliable evidence from the exact date of construction of this house. But by examining the images related to this building, its life is estimated to be about 130 years. The house belonged to Heidarzadeh, a well-known Tabriz merchant, which became a gathering place for constitutional activists, including Sattar Khan and Baqir Khan. At the moment of arriving in the courtyard, the azure color of the pool, mixed with the bruise color of Tabriz sky, astonishes you, and at that moment, drowns you in the azure tranquility of the house.
Master Shahriar, as a Historic Houses in Tabriz
Visiting private homes and reviewing their life stories is very enjoyable. Master Shahriar’s house dates back to the second Pahlavi period. Shahriar bought this house in 1347 AH and spent the last twenty years of his life there. As his family donated his belongings, they turned this house into the museum of Master Shahriar. This museum was opened in 1991. Also, the people were invited to provide any document and evidence they have from this poet. Like many old houses in Tabriz, Master Shahriar’s House is located in the Maghsoudiyeh neighborhood.
Parvin Etesami House, Include Poetry and Literature
Parvin Etesami can be introduced as one of the most influential women in contemporary Persian poetry and literature. She is known for her debates and themes of oppression and empathy with the oppressed in her poems. Parvin’s house in Tabriz is where she spent her childhood, dating back to the early Pahlavi period. This stunning and luxurious two-story house with a large yard and clean gardens once witnessed the growth of Parvin Etesami.
This house includes a large and pleasant yard. Perhaps this calm and romantic atmosphere has been a stimulus to the nature of poetry and the artistic taste of this creator of words. Bricks are used in the construction of Parvin Etesami’s House. A statue of Parvin is located at the beginning of the stairs. It’s like she is waiting for her guests to greet them, embrace them, and guide them to the top of the stairs and other parts of the house. To show how the warmth and intimacy of her childhood home inspired her poems.