About Iran: Tehran

Bustling Heart of a Nation

Tehran (Alt.1100-1700).The capital of Iran was a village near Rey After the demolition of Rey by the Mongols(1270 A.D.), it gradually and was later chosen as the capital of the country at the time of Agha Mohammad Khan Qajar in the 18thc.A.D, Tehran has been a capital for only two centuries, and has undergone constant reconstruction during that time. Today it is the product of decades of uncontrolled urban growth and as a result of this, the only traces of the country's long history are hidden behind its museum walls. Places to visit : Azadi Tower Tehran's most famous monument is probably the Azadi Tower (Freedom Tower), which includes a cultural centre with a library, a museum and art galleries that display works by contemporary artists. The tower is a triumphal arch in white stone, standing 45 metres (148 feet) high, and composed of a large central block set on four splayed feet. Designed by a young Iranian architect, the tower was finished in 1971 for the celebrations of the 2,500th anniversary of the monarchy. The tower is located to the west of Tehran, at the junction of the roads from the airport and Qazvin, and acts as a grandiose gateway to the capital.

	At the foot of the Alborz Mountains, the once-fortified capital has seen many changes (both evolutionary and revolutionary) since the 18th Century, when much of its finest architecture was built. Today it is a prosperous modern city with a fascinating history to explore, brought to life with the help of its numerous Museums: Archaeological, Crown Jewels, Ethnological, Carpet, Ceramic and Glass, Reza Abbasi (collection of Persian art treasures), and Sa'ad Abad (the Palace of the former Shah).
Tehran  Hamadan  Kashan  Isfahan  Yazd  Shiraz  Kerman     -   back to map