Saadabad Palace Complex, Tehran

Saadabad Palace Complex

The Saadabad Palace is a palace complex in Iran , built by the Pahlavi dynasty. Saadabad Palace complex is located in the first district of Tehran in the area of Zaferaniyeh, which is one of the most expensive areas of Tehran.

The complex was initially inhabited during the 19th century by the monarchs of the Qajar dynasty and their royal family. After an expansion of the pavilions, Reza Pahlavi lived there during the 1920s and his son moved to the complex in the 1970s, having both lived for some time in the Green Palace.

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After the Iranian Revolution, the different pavilions that make up the palace were transformed into museums. However, the present presidential palace of Iran is adjacent to Saadabad Palace.

For the present, museums set up in the pavilions of Saadabade Palace allow the visitors to go through the various spaces and observe the rich history of Iran. Some parts of the complex are used by the Iranian Cultural Heritage Organization, which is responsible for most artifacts, attractions and cultural aspects of the country.

The White Palace (or Palace of the Nation) in Saadabad Complex
From the outside, this large building, excluding the double colonnade at the entrance, looks more like an administrative building than a princely palace. At the bottom of the monumental stairs remains a huge pair of bronze boots, the only remnant of a statue of Reza Shah, destroyed during the revolution.

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The White Palace, now converted into a National Museum, oscillates between exterior austerity and very rich interiors. The 54 rooms and reception rooms are equipped with huge crystal chandeliers and precious carpets, specially made for the occasion. On the first floor, the carpet of the reception hall for official dinners, is said to be the largest ever made in Iran. The very francophile shah hired a Parisian interior designer. In spite of the simple exterior, the luxurious objects and decorations exhibited in the ceremonial rooms make a royal atmosphere in the building. The roof is retractable according to a German system, very high tech for the time.

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The Green Palace (Shahvand) in Saadabad Complex
Located at the top of the hills overlooking the White Palace, the Shahvand Palace occupies an area of 1203 sqm. Entirely made of onyx, the color of green almost dominates the pavilion and has made a unique palace in Iran. See the mosaics rooms of mirror shards (qadjar style) housing collections of carpets, furniture and other precious objects.

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The Military Museum in Saadabad Complex
This museum includes a collection of military equipments, weapons, uniforms and some pieces from the Achaemenid era.

Fine Arts museum in Saadabad Complex
Some Persian paintings, including several portraits (rare in Islamic art which prohibits human representation) and a few pieces of furniture a magnificent marquetry.

This painting gallery consists of: works by recent famous Iranian painters such as: Sohrab Sepehri, Hossein Mahjobi, Faramarz Pilaram, Hossein Zende Roodi and miniature paintings by Master Hossein Behzad and Kelara Abkar and also there are paintings by Iranian artists from Safavid era(1501-1722) to Qajarian era

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The Museum of Natural History in Saadabad Complex
The residence, which once belonged to the shah's daughter, contains a collection of stuffed animals and hunting trophies.

The museums in Saadabad Palace Complex:

1. Mellat Palace Museum (White Palace)

2. Fine Arts Museum

3. Green Palace Museum

4. Master MirEmad Calligraphy Museum

5. Master Behzad Museum

6. Royal Albums and Historical Documents` Museum

7. Water Museum

8. Royal Cars Museum

9. Royal Weapons Museum

10. Royal Tableware Museum

11. Military Museum