Niavaran Cultural-Historical Complex is situated in Tehran’s northeastern part known as Shemiranat.
Dating back to the Qajar Dynasty, the complex was changed into a museum after the Islamic Revolution. It was administered jointly with the Sa’dabad Complex till 1999 and emerged as an independent entity in 2000.
Presently, it comprises five museums, namely Niavaran Palace Museum, Ahmad Shahi Pavilion, Sahebqaranieh Palace, Jahan Nama Museum and the library, Allmuseums website reported.
Niavaran Palace Museum
Niavaran Palace Museum is situated in the northeastern part of Niavaran Garden with two-and-a-half floors over an area of 9,000 square meters. The palace was designed by Mohsen Foroughi and built by Farmanfarmayan Company in 1958. Following a short delay, it was completed in 1967 and went into use in 1968.
Initially planned to be the reception house for foreign guests, the building was later used as a residential palace by the shah and his family.
The quadrilateral design of the palace and its interior designing is inspired by Iranian archeology while it also employed modern technology. Its decorations have also been inspired by the pre- and post-Islamic art.
The plasterwork has been carried out by Master Abdollahi, mirror-work by Master Ali Asghar and tile-work on the outer part by Master Ibrahim Kazempour and Ilia. The building’s floor is covered by black stone and has an aluminum sliding roof. The internal decoration and furniture of the palace have been designed and implemented by a French group.

Ahmad Shahi Pavilion
Covering an area of 800 square meters north of Sahebqaranieh Palace, this two-storied pavilion was built in the closing days of the Qajar period, as a private retreat for Ahmad Shah.
The building’s brick facade has various designs and is light yellow in color. The entrance of the pavilion is on the southern side of the building, which is joined to the pavilion by various stairs which pass alongside a pond covered with tiles.
After restoration and interior modifications, Ahmad Shahi Pavilion was used as the residence and office of Reza Pahlavi. Its furniture were changed completely during the last shah’s rule.
The ground floor of this building consists of a hall with a pond made of marble-stone in its center with six rooms and two corridors. Decorative items made of silver, bronze, ivory, wood and souvenirs from India, paintings, medals, etc. are exhibited here.
Other items on display include decorative mineral stones, a stone from the Moon, and various plant and animal fossils.
The second floor of this building consists of a central hall and a four-sided veranda. The main hall, which was used as the music room, is surrounded by wooden shelves.
The plasterwork pattern of lion and the sun can be seen on the northern wall of the veranda.

Sahebqaranieh Palace
In 1267 AH (1388), Nassereddin Shah ordered the construction of Niavaran Palace with two floors, including Shah-neshin (formal reception area), Korsi-khaneh (winter sitting room) and a bathroom.
During the 31st year of his reign, he called himself the Sahebqaran and called this palace Sahebqaranieh.
After him, Mozaffareddin Shah made changes in the building. The constitution was also signed by him in the yard of this palace.
Under Reza Pahlavi, the palace was renovated for the marriage of Mohammad Reza Pahlavi with Princess Fowzieh for receiving the guests, but due to severe winter conditions the ceremonies were not held there.
During the last shah’s reign, Queen Farah Diba made changes in its internal decorations and building. Consequently, the first floor was used for receiving the guests and the second floor was used as the king’s office.

Jahan Nama Museum
In 1976, a section in the western part of the Sahebqaranieh Palace was designated for the souvenirs received and items purchased by the last queen. It contained four halls in the ground floor and one hall in the basement.
On the ceiling of the main hall of this museum, exquisite wood paintings featuring the flower and bird pattern of Shiraz can be seen. This museum opened in 1997 to the public.

Library
The library of Niavaran Palace, situated in the eastern section of the palace with two floors and a basement on an area of 770 square meters, was built in 1976. The interior designing of this building has been carried out by Aziz Farmanfarmayan and Charles Serigny. It displays different features of architecture, notably the modern architecture prevailing in the 1960s, along with a combination of glass and stonework.
The main section of the library consists of the reading room with bookshelves on the ground and first floors. Other areas consist of the place for the librarian, the audiovisual room, etc. In addition, a major part of the basement is allocated for storing books and paintings.
A visit to this cultural-historical complex presents a survey of the architectural styles that blended over time and is worth a look.

South Korea and Spain are to discuss tourism-related projects, including hotel and roadside complex construction in Iran.
South Korea and Spain are to conduct investment negotiations on tourism related projects such as hotel and roadside complex construction in Iran, reported Irtat website.
Spanish investors had a meeting with the head of Iran Cultural Heritage, Handicrafts and Tourism Organization recently to explain their plan to construct a seven-star hotel in Tehran.
This hotel with a 60m green area in all rooms will be an excellent example in water conservation and energy production.
One thousand roadside complexes are also planned to be built in eight months according to the Spanish delegation.
These complexes will contain supermarkets, fast foods, restrooms and a prayer hall for Muslims.
A South Korean delegation will also travel to Iran next month to discuss construction of four- and five-star hotels in Iran.

Most Iranians are thought to be of Aryan ancestry, descending from Asiatic peoples who migrated to the region in the first millennium BC. These Aryan groups, who make up the majority of Iran’s population today, include Persians, Kurds, Lors, Baluchs, Gilakis and Mazandaranis. Over time, Turks and Arabs integrated with the population.
The most substantial minority group in Iran is the Azarbaijanis, Iranyellowpages reported.
Aryan peoples originate from the Indo-European ethnic and linguistic group. They are believed to be the ancestors of the people of present-day Europe, India and Iran. Their language was closely related to the ancient Indian language Sanskrit that was derived from the Indo-European family of languages.
Iran’s official language Persian (also known as Farsi) is also a derivative of the Indo-European linguistic family. Persian and Persian dialects are the major lingua franca of contemporary Iran. Kurdish, Lori, Balouch, Turkish, Arabic and Azeri are also spoken.
Brief History
Archeological findings have placed knowledge of Iranian prehistory at middle Paleolithic times.
The earliest sedentary cultures date from 18,000 to 14,000 years ago. By the sixth millennium BC, a fairly sophisticated agricultural society and proto-urban population had emerged. As part of the third wave of migration from Europe, Aryan tribes traveled across the Caspian Sea and settled the area of Iran around 1500 BC.
After centuries of inhabitation and peaceful coexistence with the indigenous population, two major civilizations emerged out of these peoples, namely the Persian and the Medes.
By 6th century BC, the two ancient civilizations were united under Cyrus the Great. Cyrus toppled the neighboring kingdoms of Babylonia, Palestine, Syria and Asia Minor, and consolidated all the territories into the great Persian Empire. The following dynasty that ensued was called the Achaemenian Dynasty, in deference to Cyrus’ respect for his ancestors.

Iran will host a special ceremony to bestow seals of approval on handicraft produced in the Middle East region.
Hossein Hatefi, ICHHTO deputy head said the meeting will be held in 2011, Fars News Agency reported.
He pointed out that the handicrafts should express the cultural, national and traditional identity of the country they represent.
“The handicrafts should show creativity of artists in both design and production process,“ Hatefi added.
He pointed out that friendly relationship with nature, meeting the rights of workers and standardization of production venue, availability in international arenas and making use of best raw material and technology by artists in creating a work of art are among other criteria for choosing the work.
“A total of six Iranian handicrafts have received genuine seal last year,“ Hatefi added.
He enumerated the privileges of receiving the international award as having the opportunity to join UNESCO website and electronic sale market, supporting the products registered in World Intellectual Property Organization, participating in trade exhibitions and receiving international certificates.