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Narenjestan Museum and Garden - Shiraz

 

Narenjestan Museum is situated at the Lotf Ali Khan Zand Street in Shiraz. There is a beautiful garden in the middle of this museum, hence it’s name,” Narenjestan” the Place of the Oranges. Sometimes, main building is referred as “Narenjestan Qavam” or  Qavam House.

 

History of Narenjestan Museum

This typical Persian garden has a fountain in the middle and it’s main building was built between 1879-1886 on the Northern side of the garden. The Narenjestan Garden building is attributed to Mirza Ebrahim Khan, a member of the Qavam family, who originally came from Qazvin. 
The house was one of a typical for the upper class families in the 19th century. During the second Pahlavi era, the House became the headquarters of Pahlavi University’s Asia Institute in Shiraz. In 1965, Narenjestan was handed over to the staffs of Asian Institute and Shiraz University.

Main building of the Narenjestan Museum, seen from the Lotf Ali Khan Zand Street
Main building of the Narenjestan Museum, seen from the Lotf Ali Khan Zand Street
Beautiful ceiling of the Narenjestan Museum and Garden was at the reception area
Beautiful ceiling of the Narenjestan Museum and Garden was at the reception area (Ticket area)
A beautifil garden is located in the middle of this museum
Oranges and palm date trees inside the garden of Narenjestan Museum of Shiraz
Oranges and palm date trees inside the garden of Narenjestan Museum of Shiraz
This typical Persian garden has a fountain in the middle
This typical Persian garden has a fountain in the middle
Here, main building can be seen at the end of the garden
Here, main building can be seen at the end of the garden
A walkway goes on one side of the garden
Designs created on one of the internal walls of the museum which faces the garden
Designs created on one of the internal walls of the museum which faces the garden
Decorative walls of the Narenjestan Museum
Decorative walls of the Narenjestan Museum
Paintings created on the tiles beside the garden
The architecture represents the elegance and refinement of the Zand and Qajar dynasties
The Qavam House is located on the northern wing of the garden
The Qavam House is located on the northern wing of the garden
A small corridor is located to the right side of the garden, close to the entry gate
A small corridor is located to the right side of the garden, close to the entry gate
A typical Persian fresco on one of the walls of the Qavam House
A typical Persian fresco on one of the walls of the Qavam House
Another elaborate yet simple design on a wall

Interior

Architecture quality, brickwork and tiled frameworks, carvings by saw, wood works, mirror work, glass work, and plaster work, paintings and the other ornaments that used in this building had made it very unique in Shiraz. This house offers it’s visitors a unique window into the history of Shiraz’s architecture. 
Mirror and glass work adorn the ceilings and walls of the house have paintings created on them. There is a marbled fire place in one of the rooms and at the top of it, a painting depicts a scene from the Persian Empire’s glory days.

Attention to details is one of the main focus point in Qavam House of Shiraz
This house offers it's visitors a unique window into the history of Shiraz
This house offers it's visitors a unique window into the history of Shiraz
Wooden doors and airy rooms are hallmark of the Narenjestan Museum
Wooden doors and airy rooms are hallmark of the Narenjestan Museum
Mirror and glass work on the ceiling and walls of the house
Mirror and glass work on the ceiling and walls of the house
When it came to the decoration of the house, no expense were spared
When it came to the decoration of the house, no expense were spared
A marbled fire place in one of the rooms
A marbled fire place in one of the rooms
A painting is inscripted on top of the fireplace
A painting is inscripted on top of the fireplace
A panel decorated with the glass work
A panel decorated with the glass work
Wood carving on one of the doors of the Narenjestan Museum
Wood carving on one of the doors of the Narenjestan Museum
Garden of the Narenjestan Museum seen from the northern side of the complex
Garden of the Narenjestan Museum seen from the northern side of the complex


Although, this building is small in size but art work makes up for it. Wood carving was always a great art in the Middle East but to add richness to it, plastic strings were added to give it a permanent look. Qavam House is officially called a museum now due to the finer details it possesses from the 19th century.

The garden and Qavam House both are very photogenic but also for a relaxing evening to take a break from the hustle and bustle of Shiraz.

Doors of the Qavam House, facing the garden on the southern side
Doors of the Qavam House, facing the garden on the southern side
Interior of the Narenjestan Museum
Interior of the Narenjestan Museum 's main platform
A beautiful ceiling in one of the rooms
A beautiful ceiling of the open room
Raised platform of the Qavam House - Shiraz
Raised platform of the Qavam House - Shiraz
Details of the interior of the main facade
Details of the interior of the main facade
Surprisingly, this ceiling wasn't painted with bright colours
A wooden door decorated with floral designs made of plastic
A wooden door decorated with floral designs made of plastic
Frescoes on the ceiling of the upper room
Some of the paintings here are inspired by the Victorian era Europe
Some of the paintings here are inspired by the Victorian era Europe
A colourful painted ceiling of the Qavam House
Simple geometric designs were added to the walls of the room
Simple geometric designs were added to the walls of the room
A view of the garden from the room on the first floor
Open section of the Qavam House, which faces the garden
Stairs which lead to the upper areas of the house
Stairs which lead to the upper areas of the house
A final look at the beautiful Qavam House of Shiraz
A final look at the beautiful Qavam House of Shiraz