Laleh-ei House

The Laleh-ei House is one of the historic monuments and sights of Tabriz. It dates from the reign of the first Pahlavi king and stands in Sadr Alley, off South Artesh Street. The house originally belonged to Fathollah Ouf and was later bought by Haj Hossein Laleh, and several generations of the Laleh family lived in it. The building has two floors, with 600 square metres of floor area on a 900-square-metre plot. Its design follows the architectural style of the Pahlavi era, and its brick blind arches and secluded courtyards give an example of urban life in that period.

The ground floor has two corridors, a central room and two side rooms. A small courtyard on the north side of this floor brings natural light into the interior. The first floor has a large hall and side rooms, and the two floors are connected by a kolah-farangi (pavilion-style) staircase. The facade is decorated with brick framing and two porches with stucco columns and capitals, which give the building an elegant, artistic look. The building was registered on the Iran National Heritage list on 20 Azar 1379 (Solar Hijri) under registration number 2919. In recognition of the services of the late Yahya Zoka, an eminent researcher of the history and civilization of Iran and Azerbaijan, the house is used as the "Yahya Zoka Historical Research Office". His historical documents, records and books are on display here, and the building is currently owned by the Cultural Heritage Organization.

To visit the Laleh-ei House, head to Tabriz and go from South Artesh Street to Sadr Alley. The house is in the old part of the city and is easy to reach. The best time to visit is spring, when the tulips bloom in the courtyard and the colourful building looks especially striking. While visiting, it is important to travel responsibly: do not enter restricted areas, do not leave litter, and treat the interior and the building with respect.