Pars Museum

The Pars Museum is one of the most prominent and oldest museums in Shiraz, Fars Province. It stands in Nazar Garden (Bagh-e Nazar) along Zand Street and is counted among the city's valuable historical collections. The museum lies in the heart of Shiraz's historic quarter, close to the Arg of Karim Khan Zand and other attractions from the Zand era, and the building itself is part of the historical experience of visiting Shiraz. The museum building was constructed in the Zand period in the 18th century as an octagonal pavilion (a kolah-farangi). It was first used to receive embassy guests and for official ceremonies, and later also became the site of Karim Khan Zand's tomb. The complex was established as a museum in 1314–1315 (Solar Hijri) and has been registered on Iran's national heritage list as one of the country's outstanding historical monuments.

Although relatively small, the Pars Museum holds a rich collection of artistic and historical works that takes visitors deep into Iranian culture and art. It houses exquisite handwritten manuscripts of the Holy Quran, works by leading Iranian painters of the Zand and Qajar periods, watermarked papers, pottery vessels, swords, decorative objects and valuable paintings, including the famous painting "Karim Khan Zand Smoking a Qalyan (Water Pipe)" by Jafar Naqqash. The tomb of Karim Khan Zand himself is located in one of the museum's inner sections, so alongside the artworks visitors can also encounter parts of the history of the Zand dynasty.

To visit the Pars Museum, simply head to the centre of Shiraz. The museum is on Zand Street, inside Nazar Garden, and it is very easy to reach by private car, taxi or public transport, because the garden and museum are on one of the main thoroughfares of the city centre. The best time to visit is from autumn to spring; the weather in Shiraz is especially pleasant in spring, and the garden looks its best with flowers and lush trees. While visiting, respecting the historical works, keeping quiet and orderly, and keeping the site clean are basic principles of responsible tourism, so that this cultural treasure is preserved for future generations.