Tomb of Nader Shah

The Tomb of Nader Shah Afshar is one of the most important historical and cultural attractions of Mashhad in Razavi Khorasan Province. It was designed and built by Hooshang Seyhoun in 1342 (Solar Hijri) in memory of Nader Shah Afshar, the founder of the Afsharid dynasty. The complex stands in Naderi Garden, close to Shohada Intersection, and has two main parts: the tomb building and the historical museums. The tomb sits in a garden of about 14,400 square metres, and because of its urban location it is one of the most accessible historical attractions in Mashhad. On 18 Azar 1354 (Solar Hijri) the building was registered as one of Iran's national monuments under registration number 1174.

The history of the tomb goes back to Nader Shah's own lifetime, when he ordered a simple mausoleum to be built in Mashhad. Over time, and after the rule of his successors ended, this original tomb fell into ruin, until efforts to rebuild it began in the Qajar period. Abdolhossein Teymourtash laid the groundwork for restoring the tomb by presenting a plan in the National Consultative Assembly, and after the law was passed, the cost of the reconstruction was covered by local taxes. In 1296 (Solar Hijri) a new building was constructed and Nader Shah's remains were moved to the present site. Besides the memorial building itself, this historical complex has two important museum halls: one displays military equipment, weapons and artefacts of the Afsharid period, while the other presents a collection of weapons and historical objects from various periods of Iranian history. The famous statue of Nader Shah on horseback, the work of master sculptor Abolhassan Sadighi, stands in the garden grounds and is one of the complex's signature landmarks. The architecture is inspired by nomadic tents, and its stone walls and interior tell of Nader Shah's military power and historical story.

The present-day tomb was designed with an architecture inspired by Nader Shah's military spirit and historical personality, and its use of large stones and distinctive geometric forms evokes the grandeur and authority of this king. The Tomb of Nader Shah Afshar is very easy to reach from within Mashhad, as the complex lies in the central part of the city, near the holy shrine of Imam Reza (AS). If you plan to visit the tomb by metro, get off at Shohada metro station and walk for about 5 minutes. The best times to visit this historical site are spring and autumn, when Mashhad's weather is milder and exploring the open space of the garden is more enjoyable. Visitors should respect the principles of cultural heritage protection and avoid damaging the building, the statues or the historical grounds, so that this valuable monument is preserved for future generations.