Taghdiri House, Ardakan

Taghdiri House is one of the most valuable historic houses in the city of Ardakan, in Yazd Province. It dates back to the Qajar period and was once the residence of a well-known merchant of the city named Taghdiri. The historic building stands on Haeri Street in the old quarter of Ardakan and is regarded as an outstanding example of Iranian desert house architecture. Unlike many traditional houses in Ardakan and Meybod, which were built on three sides, Taghdiri House was designed on a four-sided plan, with a central courtyard surrounded by the other spaces. This valuable monument was added to the Iran National Heritage list on 27 Dey 1377 (SH) under registration number 2186, and today it is under the supervision of the Cultural Heritage, Tourism and Handicrafts Office.

Taghdiri House has two storeys and was built with local materials, including mud brick, clay and fired brick. It consists of two sections, one for the owners and one for the servants, both of which shared a common kitchen. Its three-door and five-door rooms with stained glass, delicate geometric woodwork (gereh-chini), wooden decorations, main hall, basement, raised platform (soffeh), and summer and winter quarters give the house a striking beauty. One of the building's unique features is its tall, single-sided windcatcher in the southern part, which serves not only the summer quarters but also the winter quarters of the house, something rarely seen among desert houses. In addition, the payab (also called pakaneh), a water channel through which the water of the Bahaoddin qanat once flowed, played an important role in moderating the temperature inside the house and shows the ingenuity of Iranian architects in adapting to the region's hot, dry climate.

Taghdiri House is very easy to reach, as it stands on Haeri Street in the heart of Ardakan's historic district. Visitors can see it along with other historic sites in the city, such as the Jame Mosque of Ardakan, and learn about the way of life and authentic architecture of the Qajar period. Autumn, winter and early spring, thanks to their mild weather, are the best times to visit this historic attraction. During your visit, please avoid touching the decorations, stained glass and fragile parts of the building, and by respecting the principles of cultural heritage conservation, help preserve this valuable historic legacy for future generations.