Amir Latifi House

The Amir Latifi House is one of the most valuable historic houses in the city of Gorgan, in Golestan Province. It stands in the historic Na'lbandan quarter, next to the Jameh Mosque of Gorgan. Built in the late Qajar period on the orders of Mahdi Khan Sa'ed Lashkar (Malek), the last governor of Astarabad, the house later passed into the ownership of Seyyed Abolqasem Amir Latifi and has been known as the Amir Latifi House ever since. Covering an area of about 956 square metres, it is regarded as an outstanding example of Qajar-era residential architecture, and on 18 Aban 1378 it was inscribed on the Iran National Heritage List under number 2391. Today the building has been converted into the Gorgan Handicrafts Museum, and besides preserving its architectural value, it plays an important role in presenting the culture, art and handicrafts of the various peoples of Golestan Province.

The architecture of the Amir Latifi House is based on the central-courtyard plan and uses local materials such as brick, adobe, wood and sarooj (a traditional waterproof lime mortar). The central pond, lush garden beds, wooden lattice windows with coloured glass, a tiled gabled roof and brick decoration give an authentic picture of traditional Iranian houses. The main building has two storeys and includes three-door and five-door rooms, a basement, a korsi-khaneh (a room with a traditional heated table) and service areas. The ground floor presents the handicrafts of different parts of Golestan Province, while the upper floor displays traditional trades such as carpet weaving, mat weaving, felt making, thread spinning, cotton carding, coppersmithing and blacksmithing, with the help of old tools, local statues and historical objects. The korsi-khaneh recreates the living space of a Gorgani family and shows visitors a part of the culture and lifestyle of the people of this region.

The Amir Latifi House is very easy to reach. It lies in the historic quarter of Gorgan, in the Na'lbandan neighbourhood, on the eastern side of the Jameh Mosque of Gorgan. While visiting the museum, travellers can also see other historic attractions nearby, such as the Na'lbandan Bazaar, the Taghavi House, the Emadiyeh School and other historic buildings in Gorgan's old quarter. A visit usually takes about an hour and is possible in every season, but spring and autumn, with their pleasant weather, are the best times to explore the historic quarter of Gorgan. During your visit, practising responsible tourism will help protect this valuable heritage: avoid touching historical objects, keep the atmosphere calm, keep the site clean, and respect the cultural and historical value of the building.