Moshir al-Dowleh Mansion

The Moshir al-Dowleh Mansion is one of the historic buildings of Tehran, in Tehran Province. It stands on Manouchehri Street, between Lalezar and Ferdowsi streets. Built in the mid-19th century, it was the residence of Hassan Pirnia, titled Moshir al-Dowleh, a prominent Iranian statesman, jurist and historian. Beyond its architectural value, the building holds an important place in Iran's contemporary history, and because of its link to one of the influential figures of the Constitutional era, it is regarded as part of the capital's historical and cultural heritage. The Moshir al-Dowleh Mansion is registered on Iran's National Heritage List under number 1899.

The mansion consists of a two-story building with a basement and a spacious courtyard, and various parts of it show features of both Iranian and European architecture. Its distinctive features include stuccoed fireplaces, the large hall on the second floor, the staircases, and the tea house or sherbet house, decorated with clay tiles depicting historical and mythological figures. Moshir al-Dowleh's old library, his study, the dining room and the reception areas were also notable parts of this historic house. The importance of the mansion is not limited to its architecture: in this house Hassan Pirnia wrote works such as his book on the history of ancient Iran (Tarikh-e Iran-e Bastan) and writings on international law, and the drafting of the Constitutional Decree is also attributed to this place. The mansion is also known as a filming location for the TV series "Hezardastan" and the films "Khastegar" and "Shatranj-e Bad". After a period of abandonment, the building was restored and revived, and it is now assigned to the Institute for the History of Medicine, Islamic Medicine and Complementary Medicine. Visiting its interior may therefore require prior arrangements and the necessary permits.

To reach the Moshir al-Dowleh Mansion, head to central Tehran and Manouchehri Street, in the area between Lalezar and Ferdowsi streets. Since the building lies in the old central part of the city, public transport and walking through the surrounding streets can be a good way to get there. Before planning a visit, it is best to check whether entry is possible, as well as opening hours and visiting conditions, because the mansion's current use differs from that of a public museum. Given Tehran's climate, a visit can be planned on most days of the year; however, the mild days of spring and autumn are better for exploring the surrounding historic district. When visiting the grounds and historic buildings, following the site's rules, not touching fragile decorations and keeping the area clean all help preserve this valuable heritage.