Mulla Lotfollah Sheikh al-Islam Mansion

The Mulla Lotfollah Sheikh al-Islam Mansion is one of the valuable historic buildings of Sanandaj, in Kurdistan Province. It was built about 150 years ago, during the reign of the Qajar king Naser al-Din Shah, on the orders of Mulla Lotfollah Sheikh al-Islam, a Sunni scholar and the chief judge of the Kurdistan region. The complex originally had an inner section (andaruni), an outer section (biruni) and several ancillary spaces. After its founder's death it was divided into two main parts and passed to other owners. The outer section later came into the possession of Abdolhamid Khan Sanandaji, known as Salar Saeed, and the Sanandaj Museum is housed in this part today. After some time, the inner section, which was in the hands of the Habibi family, was transferred to the Cultural Heritage Department of Kurdistan Province.

Among the architectural features of the mansion are the ceremonial hall, the hoozkhaneh (pool room), the basement, and rooms decorated with plasterwork and mirror work. The seven-panel sash window (orosi) with stained glass in the outer section is one of the building's most distinctive elements and gives the hall a striking look. In the inner section, the five-door room, with its plasterwork and wall paintings, and the two-door room known as the Narenjestan (Orangery) are notable spaces. The complex's historic bathhouse, located in the inner section on the west side of the basement, is another valuable part of the mansion. It consisted of an entrance, a sarbineh (cold room), a warm room, a furnace (toon), a pool (khazineh) and a private chamber, and it is decorated with carved lime plaster, single-colour tilework, and geometric, arabesque and animal motifs. The Sanandaj Museum also operates in the outer section of the mansion, and visiting it offers a chance to learn about historical and archaeological artifacts.

To visit the mansion, head to the historic district of Sanandaj, around Imam Khomeini Street, Shapur Street and Habibi Alley. The museum section is also known as the Sanandaj Museum or the Salar Saeed Mansion. Spring and early autumn are generally the best times to stroll through the city's historic district and see other nearby attractions. Before planning your visit, check the opening hours and whether the different sections can be visited, because the museum building and the inner section serve different purposes, and not every part of the complex may be open to the public. During your visit, pay attention to the delicate decorations, the stained glass and the historic parts of the building, and avoid touching or damaging the artifacts and architectural elements.