One of the oldest neighborhood in Tehran is Bahrestan in 12th District. Prior to it’s today name it was called Negarestan square in Reza Shah kingdom. this name came from Negrestan palace which was built in this district under the order of Fath-Ali Shah Qajar. This king of Qajar had a special interest in painting. Therefore chose this name.
From the north, it is bounded with Ebne-Sina and Pol-e Choubi, Toward the west Jomhouri street and Mokhber-o dole cross and in the south this area ends in Amirkabir street.
The importance of this sub region is due to the construction of the first national parliament of Iran in the constitutional period. This place has been a location for the lawmakers to debate for more than a century. Other than that Baharastan is the chief market of musical instruments.
In the current age, the Social stratification of this area is filled with locals who aren’t new to this area.
- Baharestan district at a glance:
- Geographical position in Tehran: Center
- known for: amazing historical places and alluring landmarks
- Neighboring districts: Laleh zar district
- Access to Baharestan district : Sayyad shirazi highway
- Subway station: it is available
- Bus station: it is available
- the price range of furnished apartment in Baharestan district: Middle
The first parliament of Iran in Baharestan complex
In 1906 the national legislative assembly of Iran initiated its official work in The National Consultative congress after limitless endeavors of its defenders. It’s extraordinary how many phases of change can a building have! First, it was designed by a French architect after a while this site destroyed by dissidents twice and finally after many pressures from the common people advocates, this current building was designed by an Iranian designer called Hassan Taherzadeh. He tried to combine the customary architectural elements from Darius place and the feature of French parliament together and turned this building into reality. 24 parliamentary terms were held here with occasional interventions which cause the parliament to stop its progress. Today this building is known as Baharestan palace. You can find it at the intersection of Jomhouri street and Baharestan square.
- Bahrestan garden: This garden is the space surrounding the first legislative assembly of Iran. The most exquisite feature of this garden is on the back of the building in which there is an infinite fountain. The reflection of Congress building on the water projects it’s carefully crafted Pilasters and the alignment of the pillars inspired by Persepolis structure, also the entrance itself had a great influence from Élysée Palace in France. This museum and garden is on the left side of Baharestan district.
- Library, and Document Center of Iran parliament: located in the south part of Baharestan square behind the modern building parliament on Mostafa Khomeini street. There are more than 60 thousand books here and among them there are many historical manuscripts. Keikhosrow Shahrokh– a member of parliament at the time-voluntary founded this library due to the need he felt. He donated around 1500 volume of books. Later with the great endeavors of Yussef Etessami, this library expanded. From then until now the treasure of books in this library continues to grow for knowledge and science enthusiasts.
- Museum of Iran Parliament: unexpected to see such artistic works in this museum! Kamal-ol-Molk wished to have a permanent exhibition of some of his own works and some from his brilliant students. Later He accepted the offer Esmaeil Ashtiani to put his hand-picked works in the Negarestn garden. After the death of Kamal-ol-Molk Ashtiani, thsi man took charge and bought some of the works and started this museum. Over time due to the location of this place other items were added to the painting collocation such as gifts from other nations.
- Malijak mansion: this historical mansion was a part of Sepah Salar Andaruni. Later Naser al-Din Shah Qajar bought it from her and gifted to Malijak- his cajole servant. The mansion you see today was his residency at the time. This multi-dimensional mansion within the garden has had an outstanding reputation for a long time. Today this place is part of the Iran parliament museum.
- Sepah Salar garden Bazaar: During the Qajar dynasty this whole street was a garden and Mirza Hosein Sepahsalar was the original owner of it. today it is a grande bazaar for bags, wallets, and shoes.
- Sepahsalar mosque: Today is known as Shahid Motahari mosque in Baharestan district. Prior to that, this land was a garden (Baqe salar) and by the will of its last owner Mirza Hosein Sepahsalar who had no child, this mosque was built in 1878. The union of pure colors in the exterior amazes many, from the harmonious purple to orange and royal blue on the hand made tiles all of them are memorizing. Interior and courtyard architecture are impressive, as there had been great care in crafting details of plaster-work of arches and dome- these architectural elements are the symbolic representative of the vault of heaven.
The modern parliament building of Iran
Contemporary parliament building of Iran has a pyramid shape. Interior has a shape of a half polygon and whitin this part there are four sections of chairs. every section is in parallel with direction of polygon sides. Abdolreza Zakai designed this building in 1997.
Three other historical places to visit around Baharestan district
- Negarestan museum garden: the architecture of this national heritage was purposefully ordered to resemble kōšk ‘palace designs. Fath-Ali Shah Qajar wanted to have many subsidiary buildings within the garden. Overall there are 64 rooms in this palace and many fountains and watercourses in the yard.
- Masoudieh palace: Seven a celestial number is manifested in Masoudieh palace in Baharestan sub region. This palace was originally made for Naser al-Din Shah Qajar’s Son on a land that was 4000 square meter. Shaban Memar Bashi was the mastermind behind the design of this national heritage. The place has 7 compartments including Banquet hall, dining room, spring house, Seyyed Javadi mansion, Moshir Al-Maliki mansion, back yard mansion, and the main building.
Worship place for Hindu in Baharestan
- Bhai Ganga Singh Sabha: A unique place for Hindus to pray and keep Hindus traditions and rituals alive. This is the only sacred site in Tehran with a lively ambiance that reminisces famous Hindu temples. Rectangle shape in the inside represents universality at the core of the temple.
Do you long for a diverse environment? Perhaps a movie
- Hafez cinema and theater: this theater is one of the first cinema hall in Iran. Hafez cinema was founded in 1958 with two movie halls. You can buy tickets for good price and have different leisure activity in this district.
Where to eat in Baharestan?
- Shater Abbas restaurant: this restaurant is on the Saadi street in Baharestan and It is one of those authentic restaurants in this part of tehran. The interior and exterior design is not eye-catching but wait for its food! its simplicity will bring a visual appeal to everyone including you, as it’s dishes are prepared following the conventional recipes of Tehran.
what’s the souvenir of Baharestan?
- Samovar: first it was brought to Iran from Russia. And today this is the most famous accessories of conventional homes In Iran. This water boiler has a body, chimney, steam vent, crown and rings, tap and key, and drip bowl. There are many options Its frame can be made out of Gold, silver, copper and the exterior can have diverse embellishments. Look around and take a look at samovar stores in Baharestan zone. In Baharestan you can find exclusively designed Samovars based on your likings.
Fastest health service in Amir A’lam hospital in Baharestan
- Amir A’lam hospital: the vision of its founder in 1943 was to provide a substantial health service for women following that gradually more extensive wards have been added. Having had more than 800 staff this site could give service to nearly 70.000 patients so far. So far Amir A’lam hospital this hospital could put it’s name among the fastest health care providers in the Tehran
How to get there and commute in Baharestan?
- Darvazeh dolat metro
- Darvazeh shemiran
- Baharestan metro
- Sa’adi metro station
Diplomatic mansions in Baharestan
- Embassy of Romania
- Embassy of Germany