Art Museum
National Museum of Iran
Image: Wikimedia Commons.
National Museum of Iran is an art museum in Tehran County, Iran.
About National Museum of Iran
Overview & Identity
The National Museum of Iran, known in Persian as Mūze-ye Melli-ye Irān, is the premier institution for Iranian history and archaeology, housing the country's largest and most diverse collection of antiquities. Located in central Tehran, it serves as the nation's 'mother museum,' dedicated to preserving relics from the Paleolithic era to the Qajar period and fostering a global understanding of Iran's role in human civilization. The museum complex comprises two distinct buildings: the Museum of Ancient Iran and the Museum of Islamic Era, collectively holding over 1.3 million objects in its reserves.
History & Founding
The foundation of the museum dates to the 1930s during the reign of Reza Shah, driven by the need to preserve historical treasures following excavations by European archaeologists. The project was led by French architect André Godard, who designed the original structure to house artifacts unearthed by Iranian and international teams. Construction of the Museum of Ancient Iran began in 1935, and the building officially opened to the public in 1937. A second building, the Museum of Islamic Era, was inaugurated in 1972 and began operations after the 1979 Islamic Revolution, expanding the museum's chronological scope.
Collection Highlights & Notable Holdings
The collection spans over 30,000 years, featuring stone tools from the Paleolithic era and artifacts from ancient settlements such as Shush, Rey, and Persepolis. Among the most significant exhibits are the 'Salt Man,' a naturally mummified body found in a Zanjan salt mine, and a copy of the Babylonian Code of Hammurabi. The galleries also display intricate pottery, manuscripts, textiles, and calligraphy from the Islamic era, alongside statues and metalwork from the Elamite, Achaemenid, Parthian, and Sassanian periods, illustrating the continuity of Iranian culture.
Significance & Global Role
As a key institution for archaeological research, the museum actively collaborates with UNESCO and global partners to protect Iranian heritage and advance conservation techniques. It serves as an educational hub, hosting temporary exhibitions such as the 50 masterpieces shown during its 80th anniversary in 2018. The museum's research departments are organized by historical periods, supporting ongoing excavations and the study of the Silk Road's cultural exchanges. Its central location in Tehran makes it a vital access point for understanding the roots of human civilization and the development of Persian art and governance.
Plan your visit
National Museum of Iran
- Website
- www.nationalmuseumofiran.ir