The Glorious Ahmad Shahi Pavilion in Niyavaran Palace.

The juxtaposition of modern and classical attractions, such as the Museum of Contemporary Art and the magnificent palaces is among the main reasons that travelers cannot resist visiting Tehran, the capital of Iran. One of those classical sightseeing is Niavaran Palace, last Pahlavi Shah’s and Empress' resident. The cultural and historical complex of Niavaran is located in a charming garden in an eleven hectare area, with three main handsome monuments (Niavaran palace, Sahebqaraniye Palace and Glorious Ahmad Shahi Pavilion) which was built in the closing days of the Qajar period.

Ahmad Shahi Pavilion, is a two-storied building, consisting of a hall with a marble pond at the center surrounded by rooms and corridors at the ground floor and a central hall with a four sided porch at the second floor. Also, the well-formed wooden shelves of the second floor, have been installed all around the main walls to miraculously echo the sounds of noble music instruments played by Iranian talented musicians.  Ahmad Shahi pavilion after a restoration and interior additions was utilized as the residence and office of Reza Pahlavi. The palace’s walls were also renovated during the Cultural Heritage Week in the year 2000.

Ahmad Shahi Pavilion, Niavaran Palace.Tehran,Iran

Nomads of colors.

Qashqais are Turk nomads, living in Fars province of Iran especially in Firuzabad. Animal husbandry is the main job of Qashqai nomads and they migrate between summer quarters (yeylaq) and winter quarters (qishlaq) to find better pastures for their herd, every year as the seasons change. During the cold season, they set up their tents in southern areas of Fars, like Jahrom, Lar and Firuzabad, while in summer they travel to northern cities of Fars, like Abadeh, Sepidan and Zagros Mountains.

The black handmade tents of Qashqai nomads are made of goat hair and they are propped with timbers and woolen strings. These tents are embellished with stunning pieces of carpets like colorful kilims, small pieces of rugs and Gabbeh. The eye-catching margins and the fine wool, dyed with herbs, like madder and mignonette are the reasons that these stunning and high-quality carpets are inscribed as an intangible world heritage by the UNESCO.

A Qahqai tent on the pasture.