TEHRAN – On Saturday, Iran celebrated the opening of three new museums dedicated to the history of automobiles, traditional textiles and hunting culture.
The inauguration ceremony was held simultaneously in three cities across the country, with events connected through video conferencing by the Mostazafan Foundation.
At the televised address, Hossein Dehghan, who hosts the foundation, emphasized his commitment to maintaining and displaying Iran’s historic artefacts.
He said these museums serve as valuable research centres for academics and also enrich the public appreciation of Iran’s cultural heritage.
“They mark an important step in expanding Iran’s cultural and historic tourist landscape and strengthening the country’s dedication to maintain and showcase the rich heritage to both local and international visitors,” Dehan emphasized.
Local officials and cultural heritage enthusiasts participated in the ceremony at each venue. This includes Phase 2 of Tehran’s Historic Automobile Museum, the Tar Opdo Museum in Yazd, and the Hunting Museum in Ramsar, northern Iran.
The renowned foundation of the oppressed Boñad e Mostazafan is tasked with providing a wide range of services, primarily of a social nature, to millions of Iranians. It is important to note that for the Islamic Republic, the category of “mostazafan” is fundamental in understanding how the world is perceived from an Islamist standpoint. The world is seen as a conflict between the oppressed (mosta phantom) and the oppressed (mostakberan).
Phase 2 of Tehran’s historic car museum
The expansion of Tehran’s historic automobile museum was characterized by the announcement of 70 rare and invisible vehicles from Iran’s automotive history.
Among the outstanding exhibits are a variety of armored Mercedes-Benz models. The Rolls-Royce Phantom 6 and Phantom 1 (the latter is now considered the oldest car in Iran, but it also features the OldsMobil Furamic 98 Gia and the very rare Fiat Shellet.
The new collection also features new displays of recreational vehicles, including jet skis, electric golf carts and four snowmobiles. The second phase of the museum’s development offers a broader perspective on the heritage of Iranian automobiles, attracting enthusiasts and researchers alike.
Tehran’s historic car museum already showcases many car gems, including five historic horse-drawn carriages and tanks. Among the highlights is the carriage that once belonged to Naereddin Shah (aka Nasereddin Shah), a heart-pounding relic of a bygone era immersed in Iranian history. Another notable inclusion is the ritual carriage that dates back to the Pahlavi era.
One of the museum’s precious possessions is a gold-plated limousine, an embodiment of luxury and richness that captures the imagination of visitors around the world. In addition to its charm, there is the only Panther laser car in the world. This is an unparalleled masterpiece of engineering and design.
Tar-o-Pud Museum, homage to textile heritage
Dedicated to the rich history of Iranian textiles, the Tar-O-Pud Museum was officially launched in the abandoned Yanob spinning and weaving factory, a landmark 70 years ago in Yazd.
The museum features a vast collection of carpets, fabrics and textiles, some dating back to the millennium. Among its highlights are rare fabrics from the Baiid dynasty to the late Kajal period, exquisite carpets from the Kajal period, and traditional hand-crafts from the deserts of Iran and the central region. The restored Qajar Royal Tent is also prominently distinctive in the museum’s exhibits, giving visitors a glimpse into the richness of Iran’s past.
Built in the early 1950s by renowned merchant and member of Iranian parliament, Reza Sarravzadeh, the factory was one of the most important textile production centres in the region. At its peak, it employs 700 workers and produces 900 fabrics each year. The unique shape of the factory, inspired by Yazd’s slang architecture, is evidence of the region’s rich cultural heritage.
The museum will offer an immersive experience with recreated traditional weaving workshops and fully functional carpeted looms. Visitors can interact with the artisan and even participate in the weaving process. Some of the looms, reconstructed using 180-year-old designs, revive forgotten weaving techniques, including those used to create rare textiles.
Ramsar Museum, centuries of weapons and stuffing
The newly launched Hunting Museum in Ramsar, Mazandaran offers an incredible collection of 53 historical artifacts, from the first millennium BC to the modern era.
The museum divides the exhibits into three sections: stuffed, firearms and bladed weapons. Visitors can explore a wide range of hunting equipment, including an array of firearms from various historical periods, including antique bronze statues, traditional daggers, spears, and bayonets.
The museum serves as an important cultural reservoir, preserving and displaying the evolution of Iran’s diverse hunting traditions and weapons over the centuries.
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