Monajjem Bashi House, the Symbol of Langarud

One of the historical and architectural attractions of Langarud city, is the house of Monajjem Bashi that had been the residential house of Monajjem Bashi family. This house is located next to Sabze Meydan and Langarud department of electricity, in Fashkali district.

Langarud is one of the eastern cities of Gilan located between Lahijan and Chamkhaleh coast. It is 14 kilometers from Langarud to Chamkhaleh and if you want to reach the eye-catching coast of Chamkhale, you need to go 13 kilometers further.

By coming to power of Agha Mohammad Khan Qajar, the astronomers and those who knew the story and fictions of stars and had been best-known as Monajjem, became more famous and gradually they became known as Monajjem Bashi.

One of these families who lived in Langarud had a house that they had been lived there for a long time. A building that had been built by Haj Agha Monajjem Bashi, was burnt before the reign of Fathlali Shah. His son, Abd ol-Qadir Monajjem Bashi, rebuilt the building in the same place; he was the son-in-law of Fathali Shah.

Another part of this mansion was built by Mirza Mahdi Khan Monajjem Bashi and other members of this family extended it later. The family of Monajjem Bashi retained their reputation during Qajar period. Mirza Musa Monajjem Bashi was the Great Monajjem Bashi’s grandson and the ruler of Gilan.

The house has retained and showed appropriately the style of Langarud and Gilan architecture. The house of Monajjem Bashi in Langarud is two-story including internal house, an external house, stable and bath. Formerly, there was also a mosque inside the house. The entrance of the house has a plain façade with stucco decorations that attract the passengers’ attention. There are the old trees in the yard that are still green and fresh.  

The external house that is the same summer house is along the main street and the current Sabzeh Meydan. The staircase is placed between the entrance and Hashti.

In the first floor, there are guest hall, four rooms, two porch-room and service spaces. The second floor includes three rooms, alcove, two porches, room and service spaces. Both of them have Ivan.

The art of Qajar stucco is apparent in the house. Columns, capitals, the frame between door and windows, are all artistically decorated in stucco works. The great part of the ceiling is made of wood and pottery.

Windows have colorful glasses that are the reminder of the architecture style of the past. Some utensils are still seen in the house such as furniture, table, the old picture frame, carpet, chair and vase. The mansion of Monajjem Bashi was inscribed in 1379 SH on the index of Iran National Heritages.