Niavaran Tekyeh

From palaces and mansions to religious buildings, Tehran is full of historical monuments from Qajar and Pahlavi dynasties. Built during the Qajar dynasty, Tekyeh Niavaran is one of the religious buildings of Tehran and is known to be the oldest Tekyeh of Tehran, a building that still remains strong after more than one hundred and fifty years.

The structure of this Tekyeh traces back to the rule of Naser al-Din Qajar. It has gone under so many changes during all these years. According to the historical stories, The Qajar king was very fond of Niavaran and spent most of his summer there. When the Moharram Days coincided with summer, he ordered for a Tekyeh to be built in Niavaran. Master Hasan Kharpakub was in charge of building it.

Tekyeh Niavaran was repaired during the years of Pahlavi. Its roof was repaired in 1361 SH. But the main body of the building has been protected. Today, the façade of the building does not show its age. But the moment you step inside, it is as if you have traveled back into history. Tekyeh spreads over an area of one thousand and five hundred square meters. Most part of the building has been kept as it was in the past. However, the middle space of this Tekyeh was originally not roofed and was covered by tents during the ceremonies. About fifty years ago and with the financial support of some of the people, Master Hasan Bokhara covered this part with attic structure.

Ta’zieh ceremonies have been held in Tekyeh Niavaran for many years, and still is going on during the days of Moharram and final days of Safar. Different Islamic clerics have long attended these ceremonies and have spoken from its pulpit. They include Molla Abutorab, Haj Agha Dinparvar, Haj Agha Darbandari, Sheikh Hadi Nouri, Haj Agha Mostafavi. Morshed Akbar and Haj Asadollah Khayeri were two of the well-known madahs of the Tekyeh.

There is a museum in Tekyeh Niavaran where some of the antiquities of ta’zieh, samovars, and teapots are kept. The repaired shrine of Imam Hosein has been recently added to the middle space.