Isfahan Historical Houses, Pieces Left over from the Past

Martha Peters House

Martha Peters’ house is one of the old and beautiful houses of Isfahan located in the historical neighborhood of Jolfa in this town. The origin of this house goes back to the Safavid era. As it was built during the reign of Shah Abbas Safavid.

Martha Peters’ house which is also known by the name of Jaee’s house (father of Martha Peters) has gained its name from its last owner, i.e. Martha Peters.

Martha Peters’ house was registered in the list of Iran’s historical relics in 1974 by Ancient Relics Preservation Organization with the registration number of 990. In 1978 it was allocated to Farabi Art University and it was seriously renovated and rebuilt since then, and now it is the central building of the university.

House of Colonel Bekhradi

Colonel Bekhradi’s house is from Qajar dynasty and it is located in Isfahan, Chehar Baq Paeen Street, Masjed Aqa Khademi alley. This relic was registered in December 26th, 1996 with the registration number of 1819 as one of Iran’s national relics.

It is noteworthy that currently three houses are known with the name of “Bekhradi’s house” in Isfahan, which the first one is located in Ibn-e Sina Street in Sonbolestan neighborhood, and it was renovated by its last owner, Engr. Morteza Bekhradi and it is now used as a traditional inn for foreigner tourists. The second one is located in Sabzeh Meydan  and it is being renovated by Engr. Bekhradi, and the third one is the same house mentioned above, located in Chehar Baq Street, and Bahrainis alley and Colonel Bekhradi was its last owner.

Sheykh ol-Eslam’s House, Isfahan

Sheykh ol-Eslam’s House is a memorandum from Safavi and Qajar eras and has become one of the most elegant historical monuments in Isfahan. Primary construction of the building was done in Safavid era and it was a gift by Shah Abbas to his daughter, “Sarv Ghad Khanoum” and his son-in-law, “Mohaghegh Sabzevari”, one of the great scholars of Safavid era. There used to be religious ceremonies such as mourning for Imam Hossein’s martyrdom in the mosque owned by Sheykh ol-Eslam Isfahan. This house is now under repair by Cultural Heritage, Handcrafts and Tourism Organization of Isfahan and is dedicated to traditional art workshops such as pottery, gold weaving and Chinese knot.

Nilforoushan House

The house of Mohammad Bagher Nilforoushan is related to Qajar era and is located in Dardasht Neighborhood in Isfahan. This building was registered in the list of Iran’s national monuments on 29th of Shahrivar 1353 with registration number 1001.

Sheikh Bahai House

Third of Ordibehesht is registered in calendars in the name of Sheikh Bahai, the scientist whose skills in architecture can be seen in all the monuments remained from Safavid era and now his most vivid memorandum is his house in Isfahan and close to Jameh Mosque of the city which dates back to Seljuk period.

Sheikh Bahai House was owned by Shah Abbas’s aunt (Maryam Sultan Beigom) which was later on yielded to Sheikh Bahai by Shah Abbas. The history of this house is also in the book on Shah Abbas’s life compiled by Dr. Nasrollah Falsafi.Sheikh House was registered in the list of Iran’s national monuments in 1357 and is now known as the most elegant historical house in Asia and Oceania by Cultural Heritage Organization. This house has been an example for the other historical houses in Isfahan and its current residents, Jalali’s are considered the best guardians of cultural heritage.

 Malek Vineyard

The Malek vineyard is a historical house in Isfahan, Iran which has been taken as tax from the people in the era of Nader Shah and was for a long time a part of assets of a rich man in the city. During the reign of Naser al-Din Shah Qajar it was confiscated by the king. Naser al-Din Shah’s successors declared it as a public asset and a part of national treasury. In the Mohammad Ali Shah‘s era, a Hussainiya was built in the garden and its administration was handed over to an Isfahanian businessman called Malekot-Tojar. Parts of the vineyard and its building have been destroyed during the expansion and development of the city. The remaining parts include a central yard and a dining room. Presently Malek vineyard is used as Hussainia and a permit is needed for visiting.

Alam’s House

The Alam’s house is a historical house in Isfahan, Iran. The owner of the house was one of the Qajar aristocrats. The house has a yard, which is surrounded from every side by residential parts. The northern part is distinguished by a columned veranda and has a reception hall. There are two rooms on the two sides of the reception hall. In this hall, there are stucco and decorations with cut mirrors. The hall faces to veranda by seven sash windows and leads to the rooms by Khatamkari doors. The southern part of the house is a narrow and long dining room, which has painted windows. Eastern and western parts have identical plans. Both of them have reception halls, which lead to the smaller rooms. All parts of the house have been decorated by brickwork, tiles, stucco and gilding. The limpid water in the stone Howz (pool) in the middle of the yard reflects the beauty of the house.