Azadi Tower (originally Shahyad) is Tehran’s signature monument: a modern concrete-and-tile landmark combining Achaemenid, Sassanid and Islamic motifs. Built between 1969–1971 by Hossein Amanat as a 2,500-year anniversary memorial, the complex now houses galleries, museums.
Azadi Square is one of Tehran’s sights, the city’s largest square and a registered national monument; before the revolution it was called Shahyad Square.
Visiting time: 3–4 hours
Location: Iran, Tehran Province, Tehran, Azadi Square
Azadi Tower was Tehran’s first symbolic tower — built long before Milad Tower — and many still see it as the capital’s main emblem. This beautiful monument, a highlight of contemporary Iranian architecture, was designed by Hossein Amanat and constructed between 1969 and 1971 to commemorate the 2,500-year celebration of the Persian monarchy. The tower fuses Achaemenid, Sassanid and Islamic architecture: its oval arch evokes the Sassanid Taq Kasra, turquoise tilework nods to Safavid ornament, and the vertical grooves above recall Yazd wind-catchers — all combined with modern concrete structure for striking effect.
Azadi Tower was built to commemorate the 2,500-year celebrations of the monarchy and was originally named Shahyad Aryamehr Tower; after the 1979 revolution it was renamed Azadi (Freedom) Tower. Its striking architecture made it one of Tehran’s most important sights. In 1974 the tower was listed as a national monument of Iran. From 1973–1978 the tower’s image was even printed on Iran’s 200-rial banknotes. The space under the tower contains galleries, an exhibition hall, an Iranology hall, a museum and a library. Because of the number of halls and museums in the basement, the area was intentionally designed as an exhibition complex.
Address: Tehran — Azadi Square, Azadi Tower (see map)
Visiting hours: Daily from 09:00 to 16:00. Closed Saturdays and on days of mourning.
Entrance fee: Depending on access, tickets are 10,000 / 20,000 / 25,000 IRR (for full access pay 25,000).
Phone: +98 21 66023951–4
Website: azadi-tower.com
Azadi Tower sits near one of Tehran’s major entry/exit points and handles many intra-city and intercity trips. The northwest quadrant of the square contains the bus and intercity terminal, taxi and minibus stations. The northeast hosts offices, kiosks and ticket desks; to the southeast lies Al-Mahdi Park; to the southwest is the National Cartographic Organization and the approach to Mehrabad Airport.
Bus: Lines and intercity buses serve Azadi Terminal from most points in Tehran and nearby cities (Karaj, Robat Karim, Eslamshahr). BRT lines from Azadi terminal serve Tehranpars, Khavaran Terminal and the University of Science & Technology, easing access to the square.
Metro: Use Metro Line 4 (Aram Sabz – Shahed Kolahdooz line) and disembark at Azadi Square station.
Car: Depending on your start point, arrive via Ayatollah Saeedi Highway (south), Mohammad-Ali Jenah Highway (north), Lashgari Highway (special road) or Azadi Street (east).
From 1960s onward the Pahlavi government decided to build a monumental gateway at western Tehran (near Mehrabad junction). Initially a triumphal arch (Taq-e-Nasrat) was considered but deemed insufficiently grand. In September 1966 (Shahrivar 1345) a national call for architects produced Hossein Amanat’s winning design — then a 24-year-old University of Tehran student. The project aimed to create a modern national symbol that also referenced Iran’s deep cultural past.
Construction started 2 November 1969 (11 Aban 1348) and took 28 months. The tower opened 16 October 1971 (24 Mehr 1350) with some 3,000 domestic and foreign guests. On the opening day the Cyrus Cylinder (the historic Cyrus Charter) was displayed, linking the ancient heritage to contemporary Iran. The tower, mixing pre- and post-Islamic arch forms, quickly became a city emblem.
After opening, the cultural ministry managed the site; post-revolution its oversight transferred to the Ministry of Culture and then to the Rudaki Foundation. The cultural complex evolved over time — a decision in 1974 built an underground museum 15 metres below the plaza designed by Amanat, creating an advanced audiovisual museum. Since the revolution the square has also been used for mass gatherings and commemorations. In recent years (since ~2013) the tower has faced concerning levels of deterioration.
Azadi Square and Tower feature unique design elements drawn from Persian architectural motifs such as wind-catchers, Persian gardens, four-iwan layout, muqarnas and tilework. The oval plaza covers roughly 50,000 m²; the tower stands along an east–west axis in the eastern third. Amanat intended the building to express Iran’s glorious past so visitors immediately feel the culture’s depth.
The tower measures approximately 45 metres in height and 63 metres in length (note: text gives both 63 m length and 45 m height). It has four levels, two staircases of 286 steps total, and two elevators. Construction used 25,000 pieces of Joishqan marble (Isfahan) and 900 tons of steel. Main doors are granite from Hamedan; ground floor and other stones were quarried from Marvarid (Kurdistan). The tower’s primary geometry evolves from a square-rectangle to a 16-sided form that culminates in an interior dome.
The tower’s visible body is two pairs of large arches that intersect to form a large white structure divided by turquoise grooves. The monument has four façades, arranged in opposing symmetry. Decorative muqarnas and ornamentation adorn the center of the main arch. The vertical base lines echo Achaemenid styles; the central arch evokes the Sassanid Taq Kasra and the upper broken arch reflects post-Islamic architecture. The plaza’s fountains and pools reference Persian gardens; the formal junctions between arches evoke mosque domes. Muqarnas patterns and tilework draw on Islamic traditions.
Amanat also considered the tower’s proximity to Mehrabad Airport: because the site couldn’t exceed 45 metres, he used a gentle slope across the square so visitors approaching from the airport would feel they were ascending toward the tower.
The interior contains two upper floors (above the main arch and below the dome) accessible by elevator; beneath the tower four subterranean floors extend into the ground. The complex is designed not only as an urban symbol but also as a working cultural center with galleries, library, multi-purpose halls and more.
Azadi Tower has four main levels, each with distinct functions. Below is a quick guide.
The cultural-artistic complex entrance sits five metres below ground in an open courtyard leading to the basement. From there visitors reach north entrance (guard, ticket booth), south entrance and reception hall, and east entrance to the Iranology Hall. Historically the tower had heavy stone doors (each weighing 3.5 tons); today glass doors are used.
Basement contains:
Iranology Hall (Hall of Iran Studies)
Reception/ceremonial hall
Passage of Ancestors
Mirror Hall
Ethnic (Peoples) Gallery
Boostan (Park) Gallery — main gallery
Library
Technology corridor
Ancient Hall (main museum)
Multi-vision Hall
Small cinema
The Iranology Hall introduces visitors to Iran’s regional climates, cultures and economies. The hall (1,122 m²) features a model of Iran with a U-shaped moving walkway; in 15–20 minutes visitors traverse a miniature Iran and see large screens showing cultural and handicraft footage. North of the model is a fountain representing the Caspian Sea; south is a pool symbolizing the Persian Gulf and part of the Oman Sea. Visitors riding the walkway encounter four large projection screens that present films about Iran’s cultural heritage and crafts.
The reception hall served official hospitality functions for guests of the tower. It features Iranian decorative motifs on concrete and an ornate ceiling.
Following Iranology Hall, this corridor has display cases for rotating historical objects and artists’ works; the stone doors and lighting create a sense of ancient Iranian architectural corridors and vaults.
A concrete hall with display booths and controlled lighting. The Mirror Hall has 12 booths on both sides featuring volumetric designs and thematic displays (urban planning, wildlife, oil industry, environment, sport). Mirrors make the booths seem larger, hence the name; the space hosts major exhibitions, regional crafts displays and workshops. The Mirror Hall connects north to the Ethnic Gallery, east to the library and south to administrative areas.
A semi-circular corridor with eight showcases presenting ethnographic objects and handicrafts of Iranian peoples. Passing through leads to the Knowledge Base and exhibition halls.
The main gallery adjacent to the library; a spacious, naturally lit exhibition hall used for fine arts shows and educational workshops.
About 200 m² with c.11,000 volumes including 2,000 reference works in Persian, English and French on architecture, linguistics, history and literature. Members may access periodicals and current publications.
This area showcases modern attractions: an intelligent visual system, a robot pianist, an interactive knowledge base and a responsive robot. The robot pianist (built by Iranian engineers) plays using pneumatic systems and programmed sequences. The interactive robot (child-face) answers questions about the tower’s history and architecture.
The Knowledge Base includes two mirrored circular halls whose ceilings combine traditional and modern motifs. 28 computer displays provide a timeline of Iranian civilization from its origins to the present.
Located directly under the tower, the Ancient Hall is the principal museum with display cases for historical and artistic objects. After certain items were temporarily removed in the early revolution years, exhibition curators later organized different thematic displays (for example Qajar women’s jewelry from the Sa’dabad Palace collection). Two elevators and two staircases to the tower are located in this hall. A small museum shop on the west side sells handicrafts and related media.
The Multi-Vision Hall sits 15 metres under the plaza and features advanced lighting, sound and projection technology for conferences, concerts and theater. Equipped with laser systems and presentation gear, it serves up to 300 people on 18 tiers and hosts multi-vision shows, laser presentations and more. Under the seating are images of historical artifacts from pre- and post-Islamic eras; ceiling artwork includes an image of Anzali Wetland and three screens that show films about the revolution.
Built in 2009 (1388) by the Rudaki Foundation, the simulation cinema has 51 seats equipped with motion effects that immerse viewers into virtual environments. It sits near the Iranology Hall east entrance.
Azadi Tower has two elevators running up the tower walls; each serves two floors. Elevator #1 reaches up to the second floor, elevator #2 serves the two upper floors.
The first elevated floor sits 23 m above ground and primarily functions as an elevator transfer level; it has little for visitors to view. Two slanted concrete walls with small blue windows (visible from under the main arch) are part of this level. The main and east/west arches enclose this floor and behind the slanted walls the peacock tilework of the tower is visible.
At 33 m above Azadi Square the second floor features a reinforced white concrete dome with a sunburst design that helps light floors one and two. For the first time in Iran white reinforced concrete was used for interior walls and ceilings here. The second floor showcases the tower’s interior architecture, where traditional and modern elements meet — the ceiling especially evokes the Sheikh Lotfollah Mosque in Isfahan. Historical photos are displayed here.
The third floor sits at 39.5 m and is notable for vertical rectangular slits inspired by Iranian wind-catchers. Honeycomb windows offer broad views over the capital and recall lookout positions of old fortresses. Above this sits the rooftop dome, starting at the third floor and reaching 46.25 m high; the dome is decorated with turquoise tilework reminiscent of tomb and shrine architecture.
Azadi Square covers about 50,000 m² and — after Naqsh-e Jahan Square — ranks among Iran’s largest public squares. The square was designed and built concurrently with the tower. Its plan references Sheikh Lotfollah Mosque’s ceiling with two ellipses whose foci differ. Azadi Square’s layout, walkways and lawns create memorable photo opportunities; at night the square is one of Tehran’s notable sights.
For those who cannot visit Tehran (or prefer to avoid crowds during times such as the COVID pandemic), a virtual tour of Azadi Tower is available so people can appreciate a portion of its grandeur and architecture remotely.
Chitgar Lake (Lake of the Martyrs of the Persian Gulf): Iran’s largest artificial lake, about 20 km from Azadi Tower. It offers picnics, cycling, seasonal amusements, shopping and year-round walking opportunities.
Eram Amusement Park: ~10 km from Azadi Tower; with 70+ rides it’s a classic Tehran leisure spot offering open and covered attractions — a good option for families.
