SAEDNEWS: The historical Time Museum of Tehran is the first Iranian time museum that takes you on a journey through past times.
Nestled in the tranquil Zafaraniyeh neighborhood of northern Tehran, the Time Museum offers a fascinating journey through the history of timekeeping. Housed in the historic Hossein Khodadad House, the museum features a remarkable collection of time-measuring instruments, from ancient sundials to intricate mechanical clocks.
The museum is located in a magnificent mansion on Zafaraniyeh Street, built during the era of Mohammad Shah and Naser al-Din Shah Qajar. Known also as the Hossein Khodadad House, Clock Museum, or Time Museum, the property sits on five hectares, with a 700-square-meter building. Originally a single-story mansion, it now has two floors and was purchased in 1963 by Hossein Khodadad, a craftsman and entrepreneur.
What to See
The museum’s collection is divided into sections, including wall and standing clocks, mechanical watches, pocket and wristwatches, and various time-measuring instruments. Visitors begin their historical journey in the museum garden, which displays sundials, oil clocks, rope clocks, dragon boats, and water clocks.
Inside, the first-floor lounge exhibits clocks from the 17th to the 20th centuries, including pendulum, desktop, wall, and standing clocks. Many pieces are intricately decorated, reflecting the importance of artistry in clockmaking. Some were gifts to political figures, while others were personal items, collected from Iran and countries such as England, France, Switzerland, and Germany.
A notable highlight is a 5th-century French bronze clock with a gold cover, adorned with a figure of Homer in the Louis XVI style. Beyond the clocks, the museum’s ceiling designs are so stunning they can make visitors lose track of time.
Esfahani Room
Hossein Khodadad’s passion for Iranian art is evident in the Esfahani Room, designed to stand out from the rest of the mansion. Its plasterwork features deep, ornamental shapes inspired by the music room of Isfahan’s Ali Qapu Palace and other Safavid monuments. The ceiling mirrors the intricate design of Isfahan carpets, enhanced with detailed brickwork.
Celebrity Watches
Another fascinating section showcases watches donated by famous Iranian figures, including Jamshid Mashayekhi, Mohammad Ali Keshavarz, Ehteram Boroumand, Davood Rashidi, Aminollah Rashidi, Mostafa Rahmandoust, Dr. Hassabi, Dr. Parviz Kordvani, Shahid Avini, and Shahid Mehdi Bakeri.
Visitor Information
Address: Parzin Baghdadi Crossroads, Shahid Fallahi (Zafaraniyeh) Street, Valiasr Avenue, Tehran, Iran
