Isfahan is one of Iran’s historic cities. In this beautiful city, numerous museums have been established for enthusiasts to visit, allowing tourists to become familiar with the culture and history of the region. Join us to learn more about the museums of Isfahan.
Vank Church Museum of Isfahan
The Vank Church, also known as “Amenaprkich,” is one of the most famous landmarks in Isfahan and holds significant importance among the Armenian community of the city. With its simple yet beautiful architecture, stucco paintings, gilding and miniatures, busts of notable Armenians, and its origins dating back to the reign of Shah Abbas of the Safavid era, it stands as a unique historical monument—one that captivates visitors for hours. Globally recognized, this church is one of the 13 surviving churches in Isfahan's Jolfa district from the 17th century.
The Vank Church Museum was established in the northern courtyard of the church in 1905 by Tadeos Honanian and served as both a museum and library until 1930. Initially consisting of a few simple rooms, the museum now houses over 800 historical and antique objects from the 16th to the 20th century, many of which were previously stored in an abandoned church warehouse.
Vank Church Museum Address: Isfahan, Jolfa district, East Nazar Street, Vank Church Alley
Chehel Sotoun Museum of Isfahan
Chehel Sotoun Palace is a royal garden from the Safavid period, also known as Chehel Sotoun Garden Museum. It was part of a vast garden named “Jahan Nama,” within which Shah Abbas I built the core pavilion of the palace for hosting court guests during events and celebrations. During Shah Abbas II’s reign, the palace expanded with the addition of various halls and porticos like the Hall of Mirrors, the Hall of 18 Columns, large northern and southern rooms, and a central pool. Its decorated walls and ceilings feature paintings, mirror work, and tilework.
Chehel Sotoun is among the most magnificent historical buildings in Isfahan and is the second-oldest museum in Iran after Golestan Palace. The palace area is 2,120 m², with its building raised one meter above the garden level. The main porch stands on 20 pillars, whose reflection in the pool makes it appear to have 40 columns—hence the name “Chehel Sotoun” (Forty Columns). The architecture blends Chinese, Persian, and European styles.
Chehel Sotoun Museum Address: Isfahan, Imam Hossein Square, Ostandari Street, east of Chaharbagh-e Paeen St., south of Sepah Street, west of Naqsh-e Jahan Square
Isfahan Music Museum
Opened in December 2015 in Isfahan’s old Jolfa district, the Music Museum is one of Iran’s top private museums, attracting many local and foreign visitors. The museum showcases around 300 national, regional, and international instruments. It includes halls for national and local instruments, the Sarā-ye Sarahangān (Composers’ Hall), a music lounge, a photography studio, and an instrument-making workshop. It’s often described as a “love letter to Iran’s rich musical heritage.”
The museum has won two awards, including one from the International Council of Museums (ICOM) as Iran’s best private museum. Among the instruments on display are qanun, gheychak, harp, tar, rubab, oud, ney, daf, setar, kamancheh, tonbak, and santur. Additional features include a music-themed gift shop, café, knowledgeable guides, and audio-visual presentations of instrument performances.
Music Museum Address: Isfahan, Middle Towhid St., Shahid Ghani (Mehrdad) St., No. 74
Rakibkhaneh Museum of Isfahan
The Decorative Arts Museum, housed in the Rakibkhaneh Mansion, showcases a wide range of artistic works, especially from the Safavid and Qajar periods, with over 3,000 historical objects. The museum also includes a specialized library and holds temporary exhibitions on Islamic arts such as calligraphy and coffeehouse painting.
Originally built in the early 17th century during Shah Abbas I’s reign as part of the royal stables, the mansion spans about 2,600 m². Its green courtyard, beautiful trees, halls, and rooms enhance the charm of the visit. The museum, opened in 1996, spans 1,200 m² and features traditional crafts, metalwork, glass artifacts, woodwork, lacquer paintings, manuscripts, and textiles from various historical periods.
Rakibkhaneh Museum Address: Isfahan, Imam Hossein Square, Ostandari St., opposite Pardis University
Ali Qoli Agha Bathhouse Museum
This museum is housed in a bathhouse built during the Safavid era by Ali Qoli Agha, a courtier under Shah Suleiman and Shah Sultan Hussein. The 1,200 m² complex in Bidabad district comprises a large and small bath and a “Chal Hozeh” (water reservoir).
Upon entering, you’ll see a dome supported by eight stone pillars. The ceiling features traditional plasterwork with skylights designed to create a dramatic light-and-shadow effect. The building was restored and reopened in 2004 as the Museum of Anthropology.
Ali Qoli Agha Bathhouse Museum Address: Isfahan, Masjed Seyed Street, opposite Tayeb Street, Ayatollah Bidabadi St.
Constitution House of Isfahan
The Constitution House is one of the most popular museums in Isfahan. Originally owned by Mohammad Taqi Razi, it features images and artifacts from Iran’s constitutional movement. The house includes northern and southern halls, inner and outer courtyards, and 12 rooms.
Its age, plasterwork, murals, and other decorations attract those interested in art, architecture, modern history, and political science. It was once a gathering place for constitutionalists, scholars, intellectuals, and political activists.
Constitution House Address: Isfahan, Neshat Street, 14th Alley
Butterfly Garden Museum of Isfahan
Located in the Najvan Forest Park, the Butterfly Garden features over 2,200 taxidermied butterflies displayed in 48 cases. It also showcases over 100 rare and diverse plant species such as cycads, paradise trees, begonias, ficuses, and ponytail palms. Spanning 2,000 m², this museum offers visitors both natural beauty and educational experiences.
Butterfly Garden Museum Address: Isfahan, Shahid Habibollahi Highway, Sohrevardi Square, Elfat Street, Najvan Forest Park
Shell Museum of Isfahan
Located within the Najvan Forest Park, this 300 m² museum is Iran’s first specialized museum of marine mollusks and shells. It features over 2,000 marine species from the Persian Gulf, Oman Sea, Caspian Sea, and around the world, collected over 25 years.
The Shell Museum is a must-visit for those fascinated by sea creatures.
Shell Museum Address: Isfahan, Shahid Habibollahi Highway, Sohrevardi Square, Elfat Street, Najvan Forest Park
Natural History Museum of Isfahan
Founded in 1988, this museum aims to raise public awareness of wildlife, protect the country’s natural heritage, and promote scientific research. It includes large models of dinosaurs and other animals at its entrance.
Established by Dr. Jafarian, a university professor, it features exhibits on botany, zoology, geology, natural geography, and more—collected over 37 years from across Iran and the world.
Natural History Museum Address: Isfahan, Ostandari Street, intersection of Sepah and Ostandari Streets
Museum of Contemporary Art of Isfahan
Located near the Museum of Decorative Arts in the Chehel Sotoun complex, this museum occupies the historical Jebeh Khaneh Mansion, once part of the Safavid court. The building, later restored during the Qajar era, reflects Qajar architecture.
Opened in 1995, it spans 3,000 m² with an 1,800 m² structure, featuring six exhibition halls, a library, offices, and an auditorium. It hosts national and international art exhibitions, lectures, and research programs in various fields of contemporary art.
Museum of Contemporary Art Address: Isfahan, Imam Hossein Square, Ostandari Street
Shahi Oil Press Museum of Isfahan
One of the few remaining oil presses in Iran, the Shahi Asar Khaneh was built in 1612 by order of Shah Abbas I alongside the Qeysarie Bazaar and Mulla Abdullah School.
Renovated in 2000, the site was reopened as a museum and has since become a cultural center for the study of popular traditions and oral history projects. Covering 380 m² today (down from 1,800 m²), it features spaces like the reception, storage, camel stable, warm room, and press room.
Visitors can see lifelike statues demonstrating oil pressing, including a statue of a working camel. In 2017, it received the ICOM award as Iran’s top small museum.
Shahi Oil Press Museum Address: Isfahan, Naqsh-e Jahan Square, Attar Bazaar, entrance of Makhles Courtyard
Water Museum of Isfahan
Water is vital in desert regions like Isfahan. The Water Museum highlights the importance of this resource and features items like pulleys, clay pots, water rights documents, qanat calculation tablets, excavation tools, and ancient water measuring instruments.
This 60 m² museum contains several display cases with antique water-related items, as well as models and paintings illustrating the role of water in regional history and architecture.
Water Museum Address: Isfahan, Moshtagh II Street, opposite Ostandari, Water Organization Sports Complex
Takht-e Foulad Museums of Isfahan
Takht-e Foulad (also known as Lesan al-Arz or Baba Rokn al-Din) is a historic cemetery in Isfahan, dating back to the 10th century. Some evidence even suggests pre-Islamic origins.
Spanning 750,000 m², this cemetery lies on the southern bank of the Zayandeh Rud River and contains the tombs and memorials of many prominent figures, including Baba Rokn al-Din, Mir Fendereski, and others.
Previously home to mosques, caravanserais, and public baths—all now lost—Takht-e Foulad is considered a treasure trove of history.
