Saed News: In this article, we take a trip to the house where Mohammad Reza Pahlavi grew up.
Saed News Report: According to the tourism service of Saad News, quoting from Faradeed, many people recognize Golestan Palace by the Mirror Hall and Shams-ol-Emareh, but one of its most personal spaces is where Mohammad Reza Shah spent his childhood: the Crown Prince’s Mansion. In this article, we thoroughly examine the history, architecture, and decor of this mansion.
Among the silent bricks and glowing mirrors of Golestan Palace, hidden stories sometimes fade from memory. One of these lesser-known tales is about the "Crown Prince's Mansion," a building within this historic complex that served as the residence and upbringing of the Crown Prince who later became the last Shah of Iran: Mohammad Reza Pahlavi.
Mohammad Reza Pahlavi was born on November 4, 1298 (October 26, 1919) in a rented house in the Qazvin Gate neighborhood of Tehran, with Mazandarani ancestry. His father was Reza Shah Pahlavi, and his mother was Taj al-Molouk Ayromlou. Three months after the coup of March 3, 1921, and the rise to power of his father, the family moved to a larger house when Mohammad Reza was two years old. He moved to this new home with his parents, two sisters, and one brother, named Shams, Ashraf (a twin of Mohammad Reza), and Alireza Pahlavi.
After his father became king, Mohammad Reza was appointed Crown Prince at the age of seven. From then on, he was transferred to a private palace in the Qajar-era Golestan Palace to begin formal royal training, where he, along with twenty handpicked classmates, attended military school. This marked the beginning of his time at Golestan Palace, where he remained until he was sent to Switzerland on September 6, 1931, for further education.
Golestan Palace is one of Iran’s oldest royal complexes, dating back to the era of Shah Tahmasp Safavi. The complex took shape during the time of Karim Khan Zand, with the construction of the Divankhaneh and some initial buildings. However, it truly flourished and expanded during the Qajar period, especially under Agha Mohammad Khan and later Fath Ali Shah. Naser al-Din Shah Qajar played a significant role in the grandeur and architectural diversity of the complex; after traveling to Europe, he was inspired by the style of Western royal palaces and built structures such as Shams-ol-Emareh.
During the Pahlavi period, although Reza Khan selected newer complexes like Saadabad and Niavaran for his and his family's residence, parts of Golestan Palace continued to serve for ceremonies, official visits, and even the royal family’s personal life. One of these sections was a small mansion on the eastern side of the Golestan complex, known as the "Crown Prince’s Mansion."
After Reza Khan ascended the throne and his son Mohammad Reza was appointed Crown Prince, a part of Golestan Palace was designated as the official residence of the young Crown Prince. This section was selected for its security, tranquility, and proximity to the royal court. The mansion was actually one of the smaller buildings in the complex, reconstructed and equipped either late in the Qajar period or early in the Pahlavi era. Mohammad Reza Pahlavi lived in this mansion from around the age of six (1924) until he was sent to the Le Rosey School in Switzerland at age 12.
During this period, Mohammad Reza was raised with French tutors, personal nurses, special educational programs, and royal training, all under the supervision of his mother, Taj al-Molouk Ayromlou. The interior of this mansion can be considered the first place where the Crown Prince began his formal education and development of his political character.
The Crown Prince’s Mansion was located on the eastern side of the Golestan complex, behind the White Palace and near areas like Shams-ol-Emareh and the Art Gallery. This position provided quick access to the important administrative and ceremonial parts of the palace for the Crown Prince and his attendants.
The building itself was two stories and relatively simple, constructed with mud brick in the exterior, wooden ceilings with exposed beams, arched windows with colored glass, and verandas with thin wooden columns. Its architecture was a blend of Qajar style with elements of order and simplicity characteristic of the early Pahlavi period.
On the ground floor, there were several rooms for limited receptions, a play area, a dining room, and quarters for servants and tutors. The upper floor included Mohammad Reza’s bedroom, his mother’s bedroom, and a small central hall for study or private meetings. A wooden staircase connected the two floors.
The windows opened to an inner courtyard, which featured a small garden with a turquoise pool, creating a peaceful and pleasant environment for the Crown Prince’s childhood.
The interior decoration of the mansion was influenced by Reza Khan’s lifestyle: simplicity, order, and practicality. In the Crown Prince's room, there was a simple wooden bed, an imported writing desk, bookshelves, and maps of the world on the walls. The floors were covered with handwoven carpets from Tabriz. The walls were decorated with floral and bird paintings, simple stucco work, and limited mirror designs.
Taj al-Molouk’s room featured more comfortable furniture and light sheer curtains. Some sections of the mansion used imported French wallpaper with plant and classical European motifs.
The chandeliers were small and simple, and most of the light came from tall windows and skylights. The Crown Prince’s study had a classic writing desk, a low heating stove, and a collection of books on stories and the history of Iran and France.
According to memories of Taj al-Molouk and some historical documents, Mohammad Reza’s daily schedule in the mansion was highly organized. He woke up at 6:30 AM, had breakfast, and then received education from his French and Iranian tutors. In the afternoons, he played in the courtyard, read, painted, and occasionally visited other parts of the palace. In the evenings, storytelling or reading a story was part of his routine.
His upbringing was highly conservative, yet intertwined with a kind of luxury under the shadow of an autocratic king. This environment laid the foundation for the complex and royalist character of Mohammad Reza Shah in the years to come.
Famous painting of Naser al-Din Shah and Golestan Palace by Kamal-ol-Molk, which took five years to complete.
