Tabatabaei House

Artistic ornamentation with plaster, colored glasses, proper design not only in planning, but also coordinated with Islamic architectural features has made Tabatabaei house as the bride of houses in Iran, located in Kashan, Isfahan province.  

Tabatabaei house is an old historical house which was built for a carpet merchant with an area about 4700 square meters. You will see a marvelous historical monument which contains the aesthetic values of Islamic Architecture and designed according to climatic features.

• Architecture

  The architectural style of this old house contains different features as follows:
   
  • Sunken courtyard
    In this way, try to create a home in a hollow situation on a floor below the ground. This style is useful for thermal insulation, water supply, and natural ventilation and help you feel comfort temperature during summer and winter. Also, the building will be protected in the face of the earthquake.
     
  • Introverted architecture
    This kind of architectural style used in the hot and dry zone, related to the people lifestyle. Due to this style, the outdoor design of the house doesn’t draw attention and shows the modesty of its owner.
     
  • Intimate design
    There is no intuitive communication between outdoor and indoor part of the house. In fact inside of the house is separated from the urban zone. In this method, all windows are opened to the courtyards and roofed Iwan that created an intimate atmosphere.

• Tabatabaei house has three different zones as follows:
   
  • Vestibule
    The vestibule is an octagonal space at the entrance of a house which is similar to a corridor to separate the waiting part from the inside. It refers to the intimate part of Islamic architecture.
     
  • Outdoor part
    During visiting Tabatabaei house, you will see a large courtyard including an eye-catching view with white stones and a large pond. This part of the house contains various parts as follows:
     
    • Shah-Neshin

      Shah-Neshin is the most attractive part of this house, located on the southern side. It is a room with seven doors and a high ceiling dedicated to host, the special guests and ceremonies. Due to the presence of the mirror among its Stucco, it is also known as the Mirror Hall.

      You will see a room with specific ornamentation which contains painting, Muqarnas, Stucco, Āina-kāri, and some lattice windows made of plaster. All these elements show marvelous detail of Islamic Architecture in Tabatabaei house.

      There are two rooms on both sides of Shah-Neshin as Gooshvare (earnings), which used for regular guests.

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    • Mirror Iwan

      In front of the Mirror Hall, there is a gorgeous Iwan including specific Āina-kāri on the ceiling. The pattern of the Kashan Rug which is known as Medallion-Corner used as Stucco on the ceiling. Moreover, there are some stars among the pattern of Medallion-Corner which show the importance of the stars in the desert sky.

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    •  Outdoor room

      There are some rooms around the outdoor courtyard which divided into the winter room and summer room. Due to the Sun radiation, these rooms situated in the building.

    •  Backyard
       On both sides of the Shah-Neshin and behind the earrings, there are some small courtyards called the backyards, constructed mirror to each other. The Backyards provided light to the surrounding rooms.
       

  • Andaruni (indoor part)

    This part belongs to the Tabatabaeis family, which has five doors and a room in the center between two courtyards. There is no ornamentation in this part, but you face specific Vault, colored glasses, and dominate both the indoor and outdoor courtyards.

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• What is the best time to go?

  Spring and autumn is the best time to visit this historical house and enjoy the beauties of Kashan.
   
  • visiting information
     
    • Visiting the Tabatabaei house for foreign visitors costs 150,000 IRR.
    • You can visit the Tabatabaei house from 8:00 AM until 5:00 PM.

• Getting there?

   Tabatabaei house is situated on the Alavi Street, Kashan, Isfahan Province. 
   
  • You can reach there via private car and public transportation such as a taxi.  
  • Also, the following map can help you to find the exact location of Tabatabaei house: