Things to see and do Tehran Region

On October 14, 2014, the Tabiaat Bridge was Inaugurated, a huge pedestrian walkway of futuristic architecture, a great success, which links over the highways Ab-o-Atash Park to the west and Taleghani park to the east. It's the country's largest pedestrian bridge. Taabiat means "nature" in Persia, a name that fits very well with this airy structure connecting two large public gardens, one urban and landscaped, the other steep and wooded, on the background of the mountains. This structure is signed by the architect Leila Araghian and the company Diba. The Tabiaat Bridge is more than a passage, it is a space at several levels, a place of living with a coffee, a place where walking, skater, bike or even climbing on horseback… The third level is dedicated to contemplation, to appreciate the magnificent view of Tehran that the Bridge offers. This footbridge required two years of work, more than 14 000 metal pieces, assembled more than 40 metres from the ground and weighs more than 2 000 tonnes. A symbol for Tehran and a true bridge between nature, tourism and urbanity. Don't miss it!

A fascinating collection of Crown jewels, not lacking under any pretext. Bank Melli, in front of the German Embassy, is easily linked with its large black doors and armed guards at the entrance. In the basement, a fabulous treasure protected by substantial armour. The windows are home to precious stones, rough and rough diamonds, crested with crested and other different jewellery. Of unimaginable value, this collection gathers over several centuries the war spoils accumulated by the Crown, purchases made, legacies and finally gifts. The Diamant-i Nur or the Sea of light (182 carats) diamonds are undoubtedly the most famous of all. Reported by Nadir Shah (1688-1747), in the th century, after his victory over the Mughal Empire in Delhi, this diamond remains the most important of the world with the famous Koh-i Nur (the Mountain of Light). The latter, stolen by the British after leaving India, is now in the Tower of London. The former Throne of the Peacock, made in 1798 and encrusted of 26 733 precious stones, dates back to the time of Fath Ali Shah (1797-1834). More recently, the Throne of the Shah is also fully set of precious stones. The fabulous crown of the Pahlavi, dating back to 1924, was on its side made by a former Jeweler of Bukhara from 3 380 diamonds and countless emeralds, sapphires and pearls… also admiring the royal belt of gold, captured by a splendid emerald of 175 carats! Another highlight of the collection, the huge earth globe of 40 kg, realized in 1869 with more than 50 000 precious gemstones. The tales of the Thousand-and-One Nights are never far away… Possibility of buying postcards and a small booklet on the jewels at the exit.

Qom seems entirely oriented towards the teaching of feqh, religious law. In the shadow of the golden dome of the mausoleum of Fatima, many fervent theological students listen to religious sermons. Students and mullahs with black or white tunics reign masters on the scene. Women are covered by the chador, with few exceptions.

As a city of pilgrimage, Qom also attracts thousands of Shi'a pilgrims throughout the year, converging to the magnificent Hazrat-e Fatemeh Masumeh Sanctuary or Fatima la Pure sanctuary. During the Moharran month of mourning commemorating the martyrdom of Hossein, the crowd is at its height. Kneeling in the face of the grave of Fatima, women preached beauty, fertility and marital happiness. Located near the river, the immense sacred enclosure, surmounted by its impressive dome of gold leaves, is the heart of the holy city. A picturesque little square, dominated by the soaring soaring soaring minarets and the huge entrance gate, allows access to the interior courtyard of the mausoleum. Non-Muslims are not allowed to enter the sanctuary. Highly recommended respect and discretion. The magnificent sanctuary around the tomb of Fatima was built under Shah Abbas I and the following safavides kings, eager to establish their power under Ottoman occupation and to counterbalance the sect's tombs in Najaf and Kerbala. The mausoleum became the object of extreme veneration and it is around the tomb of Holy Fatima that the City developed. The magnificent golden dome of the mausoleum is a beautification due to Fath Ali Shah, which made it cover with pure gold plates. A walk in the adjacent streets will allow you to grasp the atmosphere. The usual «temple merchants» offer their religious articles - citations from the Koran, compressed holy earth briquettes intended for prayer, rosaries, prayer rugs, etc. See also the beautiful Persian silk carpets. Even in the holy Land, the gourmands will be tempted by the delicious sohun, caramel patties and saffron exportées exported worldwide.

Marking the location of the ancient bazaar citadel (or Ark), the magnificent Roses Palace will first house the Qadjar Dynasty (1794-1925) and the Pahlavi dynasty (1925-1979). It brings together seven palaces open to the public. It is difficult to remain insensitive to the gardens, the splendid flower beds and its marble-paved courtyards to the blue tiled basins. See in particular the Ethnographic Museum (Muzeh-ye Mardom Shenasi) for its beautiful paintings and interesting collection of everyday objects of everyday life and musical instruments. Also interested in the great nakhl, or ceremonial catafalque for the religious processions of the month of Moharram.

Very interesting museum near the rue Neauphle-le-Château and the Embassy of France which, even at the height of the revolution, has never been closed. The vast collection of Persian, high quality classical carpets, and kilims of nomadic tribes, come from all regions of the country.

The wonderful Isfahan and Kerman silk carpets will also make visitors happy. The carpets of Azerbaijan are recognisable to their central medallion in fish form. Between animal motifs, hunting scenes, worthy of the best miniatures with its tigers, ibex and leopards past the sword by some heroic shah, we are plunging into Persian mythology. Also dwell on the carpets to the medallions, the généalogie carpets and those representing Darius the Great, King of Kings. So you will know everything about Persian carpets, the number of knots at the cm ² signs the quality of the work. You can also know that a tourist is entitled to 12 m ² of carpet without additional taxes… Small shop also accessible to the public.

Capital of the Mongols Ilkhan - soltaniyeh literally means "the city of sultans" - built at the beginning of the xivth century, there is now only a village of 6,500 souls, living around the immense mausoleum of the Mongolian sultan Uldjatu Khudabendeh. Originally destined for Ali (son of the prophet Mohammed), the building finally went to the sultan, died around 1317 and converted to Sunnism in the meantime. Destroyed in 1384 by the armies of Tamerlan, Soltaniyeh only preserved his mausoleum with his exceptional dome of 48 m high. No doubt, the ruins here have a soul, almost echoing Eskander's epic (Alexander the Great) and Gengis Khan… The dome of the mausoleum, one of the world's largest after those of the Blue Mosque in Istanbul and Saint Paul's Cathedral in London, is covered with bricks. turquoise enameled. Like the sufi monuments, the building base is similar to the mausoleum of the Sufi Sultan Sandjer in Merv. Decorated with the origin of earthquakes, the interiors were unfortunately coated with plaster by the radicals of a non-figurative Islam. However, some coufic inscriptions - the oldest form of Arabic writing - remain. By contrast, the eight monumental minarets and four iwan (portals) disappeared. At the top level, in the red triple arcade gallery, which belts the dome, admire the wall of red clay clay. From here, the view of the surrounding countryside is impressive.

A recent realization of the municipality of Tehran. Lagoon and original! On the edge of the Golbarg public garden, over three hectares, it is a magnificent landscape park that houses giant models (1/25 ^e) of 12 Iranian sites classified as World heritage by UNESCO. Extremely precise and live reconstructions organized according to their location in the country. Ideal for those who don't have time to travel through Iran to discover these jewels. You are thus discovering the Bam Citadel (in its state before the earthquake), the Armenian churches of Ourmya, Persepolis, the great Mosque of Isfahan, the Funéraire-e Qābus solar and Lecadran tower and even the Palace of Golestan. A visit not to miss!

In the heart of the city, between the Golestan Palace and the National Museum, this vast park is very popular with the Teheranais. The terrace of the tea house, on the divans of which we are lying, is taken from the arrival of the beautiful days when the small lake, in winter, metamorphoses into a patina for the greatest happiness of the children. We recommend you take a tour in summer, to enjoy the freshness of the fountains and shade of trees when the city is overheated by the sun. Children will also enjoy the mini zoo, with its many birds having found a welcoming green space since its inauguration in 1960.

Two amusement parks, a zoo and an artificial lake.

The House of Tea, Vorarlberg Sonnati Sanglang, on the edge of the lake serves as ice rink in the winter. As well, the seasons follow but do not resemble Tehran.

Extending to the heights, in the northern districts and in keeping with the Massifs mountains. Green wood, rocks and panoramic view of the capital are all good reasons to make a jump there.

One of the great and beautiful parks that give oxygen to the city centre, a haven of flowery peace and maintained. Several drinking water points, benches, and a playground for children. Families come there pique (you will be offered a dish with a lesser smile…), groups of women with their children gather on carpets, wise lovers hold by hand. Students and students attend assiduously and happily the places, a high school and a university being nearby. The Carpet Museum is located in the park building.

Located on the famous Valy-e Asr Avenue in the heart of the capital, it is one of the largest parks in Tehran.

It is an excellent way to realise the fervour that still surrounds the deceased Ayatollah. On June 4, the date of his death, the crowd is huge. Four towers of 90 m high paved the sanctuary. See also nearby the impressive Behesht-e Zahra cemetery, which gathers 200 000 graves of the soldiers killed during the Iran-Iraq war between 1980 and 1988.

Advice to soapweed ambiance… Former prison for opponents during the 1979 pre-revolution period, the establishment remained exactly in the same state as it was thirty years ago. In a religious silence, only disturbed by the distant echo of the gardien, the visit begins with a long framed entrance of walls on which the names of the prisoners are inscribed. Here, the secret police of the Shah (the Savak) were free to award all dissidents. The museum consists of the elucidation of these methods, illustrated by bloody models. An original visit, just steps from the national museum of Iran, which takes little time and allows you to discover another face of the country's history.

A stone's throw from the lively Imam Khomeini, this beautiful pedestrian walkway lined with monuments with diverse architecture welcomes the interesting national museum Malek. It contains objects of the th century: miniature furniture, decorative furniture, painting of Kamal ol-Molok as well as a collection of coins, stamps and carpets. On the first floor, a student library where you can consult art files, as well as some magazines in English (National Geographic, Eco Times).

The entrance to the street is next to the Ministry of foreign affairs, behind the impressive Bagh-e Melli, a pretty wooden door.