Mofakham Mirror House

🕰️When was it built?

The Mirror House was built in the 1870s, under Naser al-Din Shah, on the order of Yar Mohammad Khan Shadlu, known as Sardar Mofakham. Its design is attributed to Mirza Mehdi Khan Shaqaqi, Momtahen al-Dowleh. The building was part of the governor's complex in a large garden.

🏛️What was it built for?

This was the office space and the place for Sardar Mofakham's official meetings, ceremonies and consultations. The building has two floors and nine rooms, and since 2000 it has been used as a museum of documents and manuscripts. Before planning a visit, check how visits work now and which parts can be entered.

👀What you will see

• The upper hall has mirror-work walls and ceiling; watch the geometric and plant patterns along with the reflected light.
• The hall's three doors are made of sandalwood and inlaid with bone; look at the details of the frames without touching them.
• Four half-columns beside the entrance are covered in turquoise, lapis, black, white and yellow tiles.
• On the middle half-columns, the name of the Prophet of Islam is repeated in square Kufic script in a geometric design.
• Two armed Qajar soldiers are shown on either side of the entrance; look at their uniforms and the way they stand.

💡Something interesting

The name Mirror House comes from that upper-floor hall. Among its mirror-work patterns is a picture of the building's own front, a detail that seems to bring the image of the building inside it.

Good to know before you go