Pars Museum, Octagonal pavilion museum in Shiraz, Iran.
The Pars Museum is a two-story pavilion with a central hall, marble pond, and ornately decorated ceiling rising about 14 meters high. The structure displays hallmarks of Zand architecture and houses various collections spanning different periods of Iranian history.
The pavilion was built during the Zand Dynasty as a reception space for Karim Khan Zand and was later converted into a museum in the 20th century. Its shift from a residence to a cultural institution shows how historical buildings transformed to preserve knowledge and heritage.
This place served as a ceremonial space during the Zand era and later became a repository for objects that speak to Iran's layered past. Visitors can observe how different periods coexist in this setting and understand the importance it holds for the city.
The museum sits within Nazar Garden near Karim Khan Citadel and various Persian restaurants in central Shiraz. Visitors should allow time to explore the garden setting, as the location rewards walking and the surroundings invite lingering.
The garden holds three stone inscriptions from the Qajar era that visitors often overlook despite their historical value. These inscriptions offer clues about the different inhabitants and events that shaped this place during that period.
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