Tabatabai House, Iranian mansion and museum in Kashan, Iran
The Tabatabai House is a Qajar-era residential building in Kashan containing over 40 rooms distributed across four courtyards, several basement levels, and expansive garden spaces. The structure combines adobe brick and plaster with three windcatchers designed for ventilation and cooling.
The building was constructed in 1880 during the Qajar period as a private residence for merchant Seyyed Jafar Tabatabai Natanzi and his family. It was converted into a museum in 1997 to preserve the architecture and way of life from that era.
The house displays traditional Iranian architecture with separate sections for guests and family, decorated with detailed stone reliefs, plasterwork, and colored glass windows. These design elements shape the spaces and reveal the craftsmanship visible in every corner of the building.
The building is open daily and can be explored with or without a guided tour, with roughly two hours needed for a thorough visit. The many rooms and courtyards spread across multiple levels, so comfortable footwear is recommended.
The main courtyard contains seven elaborately designed windows, an unusually high number compared to other houses from that period. These extra windows create distinctive light patterns through the colored glass that sets the building apart from similar structures of its time.
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