Dar ul-Funun, Educational museum in District 12, Tehran, Iran
Dar ul-Funun is a three-story building in Tehran constructed of brick and stone with traditional Qajar elements and decorative tilework throughout. The symmetrical layout and wooden interior details reflect the character of this early modern educational institution.
The building was founded in 1851 by Prime Minister Amir Kabir and served as Iran's first modern higher education institution before becoming a museum. This transformation shows how the institution shifted from its teaching role to preserving this significant chapter of Iranian educational history.
The name Dar ul-Funun means House of Arts and reflects its role as the birthplace of modern education in the region. The preserved classrooms show how students once sat and studied, while displayed objects document the daily lives of these early modern learners.
The museum sits on Naser Khosrow Street and offers regular visiting hours with guided tours in multiple languages. Plan time to properly explore the historical classrooms and exhibits at a comfortable pace.
The building's library holds original manuscripts and textbooks from European professors who taught medicine, engineering, and military sciences. This collection reveals how European knowledge was woven into Iran's educational system during the mid-1800s.
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