Azadi tower was the first symbol of Tehran that was made many years ago before Milad tower and still, many people know it as the main symbol of Tehran. This building, one of the masterpieces of contemporary Iranian architecture, was made to commemorate the 2500-year celebrations of the monarchy.

Azadi tower is a combination of Achaemenian, Sassanians and Islamic architecture.

So that the elliptical arch of the tower is the symbol of taq kasra and turquoise tiling is from the Safavian period and the grooves on the top of the building are adapted from Yazd windmills that, besides the modern architecture and concrete structure, it has given unique attraction to tower.

Introducing Azadi tower

Azadi tower was built on the occasion of the commemoration of the 2500-year celebrations of the monarchy and it was known as Shahyad Aria Mehr tower. Still, after Islamic Revolution, its name changed to Azadi tower. This tower’s incredible architecture made it one of Tehran’s most important sightseeing places. Azadi Tower was included in the list of national monuments of Iran in 1974. It is interesting to know between the years 1973 to 1978, a picture of tower was printed on a 200 Rial banknote. The lower area of the tower includes a gallery, hall of knowledge, Iranology hall, museum, library, etc. according to large number of halls and museums of the lower area, we can say that all available places are designed to be more like exhibition.

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Where is Azadi tower?

Azadi tower is in the middle of Azadi square. From west, azadi square leads to shahid lashgary high way, east to Azadi Street, south to saidy highway and north to jinnah high way. Azadi Tower is located near one of Tehran’s entry and exit points, through which many intra-city and extra-city trips occur every day. North-west of this tower belongs to passenger terminals, taxi station, minibus and bus station. On the northeast side of the tower, we can see buildings with office and commercial uses, newspaper kiosks, ticket offices, etc. At the southeast of the tower, we can see almahdi park and at the southwest of the building, there is the National Organization of Mapping and the Area of Mehrabad Airport.

Bus: there are taxis and buses from almost every part of Tehran and suburbs cities (Karaj, robat karim, islamshahr) to Azadi terminal and square. Also, from the Azadi terminal, intercity buses go to northern and western cities. Azadi terminal BRTs also move to tehranpars, khavaran terminal and the University of Islamic Science and Research branch, which has facilitated access to azadi square.

Metro system: if you want to go to azadi terminal with the metro, you can use the fourth line of the metro (eram sabz- shahid kolahdoz) to get off at azadi terminal station.

Private car: depends on where do you live in Tehran, you can go to azadi tower from Ayatollah Saidi highway (south side), Mohammad Ali Jinnah highway ( north side), lashgari high way ( special high way ) and azadi street (east side).

Visiting hours: every day from 9 am to 4 pm. Azadi Tower is closed on Saturdays and official holidays.

Azadi tower’s tickets: depends on the number of section that you want to visit, price is about 10, 20 and 25 thousand tomans. If you want to visit every part of tower, the price is 25 thousand tomans.

Azadi tower number: 021-660239514

Azadi tower address: Tehran, azadi Street, azadi tower

Azadi tower website: azadi-tower.com

History of Azadi tower

Since 1960, Pahlavi government decided to build a memorial at the western entrance of Tehran (Serah Mehrabad). At first, it was supposed to build a building like Triumphal arch but it turned out that triumphal does not have enough glory. Until in September 1345, during a call in the newspapers, architect were invited to send their design and finally between Iranians architects design, Hossein Amanat won. Azadi tower construction work started on November 2, 1969 and it took 28 month until October 16, 1971 it was opened with the presence of 3000 inland and foreign guests. After opening Azadi tower, its responsibility assigned to the Ministry of Culture and Arts and it continued until after Islamic revolution, it reached to the Ministry of Culture and Islamic Guidance. Now Rudaki foundation is responsible for managing this tower. All we know as Azadi Tower cultural complex, weren’t made in 1971 and it just included the building and lower area. At 1353, Government decided to build a museum at 15 meters deep under the tower so design was assigned to Hossein Amanat and the result was an advanced museum equipped with audiovisual parts. Because during the demonstrations and struggles of the Iranian revolution, people used this square for aggregation, after Islamic revolution its name changed to Azadi tower. Since 1978 until now this place has become a place for performing programs related to victory of Islamic revolution. Since 2013, Azadi tower has been dealing with danger state of destruction. While making a masque at north- west side of this tower, destroyed its sight.

Architecture of Azadi tower

Square and azadi tower has wonderful design and architecture and it has been tried in its design to use elements of Iranian architecture like Wind catcher (badgir), Iranian garden, four arches and all type of tiling in it. azadi Square with 50,000 square meters, has an oval shape field and the tower is located along the east-west side and about the eastern third of it.

How many meters Azadi tower is?

Azadi is 63 meters long and 45 meters high, consisting of four floors and two staircases with 286 stairs and two elevators.

Building of this tower consists square- a rectangle shape that is 16 sided and it finally leads to a dome that you can see it from inside of tower.

The appearance of Azadi Tower consists of two pairs of large arches that they meet and make a big white building. These white stones of building are divided by turquoise colored grooves. Azadi tower has four sides, and both views are symmetrical. The parallel and elongated lines of the foundations are inspired by the Achaemenid architectural style. The main arch at middle of the tower is inspired from the Sasanian period and its upper arch is designed using Islamic architecture. Fountain in square is a symbol of Iranian gardens. The formalization of these two arches is inspired by Iranian mosque. Design of Azadi tower has a close relationship with the square, which is obvious from its lawns and design. The designer of building, Hossein Amanat said because of tower is near to Mehrabad airport, we could not increase it to 45 meters high. The charming of this tower is not limited to its outer space and inside space also amazes every visitor. Two tower floors are located above the main arch and you can access them by elevator. One of the most interesting things about Azadi tower is that different part of this tower are not limited and you can have connections with other parts or even the sky.

Inside of Azadi tower

Inside of Azadi tower includes two floors one of them is above the dom and the other one under it and you can access them by elevator. In addition, four floors are also designed under the tower. Actually, in addition to being a symbol of Tehran, the architecture inside it including the gallery, library, and different halls, is also useful.

Different part of Azadi tower

Azadi tower has four parts that each one of them has different parts. In the following, we are going to have a brief explanation for them.

Where is the entrance of Azadi Tower?

The entrance of Azadi tower is 5 meters underground and it is located a yard that leads to the lower area. That place takes you to the north side door, security, ticket office, south side door, ceremonial hall, east side door and Iranology hall.

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Lower area

Iranology hall, ceremonial hall, Passage of predecessors, mirrors hall, tribe’s gallery, boostan gallery, library, Technology corridor, ancient chamber, Multivision hall, Small showrooms

Iranology hall

This hall was made to learn about the climatic, cultural and economic characteristics of different provinces of Iran. This hall with1, 122 meters is marked with a Maquette of different provinces of Iran and it includes a U shape path on moving conveyors and they show you volumetric images and different designs from historical places, religious, industrial centers and you can travel around Iran within 15 to 20 minutes with that conveyor belt. On the north side of Maquette, a fountain has been located as the Caspian Sea and on the south side of the Maquette, a wonderful pond has been located as khalij pars. So by placing and moving on the conveyor, visitors can see the culture and handcrafts of that province in Iran on four big screens.

Ceremonial hall

A ceremonial hall was built to receive guests, and most of the invited people to this tower were received in this hall.

Passage of predecessors

Passage of predecessors is located after the ceremonial hall and includes many showcases that belong to various objects and artists’ works. This place is situated in the entrance corridor of azadi tower and impressive architecture and stone doors are some interesting things about it. Moreover, the lighting of this corridor connects you to the ancient architecture of Iran, old atriums and cellars.

Mirrors hall

Mirrors hall has 12 stalls on each side showing volumetric designs and symbols from urban development, wildlife, oil industry, environment and sports. It was used mirror in their design to look bigger than their real ones, so this place was called mirrors hall. One of the noteworthy features of this section is the exhibition shape of this place that belongs to artists’ works, holding various handicrafts of Iranian tribes and art workshops. From the north side, the mirrors hall leads to the tribe’s gallery, from the east to the library and from the south to the Administrative department.

Tribes Gallery

The tribe’s gallery is a corridor in the shape of a semi-circle with eight showcases that are for showing Displays of anthropological objects and also handicrafts. In addition, visitors can access Paigah danestani and showrooms.

Boostan gallery

Boostan gallery near the library is the main gallery of azadi tower with a spacious hall with great lighting. This quiet place is for showing visual works and art workshops.

Library

Library of Azadi tower with an area of about 200 square meters, has eleven thousands books that includes two thousands valuable reference book and other subjects like Linguistics, history and literature in Persian, English and French language.

Technology corridor

Technology corridor has modern attractions like Visual system, pianist robot, paigah danestani and responsive robot. Pianist robot is made by Iranian engineers and it can play piano with Air pumps and computer programming.

Responsive robot has boy face and can answer and explain your questions about history of tower or architecture.

Paigah danestani includes two similar halls. It has 28 screens at center of this hall which show you history of Iran from beginning until now.

Ancient chamber

Ancient chamber (main museum) is under the tower and it includes showcases for artistic and historical works. Two elevators and also stairs are located at this chamber and you can access upper floors from them. South side of hall leads to Tower central facilities and north side to mirrors hall.

Multivision hall

Multivision hall is 15 meters under the ground and with the most advanced technology of light, sound and image is used for the performance of conference, music and theater.  Laser show broadcasting equipment, imaging equipment and make-up equipment are some of the possibilities of this hall. It has 18 platforms and you can see interesting interior design of it. Since you can use this hall multipurpose, we call it Multivision hall and plus screening movies, concerts, performing shows, TV competitions, the possibility of holding various conferences, multi-vision shows, laser shows are also available.

Small showroom

Simulation hall was made by Rodaki foundation at 2009 and it is equipped with advanced possibilities and technology of world for creating a virtual space while watching movies and also all seats are equipped with motion effects. This hall is near Iranology hall and from east side to entrance door of tower.

Elevator of Azadi tower

Azadi tower has two elevators and each one of them belongs to two special floors. First elevator goas to second floor and second one goas to two upper floors.

First floor

First floor is 23 meters up the ground. There are two slanted concrete walls with small windows there; the same blue windows that are visible from under the Azadi arch.

Second floor

Second floor is 33 meters away from square and it has a concrete doom with sun design that it provides light for the first and second floors of the tower. Second floor is for showing historical pictures.

Sightseeing attractions around Azadi Tower

Charger Lake: Chitgar is known as the largest artificial lake in Iran, plus picnics and family meetings; you can also enjoy cycling, shopping, fun activities, amusement park and walking in all seasons. This lake is 2 kilometers away from the tower.

Eram amusement park: this amusement park is 10 kilometers away from the tower and Thanks to having more than 70 types of exciting game machines, it can be a good option for picnics and fun activities. Eram amusement park is one of the most memorable and oldest amusement parks, which hosts visitors with an outdoor and indoor amusement park.

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