The Time Museum of Tehran, also known as Tamashagah-e Zaman, is Iran’s first and only museum dedicated to timekeeping devices. Located in the upscale Zafaraniyeh neighborhood of northern Tehran, this unique cultural site invites visitors to explore the evolution of clocks, watches, and time-measuring tools throughout human history.

Housed in a beautifully restored Qajar-era mansion, the museum is also famous for its Persian architectural elements, traditional artwork, and peaceful garden.

History of the Time Museum

The building that hosts the Time Museum dates back to the Qajar period (late 19th century). It was purchased and restored in the 1960s by Hossein Khodadad, a renowned Iranian industrialist and philanthropist. Khodadad commissioned leading Iranian artists and craftsmen to renovate the mansion using traditional techniques like mirrorwork, tilework, and plaster carving.

After the 1979 Islamic Revolution, the house was seized and later repurposed as a museum. In 1999, the site officially opened as Iran’s first timekeeping museum.

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Architectural Highlights

The Time Museum is not only about clocks—it is a masterpiece of Persian architecture and craftsmanship. The mansion covers about 700 square meters in a lush 5,000-square-meter garden.

Key architectural features include:

• Ornate stucco and plasterwork
• Moqarnas (stalactite-like decorations)
• Traditional brickwork and woodwork
• Miniature paintings and mirror mosaics

The famous “Esfahani Room” displays intricate carvings, latticed windows, and floral motifs, showcasing Iran’s finest traditional interior design.

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Exhibits and Collections

The museum’s diverse collection offers a historical tour of timekeeping technology:

• Ancient Clocks: Water clocks, sundials, sand and oil timers from early civilizations
• Mechanical Clocks and Watches: Including European wall clocks, table clocks, and pocket watches from the 17th to 20th centuries
• Famous Pieces: Timepieces owned by historical figures like Dr. Mahmoud Hessaby and a sundial from the Qajar court
• Horology Tools: Restoration instruments and documentation on traditional clockmaking techniques

Each floor of the museum is curated to highlight a specific period or function in the history of time.

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How to Visit the Time Museum

• Address: No. 6, Corner of Parzin Baghdadi St., Zafaraniyeh, Vali-e-Asr Ave., Tehran, Iran
• Opening Hours: 8:00 AM – 8:00 PM daily (closed on mourning holidays)
• Ticket: Free access to the garden; museum entry requires a small fee
• Access: Easily reachable by Tajrish Metro Station or BRT lines; limited parking is availabe