Natural Science Museum of Yazd

The Natural Science Museum of Yazd is one of the must-see museums of this city, which is located in the Iranshahr High School of this city. Visiting the works exhibited in different parts of the museum combines the pleasure of viewing interesting objects with the pleasure of learning and getting to know the various manifestations of the universe.

Iranshahr High School, Host of the Natural Science Museum of Yazd

Iranshahr High School is considered the oldest high school in Yazd and was inscribed on the list of Iran’s national heritage in the year 1998 AD. This high school is located in Shahid Rajaee Street (Iranshahr) of Yazd and is still engaged in providing educational services. The beginning of the school dates back to 1927 AD and the time of the first Pahlavi king. The construction of the school took almost seven years, and it was officially opened at the beginning of the year 1934 AD, and the school became known as “Iranshahr”.

The shape of the building and the balanced view of the school is the first thing that catches the eye of every viewer. A large number of architects of Yazd participated in the construction of the school. The main designer of the building is André Godard, a French architect and archaeologist (1881-1965 AD). He arrived in Iran in the early 20th century and was employed by the Iranian government. He then worked in various responsibilities. The Museum of Ancient Iran, Hafeziyah of Shiraz, Azarbaijan Museum, and Iranshahr School are among his most important works in Iran.

Architecture of Iranshahr School

It is based on a bed of solid sand sedimentary layers obtained from alluvium. The main materials used in the construction of the school are clay, mud, and bricks. In the architecture of the building, attention has been paid to creating an awning to protect the inhabitants from the scorching sun of the desert. A portico can be seen in front of the classrooms, which was created for the same reason.

The floor of the courtyard is covered with brick and stone plinths can be seen at the foot of the walls. More than 11,000 square meters of colored glazed tiles have been used on the facade of the building. The presence of narrow and tall windows is another attractive part of the facade of the building. In the design of the building, one can see the architecture of the Safavid era (16th to 18th century AD) and the Sassanid era (3rd to 7th century AD), which have created a unique and balanced combination.

When the Iranshahr school was built, there was no piped water in the city, but a water source was installed on the second floor of the building to store the water needed for toilets and drinking fountains. This source was made in compliance with the highest sanitary standards of its time, and its water was supplied through a well, using an old tool called a well wheel. Natural History Museum of Yazd is located in the basement of the school.

Sections and Features of the Museum of Natural Sciences of Yazd

This museum started its work in the late 1980s. Four main halls in the subjects of geology, biology, physics, and astronomy, over an area of nearly 3500 square meters, make up the sections of the museum. What makes visiting this museum more pleasant is its original and ancient architectural style. Since the museum is located in one of the famous schools of Yazd City, it hosts different groups of students every year. According to the statistics presented in 2023, nearly 15 thousand students have visited this museum. Thus, the Museum of Natural Sciences of Yazd is not only a place to display some objects, but it is also a place to learn and gain information about the native plants and animals of the province, as well as the tools and knowledge of physics and astronomy.

In the biology department, 250 species of native and desert plants, 150 samples of insects, birds, and reptiles, several taxidermy bodies, and stages of embryo formation and development are on display. The body of a woman who, according to experts, lived about 800 years ago, is another important work of the museum. The observatory, various tools for mathematical calculations and measurements, and the planetarium are among the other sights of this museum. One can also see several fossils in this museum.