Pars Museum of Shiraz; An Exhibition of 5000 Years of Iranian History

Despite being small in size, the Pars Museum of Shiraz is outstanding both in terms of architecture and construction and in terms of the objects displayed in it. The building of this museum was constructed in the 18th century in a garden known as “Bagh Nazar” and was a part of the construction plan of Karim Khan Zand for public use. Arg of Karim Khan or Karim Khan Citadel, Vakil Mosque, Vakil Bazaar, and Vakil Bathhouse are among the buildings erected around Bagh Nazar.

Location and Features of Pars Museum of Shiraz

Bagh Nazar was built during the Zand era, in front of the Karim Khan Citadel. The size of the garden used to be larger earlier and the Pars Museum is located in a building called “Kolah Farangi”.

The museum building looks octagonal from the outside. Tiles decorated with flower and tree motifs have made the exterior of the Pars Museum look pleasant and harmonious. Although from the outside, this building resembles the tombs that were built in that period, the exterior decorations and lively tiling of the building resemble the freshness of the garden atmosphere for visitors. During his rule, Karim Khan Zand used to receive and entertain officials and important personalities in this building.

Pars Museum was founded in this building in 1934 and a collection of the most exquisite objects related to the ancient history of Iran was put on display in it. The interior walls of this museum are decorated with paintings from the Zand era, with combinations of dark red and gold colors, which can also be seen in the Karim Khan Citadel.

The interior space of Pars Museum looks like a cross and objects are arranged on each side of it in the showcases. There are four fountains on four sides of the building. The interior space also accommodates four alcoves.

Artifacts Displayed in the Pars Museum of Shiraz

Pars Museum is the oldest museum in the Fars province of Iran and it stores valuable metal works, pottery, coins, and seals. The objects displayed in this museum are from the 4th millennium BC to the contemporary times.

Pre-Islamic Objects

A clay pot belonging to the 3rd millennium BC, a red-beaked jar from the 2nd millennium BC, bust from the Sasanian era discovered in the Hajiabad region of Darab, along with bronze vessels and objects discovered in the Lorestan Province, which are related to the 1st millennium BC can be seen in this museum.

The Exquisite Copies of the Holy Qur’an

30 exquisite copies of the Holy Qur’an in the handwriting of Yahya al-Jamali al-Sufi, who lived in the 8th century AH (14th century CE), are kept in the museum. A heavy copy of the Holy Qur’an, known as the “17 Man” (lit. 51 Kg.), which had been scripted by Sultan Ibrahim ibn Shahrukh of the Timurid Dynasty and was earlier kept at the Shiraz Gate, can now be seen in this museum. This copy of the Holy Qur’an weighs 40 kg and its dimensions are 48 x 72 cm.

The Paintings of the Museum

Some watercolor paintings by Lotfali Souratgar, a contemporary Iranian painter, can also be seen in the museum. The famous painting of Karim Khan smoking hookah, which was painted by a person named “Ja’far”, is also kept in this museum. There are several other famous paintings in the Pars Museum, some of which had been made to decorate houses and coffee houses in different eras.

Karim Khan’s Tomb

Karim Khan Zand passed away in 1193 AH (1779 AD). He had bequeathed his body to be buried in the eastern alcove of this mansion. 13 years later, Agha Muhammad Khan Qajar, the founder of the Qajar dynasty, who had a strong grudge against the Zand family, removed Karim Khan’s bones from the grave and took them to Golestan Palace and buried them under its staircase as a sign of disrespect for Karim Khan. Later on, Reza Khan, the founder of the Pahlavi regime, had these bones removed from under the staircase and sent to Shiraz to be respectfully buried in their previous place.

The objects displayed in the Pars Museum of Shiraz are from the 4th millennium BC to the contemporary times.