Unveiling secrets of Behnam House in Tabriz

The Maqsudiyeh neighborhood, nestled in Tabriz, East Azarbaijan Province, is celebrated for its rich historical tapestry and numerous ancient sites. Among these landmarks stands the venerable Behnam House, a historical edifice named in honor of its proprietor, Behnam Ganjei.

Beyond Behnam House, the Maqsudiyeh neighborhood is also home to other notable residences, each bearing its own unique story, including the Ganjei-Zadeh Mansion, Salmasi House, and Shahriar’s House, contributing to the area’s distinctive historical ambiance.

History
Behnam House is believed to have originated towards the end of the Zand dynasty and the inception of the Qajar era, around the late 18th century. It is well-documented that the house underwent significant restoration during the reign of Nasereddin Shah Qajar in the latter half of the 19th century. The architectural structure visible today largely reflects this period of renovation, with its ornate decorations and diverse paintings dating back to this time.
Behnam House, along with four other historical houses in its vicinity, now forms an integral part of the Tabriz University of Art, adding to its cultural and educational significance.

Architecture and features

Spanning approximately 900 square meters, Behnam House exemplifies traditional Iranian mansion architecture, featuring distinct internal and external sections. Designed with both summer and winter living quarters, the house strategically allocates more space to the summer area to accommodate Tabriz’s extended cold season.
The building’s facade captivates observers with its remarkable brickwork and exquisitely designed doors and windows.
Upon entering, a vestibule connects the house’s entrance to a courtyard adorned with a beautifully arranged flowerbed. The windows, embellished with colorful panes, frame picturesque views visible from the courtyard, oriented towards the north and south.
The southern part of the summer residence boasts a tall, pillared porch that matches the height of the residence itself. Rooms flank both sides of this residential area.
A notable feature of Behnam House is its interior decoration, highlighted by an array of paintings. During a restoration, several Iranian fresco paintings were uncovered, reminiscent of those used extensively during the Renaissance period. The presence of these paintings suggests that the house’s original owners and designers were keen on incorporating European-style interior decorations. The summer residence’s walls and ceilings also showcase stunning paintings. In the southern part of the house, a summer terrace is supported by columns crowned with plaster capitals.
Beneath the summer residence lies a pond sheltered by a dome-shaped roof. The basement of this section is notably spacious, showcasing an admirable alignment of architectural proportions through its arches and domes.
The inner section of the house, positioned on the northernmost side, features rooms on its east and west sides that overlook the courtyard. This area, designed to capture maximum sunlight, served as the primary residential space during the colder months.
Behnam House was officially recognized as a site of national significance in 1997 when it was inscribed on Iran’s List of National Heritage.

A must-visit destination

Tabriz boasts a history that dates back over a millennia, making it one of the key cities in Iran’s cultural and historical landscape. Once the capital of the Ilkhanate and an essential city in the Safavid dynasty, Tabriz has witnessed the rise and fall of empires. Its influence in trade, especially during the Silk Road era, brought prosperity and attracted travelers and merchants from far and wide.
The city stands as a city where history, culture, and modernity converge, making it a must-visit destination for anyone interested in Iran’s diverse heritage.