Everything You Need to Know About Visiting Tehran’s City Theater
Certainly, one of the most important cultural centers in Tehran must be the City Theater. This circular-shaped building, which houses the legacy of the country’s performing arts, remains one of the most influential centers of theater and art in Tehran. Located in the heart of Tehran, in one of the busiest areas of the capital, it is a venue where the country’s greatest theater professionals have usually staged one or more performances in its halls as part of their careers.
Why do we recommend visiting Tehran’s City Theater?
Whether you’re a resident of Tehran or visiting for a short trip, if art and culture are important to you, we highly recommend a visit to City Theater. Exploring the sights of Tehran, strolling through Daneshjou Park, and taking a walk around the City Theater building create a memorable experience that can be enhanced by choosing a good play to watch.
City Theater is located in one of the best areas of Tehran for art enthusiasts. The surrounding area is full of stylish art cafes. The theater complex is not far from Enqelab Street and other important parts of the city, and there are many tourist attractions nearby.
History of Tehran’s City Theater
It is said that before the City Theater building was established in its current location in 1972, this area of Tehran was one of the city’s popular recreation spots. Instead of the City Theater building, there was a structure known as the “Baladiye Guesthouse,” where occasionally magicians and circus performers staged shows. When it was first founded, City Theater operated under the “Art Festival Organization,” and after the victory of the Islamic Revolution in 1979, the management of the complex was handed over to the Ministry of Culture and Islamic Guidance. Some renowned figures who have overseen or managed City Theater over the years include Ali Rafiee, Hossein Pakdel, and Hossein Parsayi.
Before the construction of the City Theater complex, the building “Baldieh Guesthouse” or the City Hall Café was located in this area, serving as a place for leisure and entertainment for Tehran’s citizens. This guesthouse was built in 1930. Outdoor performances were held around the City Hall Café, with various groups, such as the Baran Circus, putting on shows. The City Hall Café was also a popular hangout for notable writers, poets, and artists, including Forough Farrokhzad and Jalal Al-Ahmad.
In the 1960s, theatrical groups expanded, and the art of theater began to flourish. Prominent theater artists from that time included Akbar Radi, Arbi Avanessian, Gholamhossein Saedi, Bahram Beizai, Bahman Mofid, Parviz Sayad, Ezzatollah Entezami, and Ali Nasirian. The increase in the number of performances led to a shortage of performance venues, and the need for a specialized, equipped theater hall became apparent.
Finally, in 1967, with the necessary facilities in place, the design and construction of the City Theater building began. The construction was entrusted to prominent Iranian engineers who were students of the famous Iranian architect, Houshang Seyhoun. After five years, the main hall of the City Theater was inaugurated. The four-corner hall and Hall No. 2 were opened shortly thereafter. Over time, additional halls, sections, and surrounding spaces were added to the City Theater complex.
Today, the City Theater is recognized as one of Tehran and Iran’s most important theatrical centers, and its beautiful building, located within Tehran’s Daneshjoo Park, is one of the city’s noteworthy landmarks. In its early years, the City Theater’s operations were overseen by the “Shiraz Arts Festival Organization,” under the direct supervision of Farah Pahlavi. Later, it was handed over to the “National Iranian Radio and Television Organization.” After the 1979 Revolution, the management and oversight of the complex was transferred to the Ministry of Culture and Higher Education, which was soon after renamed the Ministry of Culture and Islamic Guidance. Prominent artists have managed and supervised various sections of the City Theater complex in recent years.
Architecture of City Theater
The beautiful City Theater building was inaugurated in 1972 and is relatively young in age. However, it has been registered as a cultural heritage site of the country. The architect of this building was the famous Iranian architect Ali Sardar Afkhami. The design of the building was inspired by the Toghrul Tower, and it features an attractive combination of tiles and bricks in its construction. A notable feature of this building is its circular plan, reminiscent of structures like the Pantheon and the Colosseum.
Different Sections of Tehran’s City Theater
In addition to the main hall, the City Theater complex includes the Chaharsoo Hall, the Saaye Hall, the Performance Plato, and the Qashqai Studies Center. There is also a specialized library for artists, where art students and enthusiasts can benefit from its resources. Furthermore, this complex is located within one of Tehran’s parks, called Daneshjou Park.
Cost and Suggested Visiting Time for Tehran’s City Theater
The best time to visit City Theater is likely in the late afternoon or at sunset. If you’re not a fan of watching theater, you can sit by the pools at City Theater and observe the fast-paced life of the capital. However, if you’d like to experience a performance at the theater, it’s good to know that the prices for tickets vary slightly between the halls, with the highest ticket prices typically for the main hall.
How to Get to Tehran’s City Theater?
The City Theater subway station is one of the well-known and busy stations in the capital, making it an easy way to reach the complex. The BRT (Bus Rapid Transit) system is also an option. Two BRT lines meet at Vali Asr Square, which is where City Theater is located. One line starts at Azadi Square, runs along Enqelab Street, and heads towards East Tehran, while the other line runs from South to North along Vali Asr Street. You can also take a taxi. Driving your own car might not be the best option for a destination in the city center, but if you’re aware of the traffic zone limits, you may find parking in the alleyways around City Theater.
There are various ways to access the City Theater building. Vali-Asr Square is located in the center of Tehran, surrounded by various academic, administrative, commercial, and cultural centers. As a result, different public transportation options pass through this square and have stations there. On the other hand, this part of the capital is within the traffic restriction zone, and heavy traffic is common throughout the week. Considering these factors, using a personal vehicle to reach Vali-Asr Square and the City Theater building is not an ideal choice.
The City Theater is located in central Tehran, and public transportation options like the metro and BRT buses provide convenient access to the theater.
The City Theater metro station is located directly across from the City Theater building. This station is located on the intersection of Metro lines 3 and 4, covering a broad range of neighborhoods in the east, west, north, and south of Tehran. So, no matter where you are in Tehran, you can take the metro to the City Theater metro station and enter the theater area through the exit by Daneshjoo Park or directly by the City Theater entrance.
BRT buses on the Tehranpars Square to Azadi Square line and the Railway Square to Tajrish line also have stations at Vali-Asr Square. You can take these BRT lines from any part of Tehran (west, east, north, or south) to reach the City Theater. These BRT lines have a dedicated lane, which means they do not encounter traffic and are the best choice for these routes. Shared taxis are also available at various points around Tehran to reach Vali-Asr Square, which you can use if desired.
If you’re planning to visit the City Theater during the weekend, you can also use your personal vehicle. Simply follow the main routes, depending on where you’re coming from, and head towards Enqelab Street or Vali-Asr Street, continuing toward Vali-Asr Square. However, keep in mind that parking is prohibited along both sides of Enqelab and Vali-Asr Streets. Mozafar Street, located across from the City Theater and on the northern side of Enqelab Street, is a cobblestone street with a limited number of parking spaces. But if you’re heading to the City Theater in the evening, parking capacity on this street might be full.
Address of City Theater, Tehran: Vali-Asr Square, west side of Daneshjoo Park, City Theater Building (View on map)
Phone number of City Theater, Tehran: 021-66460595, 021-66460593
What Other Attractions Are Near Tehran’s City Theater?
Vahdat Hall: 1.3 km
Charsu Cinema Complex: 1.6 km
Shahrzad Theater Hall: 1.7 km
National Jewelry Museum: 3.3 km
Marble Palace: 3.4 km
What Hotels Are Near Tehran’s City Theater for Accommodation?
Espinas Hotel: 1.2 km
Hana Boutique Hotel: 1.5 km
Hozeh Hotel: 1.6 km
Rudaki Hotel: 1.8 km
Parasto Hotel: 2 km
Razi Apartment Hotel: 2 km
What Restaurants and Cafes Are Near Tehran’s City Theater?
Buffalo Café-Restaurant: 100 m
Reira Café-Restaurant: 1.2 km
Amordad Restaurant: 1.5 km
Vaziri Restaurant: 1.8 km
