Can You go inside the azadi tower ?
Azadi Square has always been significant. Whether when it was named Shahyad and served as a monument to the grand celebrations of the Pahlavi monarchy, or after it became a host to countless paths and events, welcoming crowds of fellow countrymen. Azadi Square is the historical memory of a capital city whose every day has never been like the other. The capital of a country named Iran, where this tower and square are loved not just for their architecture and beauty, but for their name.
In this article for Gulf City Pedia’s travel magazine, we want to take a walk through Azadi Square on foot, breathe in the air of Tehran (though polluted, but beloved), and see if we can enter the Azadi Tower.
A Look at the History of Azadi Square Azadi Square owes much of its fame to the large tower sitting at its center. This tower, built in 1970 by the order of Mohammad Reza Pahlavi, remains a symbol of Tehran and perhaps, better said, a symbol of Iran globally, even decades after its construction.
The unique design of the Azadi Tower, originally called Shahyad Tower, was created by Hossein Amanat, with the execution and construction entrusted to Mohammad Pour-Fathi. The purpose of building the tower was to keep the memory of the 2500th anniversary of the Persian Empire’s monarchy alive, leaving behind a remarkable architectural masterpiece.
Azadi Square: The Largest Square in Tehran If you live in the capital or have visited Tehran even once, you’ve probably seen Azadi Square at least briefly. However, Azadi Square is more than just a tower for taking photos or a square for driving around. It wouldn’t be an exaggeration to say that Azadi Square is the greatest historical witness of our time, having seen the beginning and end of countless events.
Azadi Square After the Revolution After the revolution, Azadi Square became a crucial gathering place for all significant events in the country. From the welcoming ceremonies for Imam Khomeini’s return from Paris to all major political and social gatherings. One of the curiosities of the post-revolution era is the tradition of firing cannons during the New Year’s celebrations next to the Azadi Tower. This event in 2021 caused cracks in the tower, but no organization or authority has taken responsibility for this issue to this day.
What’s Inside Azadi Tower?
After admiring the exterior architecture of the tower, it’s time to take a look inside. Azadi Tower has two staircases and two elevators that provide access to its four floors. The tower has 286 steps, and in my opinion, either the elevators must be broken for you to take the stairs, or you must really be in the mood to count the steps!
The architecture of Azadi Square, and especially the former Shahyad Tower, is influenced by the architectural styles of various historical periods. The base of the tower is inspired by the Achaemenid period, and the main arch in the middle resembles the Sassanid period’s Taq Kasra. Other parts of the tower feature elements of Islamic architecture, confirming the tower’s hybrid design.
Different Sections of Azadi Square Contrary to what we might expect, Azadi Square isn’t just limited to a tower and its surroundings. Even I, as a Tehran resident, wasn’t very familiar with the interior space of the tower until I went there to see a play. I was amazed at the world that unfolds in the heart of Azadi Square. I’ll tell you more about this “world inside the tower” in this section!
Azadi Square’s Entrances Azadi Square connects to various parts of Tehran from all four directions. Heading north leads to Mohammad Ali Jinnah Highway, while going south takes you to Ayatollah Saidi Highway. To the east and west, it connects to Azadi Street and Lashkari Highway, respectively. Along with these streets and highways, Azadi Tower is one of the busiest and most important entry points into Tehran, constantly witnessing the daily travel of many visitors.
Hidden Attractions in the Basement of the Square Now, let’s explore the world inside the tower, which has many sections and attractions.
Cinema Hall The cinema hall inside Azadi Square is a small movie theater with 51 seats. It was established in 2009 and is primarily used for private screenings and art critiques.
Mirror Hall Mirror Hall is another part of the tower with 12 sections. It gets its name from the mirrors in these 12 sections, which enhance the appearance of the artworks displayed there. The hall showcases themes like oil, the environment, wildlife, urban planning, sports, and more.
Bustan Gallery Bustan Gallery is a large hall with a calm and well-lit atmosphere, making it an ideal space for art workshops and visual arts exhibitions.
Ethnology Gallery The Ethnology Gallery is a semi-circular space with 8 glass display cases, showcasing the culture and handicrafts from different regions of Iran. The gallery features dolls created by Behrooz Gharibpour, dressed in traditional clothing and holding items, awaiting visitors.
Reception Hall This space in Azadi Square, like many other places, serves as a reception hall for hosting press conferences and cultural ceremonies. The “Reception Hall” of Azadi Tower serves this purpose well.
Iranology Hall Iranology Hall aims to introduce Iran to visitors, but to be honest, it doesn’t quite achieve this. The hall features a U-shaped model with simplistic symbols and objects, presenting a rather cold narrative of Iran. The grand name “Iranology Hall” within the iconic Azadi Tower raised expectations that this would be a much more immersive experience.
Ancient Hall The Ancient Hall is essentially a museum where 25 glass display cases exhibit artifacts from the Sassanid, Achaemenid, Parthian, and some Islamic periods. The exhibition of Qajar-era women’s jewelry, previously housed in the Saadabad Palace Museum, has now been transferred to the Ancient Hall in Azadi Square.
Qajar Women’s Jewelry It’s interesting to know that when you enter this section, you are directly beneath Azadi Tower. The pathways between the floors (the elevators and staircases) are located within the Ancient Hall, enabling access to other levels. By the way, if you want to know more about Azadi Tower, there’s a store in this section selling not only handicrafts but also cultural products related to the tower.
Technology Hall
The Technology Hall in Azadi Square used to be more impactful and fascinating in the past. Perhaps it was because visitors weren’t as accustomed to seeing various forms of technology, which made them more excited and impressed.
For example, a humanoid robot playing the piano would have amazed many people in the past, holding their attention for a longer time. Today, however, with the rapid advancement of technology, it may not capture as much attention as it once did.
Multivision Hall
The Multivision Hall is the section that first led me to the interior of Azadi Tower. Multivision is a performance hall with excellent lighting, sound, and visuals, providing an ideal setting for theater and other forms of artistic expression.
The reason for naming the hall “Multivision” is its versatility for various uses, such as movie screenings, music concerts, conferences, and more.
Library
The Azadi Square Library may not be considered a reference center, but among its 11,000 books, there are 2,000 valuable sources on subjects like history, architecture, linguistics, and literature, which are frequently consulted.
Hall of Ancestors
This section is a corridor with unique lighting compared to other parts of the building, surrounded by glass display cases. These cases showcase historical artifacts from before the Common Era, which are certainly worth seeing.
The ambiance in the Hall of Ancestors might remind you of the crypts and corridors of ancient Iran.
First Floor of Azadi Square (Basement)
As I mentioned, the former Shahyad Tower, now known as Azadi Tower, has four floors, each with its own unique space and purpose. What can you find on the first floor of Azadi Square? All the sections I’ve described so far are located in the basement of Azadi Square. The basement is actually the main part of Azadi Tower, and all significant events take place there.
A Tour of the Second Floor of Azadi Tower
The second floor doesn’t have anything particularly interesting, as it is simply the area for changing elevators. If you look at the arch of Azadi Tower’s body from the outside (about 23 meters above ground level), you are essentially viewing the second floor of Azadi Square.
Attractions on the Third Floor of Azadi Tower
If you want to see more of the architecture and structure of Azadi Tower instead of the galleries and halls in Azadi Square, head to the third floor.
The third floor of Azadi Square is approximately 33 meters above the ground. When you look up, a concrete dome will catch your attention. The ceiling features a “Shamsa” design, through which sunlight beautifully streams into the building. If you are familiar with basic architectural principles, you’ll enjoy the beautiful blend of modern and traditional architecture.
The Top Floor, Beneath the Dome of Azadi Tower
The highest floor of Azadi Square is my favorite part of the tower. Although its height is not extreme, when you look out through the honeycomb windows facing north, south, east, and west, you feel momentarily separated from the daily hustle of people going back and forth on the streets. It’s definitely a pleasant experience.
Above this floor is the roof of the former Shahyad Tower. Although it’s unlikely that you’ll be allowed to enter this area, know that the ceiling above you is beautifully decorated with turquoise tiles, making the sky’s color reflect on it.
Visiting Azadi Square
The outdoor area of Azadi Square is open at all hours, welcoming visitors. However, if you plan to visit the interior, it is open every day (except during mourning days and Saturdays) from 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM.
Ticket prices vary depending on which sections you wish to visit.
Where is Azadi Square?
Azadi Square is located right next to the Western Tehran Bus Terminal. There are several routes to get to Azadi Square, including Azadi Street, Mohammad Ali Jinnah Street, Lashkari Highway, and Ayatollah Saeedi Street, which are the four main roads leading to the square.
Azadi Square: A Symbol of Tehran and Iran’s Striving for Freedom
The unique architecture, fascinating history, intriguing interior sections, and other features of Azadi Square are none as significant as the square’s symbolic nature. Perhaps it’s better to say that all these features have come together to make Azadi Square a full-fledged political symbol—a square with a tower that stands strong but cracked, more like us than anything else.
Given all the facilities inside Azadi Tower, it can be said that it’s easy to visit the tower and enjoy the rich architecture and art of that era.
