Visiting Hours: Sat until Thurs 9-13- 14-17

Address: Hafte tir Square. Bahar Shiraz St

Phone: 00982188848993

 Museum Manager: Mojgan  Tarighi

Museum Expert: leyla Zandi

Gallery Expert: Shabnam Valipour

The City photo museum is a part of the world collection for history of photography. It belongs to all Iranians who are willing to protect their cultural heritage and show an interest in Photography and the eventful history of photography in Iran. This museum was founded with the purpose of accumulating and safeguarding the historical heritage of photography as well as providing professional opportunities for education and researchin the field.Although in classifications this museum is considered a specialized organization, it plays a valuable role in historical, scientific,artistic, anthropological, functional and qualitative aspects of this field. The very first museum in Iran was established in Golestan Palace, at the time of Nasser Al-Din Shah’s reign. He regularly followed the news and progresses in other countries and once he saw pictures of the world’s museums decided to turn the Salam Hall in Golestan Palace into a place for collecting the valuable bits and pieces in the royal court. Soon in 1290(the Lunar calendar) he decided to turn it into a museum similar to the great museums in the world. He ordered the renovation of the northern buildings of the Golestan Palace and built a new museum and the related facilities there.

This museum contained collections of antique pieces that were gathered during Qajar era. After that many official museums were founded in Iran.

This brief introduction is to show that the history of museums and the history of photography in Iran both begin with Qajar era(see History of Photography).

The first photographer's studio (just like the first museum in Iran), was set up in Golestan Palace. And was called: His Royal Highness’ Photography Studio.Photography has had a long adventurous journey in this country, that hasmade it a basis for forming a specialized museum, now called the "city photo museum”.Akasskhaneh is a name for photography studios in the old time Iran and the city photos museum(Akskhaneh)is named accordingly. This museum is managed under the supervision of thedepartment of culture and arts in Tehran’s municipality. And is one of the specialized and professional museums in Iran.

The renovation and construction project for this museum started at 1373(Iranian solar calendar) and was inauguratein spring of 1374 (Iranian solar calendar) on the international day of museums.The facility covers 250 square meters. Since this museum is responsible for collection, protection, research and exhibition of the heritage of photos and photography in Iran, it makes this museum an excellent professional place for all matters related to this field.

This museum with the subject of photography heritage in Iran includes photos, plates, negatives, cameras and the other tools of the craft for photography and print and its activities are research oriented as well as being educational, cultural and informative. However it's important to understand that for obvious reasons and to maintain and protect the valuable collections in the museum, it is not possible to lend out photo collections or other articles for research and investigation. However, the researchers are welcome to use the printed version of the photos and the detailed pamphlets on the cameras, etc. provided by our publication unit.  We are hoping that with these efforts the researchers would find the information they need, also the museum personnel are always ready to answer the questions of the visitors and researchers. This museum is trying to attract a broader range of audience and provide the basis for promoting tourism and work hard on solving any short comings in the process.