Teheran is the capital of Iran and the second largest metropolitan area in the middle east after Cairo, with approx 15 million people. It was first made the capital in the late 18th century and hosts many former royal complexes, many of which are today museums.
In the 1920s and 30s, under the rule of Rezi Shah of the Pahlavi dynasty, the city underwent major reconstruction in which streets were widened and many old landmarks demolished.
Rapid development of Teheran continued in the 1960s and 70s under the son of Reza Shah, Mohammad Rezi Shah, including the construction of the famous Teheran landmark, the Azadi Tower.
Teheran sits on the side of a mountain with the upper class neighbourhoods in the north part of the city, where it is possible to escape the chaos and heat of the city in the summer months. Winter can be harsh with snow and sub-zero temperatures. There are ski resorts within reach of the city.
These photos taken at: Golestan Palace, a former royal palace first built in the 16th century; the Sa’dabad Complex, another royal palace set in huge gardens; Tabiat Bridge, a large pedestrian overpass linking two parks and popular spot for weekend strolling and people watching, and; the former US Embassy, the site of the revolution and hostage crisis of 1979, now a museum.
Click on the thumbnails to enlarge the images.
