Azadi Tower, previously known as Shahyad, is the first symbol of Tehran which was built prior to Milad Tower, also most of the people consider it as the original iconic symbol of Tehran. This sophisticated structure is a great example of Iran’s contemporary architecture masterpiece which was built from 1969 until 1971.
This majestic building is situated in the middle of the Azadi Square. The architecture of the tower is a fusion of the Achaemenes, Sassanid and Islamic architectural elements. For instance, the elliptical design of the tower is an inspiration from the Taq Kasra arch. The lower section of the tower is dedicated to a museum, a library, a gallery and an Iranology hall.
Azadi Tower is near one of the Tehran’s entries that happens to be the road for numerous amount of intercity and intracity travels. Azadi square and tower contain an exceptional design and unique architecture. You might notice the Iranian architectural elements and features such as Persian Gardens, Chahar Taqi, framing and various types of tilework in the design of the structure.
Azadi square is a 50000 square meters elliptical area which encompasses the tower’s structure along the Eastern-Western axis and is located approximately on the one-third eastern part of it. In fact, this vast square is the second largest square of Iran after the Naqsh-e Jahan Square. Both the square and the tower were designed simultaneously and built and at the same time.
The architect of this masterpiece was trying to demonstrate the brilliant history of Iran in this magnificent building so that anyone who visits Iran, would perceive the rich culture of this land deeply with their first glance at the Azadi Tower. Your eyes will be intoxicated with the whimsical elegance of not only the exterior view of the building, but also by the interior parts of it. Two floors of the tower are situated on top of the main arche and below the dome, the only way to access them is through the elevators. The upper floor has white concrete dome, adorned with Muqarnas, Iranian Marquetry and turquoise tile works. Usage of white concrete in those times was a modern architectural feature and a sign of modernity in Iran.
An intriguing fact about the extraordinary features of the Azadi Tower is that the free spaces in the various parts of the tower are not limited and they are connected visually to the other sections and even the sky and the outer part of the tower through apertures and gaps.
Hence, whenever you look up at the ceiling, you’ll be able to see the upper floors through the apertures and holes that can be found on every corner of each floor’s ceiling, reaching to the top in different ways.
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