[IRAN] Tehran - Azadi Tower

Azadi Tower is one of the symbols in Tehran. Built in 1971 to commemorate the 2500th anniversary of the first Persian empire, it is reopened in 2006 after being closed for many years. It is located in Azadi Square which marks the west entrance to the city. The 148 foot tall tower is built with 8,000 blocks of white marble stone from the Isfahan Province.



Azadi Tower is located in the middle of a roundabout located in the heart of Tehran. Accessibility to Azadi Tower is easy. There’s a metro station nearby and plenty of taxis to bring you there.



You can cross the busy road by one of the many traffic lights or underground passageway.



Some shops at the underground passageway.



Azadi Tower is a major landmark of Tehran.



There are several fountains at the base of the tower.



Azadi Square was the scene of much protest during 1979 revolution and remain a focal for demonstration today.



The architect, Hossein Amanat, won a competition to design the monument, which combined elements of Sassanid and Islamic architecture.





The entrance of the tower is directly underneath the main vault and leads into the Azadi Museum on the basement floor.



Buying the ticket to enter the Azadi Museum. It cost 150,000 Iranian Rial or USD5 per person to enter Azadi Tower.



But first, we visit an exhibition hall which is included in the fee.



A travelator brings us around the hall.





Light exhibition of some of the states of Iran.





The 1st supreme leader of Iran, Ayatollah Khomeini.



Entering the Azadi Museum.





Taking a photo with an employee who was going to accompany us to take the lift to reach the top of the tower.



You can also go up to the top of tower taking the stairs.



A series of hexagon shape window on the top of the tower.



A panoramic view of Tehran from the observation level of Azadi Tower.



View of the Azadi Square and Tehran city.





City of Iran against the backdrop of Alborz Mountain range. The tall structure you see in the picture is Milad Tower.







Back to the basement where there are showcases placed here and there.



Souvenirs sold in Azadi Tower. I bought a small replica of Azadi Tower here. If you want to buy a souvenir of Azadi Tower, it’s better to buy it here because you won’t find it at any other place, not even at the Tehran Grand Bazaar.












Miniture of Azadi Tower.



Yep, a Malaysian flag amongst many others.



A robot playing the piano.









Guess the locals also like hanging around Azadi Square too.



Visiting Azadi Tower is a must while visiting Tehran. After visiting the Azadi Tower, I headed to visit another famous tower in Tehran, Milad Tower.