Castle Map

Palace

Sa'dabad Palace

Iran · 19th century

Founded
c. 1850
Architect
Eugene Aftandelians, Hossein Behzad
Heritage status
Iranian National Heritage
Location
Tehran
Coordinates
35.81722°, 51.42361°
Links
OpenStreetMap · Wikimedia Commons
Open on the map →Official website ↗Wikipedia ↗
Sa'dabad Palace in Iran
Photo: Ahura21 · CC BY-SA 3.0 · Wikimedia Commons

Description

The Sa'dabad Complex (Persian: مجموعه سعدآباد, romanized: Majmue Saadābād) is an 80 hectare complex built by the Qajar and Pahlavi monarchs, located in Shemiran, Greater Tehran, Iran. Today, the official residence of the President of Iran is located adjacent to the complex.

The complex includes natural forest, streets, qanats, galleries, mansions/palaces, and museums.

The complex was initially built and inhabited in the 19th century by the Qajar shahs. After extensive expansions, Reza Shah of the Pahlavi dynasty resided there from the 1920s until his exile in 1941. His son, Mohammad Reza Shah, moved there in the 1970s. In 1978, President Jimmy Carter stayed in the palace during a visit to Iran to guarantee U.S. support for the regime.

After the 1979 Revolution, the complex became a public museum. On 17 March 2026, multiple palaces in the complex were damaged by shockwaves from airstrikes in the 2026 Iran war.

Large parts of the complex are museums, which are accessible to visitors. Other parts are currently used by the Office of the President of the Islamic Republic of Iran. The complex is operated by the Cultural Heritage Organization of Iran.

Nezamie Gate, from which Reza Shah would enter the complex.

Zaferanie Gate, Currently used by the presidency organization.

Gate of Darband Street, from which Mohammad Reza Shah would enter the complex. Gate of Darband Square Ja'far Abad Gate (1st) Ja'far Abad Gate (2nd) River Gate The White House Gate

Ahmad Shah Qajar Palace (not to be confused with the Pavilion of Ahmad Shah Qajar in the Niavaran Complex) The Green Palace (also known as the Shahvand House) The White Palace The White Palace Museum, former official residence of Shah Mohammad Reza Shah and Shahbanu Farah.

Museum of Natural History The Special Palace, currently used by the presidency organization.

Museum of Fine Arts The Black Palace Museum of Anthropology Princess Shams' Palace, named after Shams Pahlavi.

Museum of Glassware and Handicrafts Princess Ashraf's Palace, named after Ashraf Pahlavi.

Building of the Amendment 36 (a governmental agency) Prince Gholam Reza's Palace, named after Gholam Reza Pahlavi.

Palace of the King's Mother Currently used by the presidency organization. Prince Ahmad Reza's Palace, named after Ahmad Reza Pahlavi. Currently used by the presidency organization.

Text adapted from “Sa'dabad Complex” on Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0.

In the rankings

Sa'dabad Palace ranks #373 of 9,902 worldwide in the atlas's castle fame ranking, and #6 of the 174 mapped in Iran. Founded c. 1850, it is older than 8% of the atlas's dated landmarks, one of 782 atlas entries founded in the 19th century. Its Wikipedia articles were opened 13,957 times in the last 60 days, more than 96% of the atlas. 7 more atlas landmarks stand within 25 km. The nearest day-trip guide is Tehran, 15 km away. See how Iran compares in the castle statistics.

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