TEHRAN – Golestan Palace, a UNESCO World Heritage site in central Tehran, will begin reopening its museums and historic buildings in stages starting Sept. 23, the site’s director said on Sunday.

Afarin Emami, director of the palace complex, said the first stage will include buildings without major museum objects or those where exhibits can be arranged quickly.

These include the Marble Throne and its related spaces, Emarat-e Badgir (“Windcatcher Edifice”), the first floor of Shams-ol Emareh, and Karim Khani nook. A carpet exhibition will also reopen in the Shams-ol Emareh building.

Emami said museums housing objects would reopen later, once conservation and restoration work is completed. The second stage will include the Anthropology Museum, the Diamond Hall, the Howz Khaneh Museum, Salam Hall and the Brilliant Hall.

She added that the temporary closure allowed staff to carry out extensive conservation, safety and security projects. These included upgrading surveillance systems, improving storage protection, repainting buildings and restoring architectural decorations. Some movable cultural objects were also sent for repair, delaying the reopening of certain areas.

“Each museum that is ready will reopen immediately with prior public announcement,” Emami said.

The reopening was approved by Ali Darabi, deputy minister of Iran’s Cultural Heritage, Tourism and Handicrafts Organization.

Golestan Palace, inscribed on UNESCO’s World Heritage list in 2013, is known for its Persian architecture, gardens and collections of art and artifacts. It was among many museums and heritage sites across Iran that closed during the 12-day Israeli-imposed war on Iran earlier this year.

AM