Isfahan Music Museum

Isfahan is one of Iran’s most emblematic cities for art and culture. But it’s not just about beautiful architecture and great history. One of the finest Persian art forms is music, with a rich history of traditional music and instruments, and the Isfahan Music Museum is the best place to discover the rich musical culture of Iran.

Isfahan always played an important part in the development of traditional Iranian music. Indeed, the “bayat-e Isfahan” is a melodic piece of traditional music that is among the most famous, while many famous musicians were from Isfahan, such as the singer Taj Esfahani and the ney player Hassan Kassai.

Isfahan Music Museum is thus a must-see for those who are passionate about music and Persian culture, but also for novices who will have the opportunity to discover a large variety of instruments, their history, how they are made, and even be lucky enough to attend live performances and try playing some instruments themselves.

Visit the Isfahan Music Museum

Opened in December 2005, Isfahan Music Museum is a private museum which was founded by two renowned musicians: Mehrdad Jeihooni and Shahriar Shokrani. To build their amazing collection, the two musicians have gathered during 20 years more than 300 traditional Iranian instruments coming from various regions of Iran as well as other countries, some of which are more than 150 years old.

Some instruments displayed in the museum are also unique because of their design, as they are decorated with fine miniatures and unique adornments. It’s the case, for instance, with Zamani’s inlaid tar, Shegarfi’s turquoise setar, or the wooden tombak of Qazi Asgar.

The museum is divided into five sections. The first one is the Hall of National Instruments. It shows the visitors a large variety of traditional instruments commonly used all over Iran. It includes pieces such as tar, daf, chang, kamancheh, santoor, and ghanun. The visitors will discover the characteristics and history of these instruments, some of which are the ancestor of modern musical instruments such as violin and guitar.

The second section of the museum is the Hall of Regional Instruments. In that area, visitors can discover less-known instruments, which are specifically used in a particular region of Iran. This area is followed by the Music House Museum which is dedicated to introducing the most famous Iranian music players, with a focus on music masters from Isfahan.

Then, one of the most singular and interesting sections of the museum is the Instrument Factory. In that room, the visitors will have the chance to observe how traditional instruments are built, from the materials to the techniques used to assemble them. Eventually, the Home of Music is another highlight of the music, as experienced and sometimes renowned musicians perform live and visitors are also invited to test these instruments themselves.

After the visit of Isfahan Music Museum, visitors can spend some time in the museum’s cafes located in a cosy courtyard, buy some interesting souvenirs at the gift shop, and even take pictures with traditional Persian clothes and instruments!

Access to Isfahan Music Museum

Isfahan Music Museum is located on Mehrdad Street (Shahid Ghandi), in the Armenian Quarter of Isfahan, Jolfa, just a few streets away from Vank Cathedral. As there is no metro station nearby and it’s a bit far away from Naqshe Jahan Square, the best way to access Isfahan Music Museum is by taxi.

• Address: No.74, Mehrdad Street, Tohid Street
• Phone number: 0098 31 3625 6912
• Website: www.isfahanmusicmuseum.com

Cost and Visit Time for Isfahan Music Museum

The entrance fee to Isfahan Music Museum is 6,5€ while the average visit time is about one hour and a half. The museum is open every day from 9 AM to 1 PM and from 3:30 to 9 PM.

Nearby Attractions to Isfahan Music Museum

Isfahan Music Museum is located in the southern part of Zayandeh Rud river, in the Armenian Quarter of Jolfa. This neighborhood is one of the busiest and most popular areas of Isfahan, with many cafes, galleries, and shops. The Vank Cathedral is located in Jolfa, near the Isfahan Music Museum, and is a must-see for anyone visiting Isfahan. Within the Cathedral is a museum commemorating the Armenian Genocide. The museum is also located at a close distance from the iconic Si-o-Se Pol Bridge (2 kilometers south, about half an hour on foot).

Hotels Near Isfahan Music Museum

Travelers to Isfahan will find many hotels located in Jolfa, near the Isfahan Music Museum. Here are some of our favorites:

• Armenia Hotel
• Keshish House
• Persian Kowsar Hotel
• Chehel Panjereh Hotel

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Nearby Restaurants to Isfahan Music Museum

Jolfa neighborhood is a popular area for eating out and grabbing a cup of coffee. You will find plenty of options while walking in the street, but here are some of the most popular restaurants nearby:

• Simon Pavillon Restaurant
• Lotus
• Arakhan Restaurant
• Akhtamar Café