Holy Defense Museum: The Untold Stories of War

The Holy Defense Museum is recognized as one of the most significant national museums in Iran and stands among the largest war-focused museums within the Islamic world. It includes relics from the Iran-Iraq War and the era of the Islamic Revolution. Owing to the collection of artifacts kept in this museum, it is also referred to as the National Museum of the Islamic Revolution and Holy Defense.

Considering the significance of this garden museum, it is acknowledged among Iranians as a cultural hub in Tehran, the capital of Iran.

Established in 2004, this museum is situated inside a garden that also accommodates other cultural facilities, such as a bookstore, a large national library, an art garden, and other collections.  Stay with us to discover more about the different areas of the Holy Defense Museum.

Overview of the Different Areas of the Holy Defense Museum

The Holy Defense Museum spans a vast area, with a foundation covering 205,000 square meters. In the museum’s outdoor area and courtyard, you can see stunning trees and plants. 

The designers of this complex created a beautiful artificial lake and picturesque pathways resembling a garden path to elevate its charm.  It is fascinating to learn that over this artificial lake, videos and images can also be projected.

Interior Areas of the Holy Defense Museum

Within the museum, there are various distinct areas. You will discover two museums, multiple conference rooms, a film studio, an art gallery, exhibition areas, a mosque, a library, and publishing services. To gain a deeper insight, we have introduced various sections of the museum below.

Introducing the two main parts of the Holy Defense Museum

Within the building, there are different themed museums. In this collection, you will see the effective use of modern technology, which is trying to introduce the history of Islamic Iran after the great revolution led by Imam Khomeini. Every year, temporary events and exhibitions related to Islam and the internal war between Iran and Iraq are held in close proximity to or within the museum.

Main Museum

This museum was inaugurated in 2012. In this place the events and occurrences of the Islamic Revolution and Holy Defense are depicted using modern technology. This Museum consists of seven halls, each complementing the others.

Martyr Qasem Soleimani Museum

This section was added following the martyrdom of Qasem Soleimani. The goal of this museum is to provide a deeper understanding of the Resistance Front, from its initial formation to its evolution and expansion. This museum includes 12 different sections, each focusing on a specific aspect of resistance. For example, one section deals with enemy recognition, while others focus on Iraq, holy sites, Palestine, and various other topics.

Permanent exhibit in Military Attire

This exhibition showcases documents pertaining to the correspondence of Iran’s current leader, Ayatollah Khamenei, from the time of the Sacred Defense period. This exhibition also features a narrative from him concerning the war. This exhibition was founded under the presidency of Shahid Raisi in 2023 (1403 AH).

Fakkeh Exhibition Space

This area of the National Museum of the Islamic Revolution and Holy Defense displays art associated with the Islamic Revolution and the Iran-Iraq War that was imposed. The pieces of art are exhibited in an area of 500 square meters. In this gallery, we also observe the implementation of artistic workshops.

Conference Halls

The museum features halls and conference rooms where seminars on the war are held, along with screenings of documentaries and films related to the Iran-Iraq War. One of the most important halls is named the Persian Gulf. Other available amphitheater halls in this museum include Hall of Hovizeh, Azadegan, Sosangerd, and the meeting hall of Qasr-e Shirin. We will further introduce the most important ones below.

Persian Gulf Hall

In this hall, various seminars and ceremonies on war topics are held. The latest world-class technology is employed here, including advanced lighting projectors for displaying films and photos. Note that the capacity of this conference hall is 460 people.

Howeyzeh Conference Hall

This hall is equipped with an advanced film screening system, various microphones, and internet access. The capacity of this hall is also 121 people.

Accommodations Close to the Holy Defense Museum

Close to this museum, there are places to stay and eat. Notable hotels near the museum feature Eram, Kourosh, Homa, and Pariz.

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Visiting the Holy Defense Museum

The Sacred Defense Museum can be found in the Abbas Abad region along Shahid Haqani Highway.
To reach the museum, you could use the metro, a taxi, or BRT. If you are taking the metro, it is advised to get off at Haqani Station on Line 1 of the Tehran Metro. After a short walk, you will reach the museum building. 

If you are driving, a well-equipped parking area is available, making it simple to park your vehicle. The museum invites visitors from 11 AM until 6 PM.

Location

Finish it up

The Holy Defense Museum holds great significance for individuals interested in subjects like resistance and warfare, especially the imposed war between Iran and Iraq. If you are interested in examining and analyzing the Islamic Revolution and Iran’s eight-year war, we suggest visiting this complex. In addition to the museum, you may also utilize its other sections, such as the library, publishing house, galleries, and conference halls, and explore the different areas as needed.

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