Gheytarieh

Shariati street lower Qeytarieh intersection.

Qeytarieh (also spelled Gheytarieh) is a neighbourhood in northern Tehran, located within the larger Shemiran district. Qeytarieh has a park with the same name.

Qeytarieh's neighbouring districts are Niavaran, Kamranieh, Farmanieh, Elahieh and Tajrish. The reason for the formation of this neighborhood, like most of others neighborhoods in Shemiranat, can be considered as agriculture and horticulture. Most of the people who settled the neighborhood came here from the city of Borujerd from the Lorestan province ^[1]

Notable people

Morteza Pashaei was a musician that lived in Gheytariyeh.

Gheytarieh Park

Qeytarieh Park.

Gheytarieh Park is one of the parks located in the northern part of Tehran, situated in the Gheytarieh neighborhood within District Seven of Tehran Municipality's Region 1.

This park is located to the north of Sadr Highway and at the end of Gheytarieh Street. It is bordered to the north by Farmanieh, to the south by Pirouz Square and Sadr Highway, to the east by Chizar, and to the west by Gheytarieh and Shariati Street.

History

Background

In the past, Gheytarieh Park was a garden owned by the half-sister of Naser al-Din Shah Qajar. According to historical accounts, Amir Kabir, Mirza Taghi Khan, constructed the building that now serves as the cultural center and library of the park, located in the northwest corner of the park.

Initially, this garden had a forest-like texture. In 1977, Tehran's then-mayor, Gholamreza Nikpey, who was the maternal grandson of Prince Zell-e Soltan, a son of Naser al-Din Shah, converted the large Gheytarieh garden into a park. This was achieved by donating a portion of his inherited land, purchasing, and consolidating the remaining parts of the garden owned by the heirs of the Sadiq ol-Dowleh, descendants of the Qajar dynasty, and the son-in-law of Mirza Ali Asghar Atabak, also known as Mirza Ali Asghar Khan Abdar.

This is why Gheytarieh Park has an irregular layout and covers an area of about 103,000 square meters, with its flowerbeds and lawns complementing the dense, old trees, giving it a unique charm. ^[2]

In 1977, parts of Gheytarieh Garden were handed over to Tehran Municipality by its heirs to be converted into a park. In 1993, the remaining areas of this garden were added to Gheytarieh Park, and the building was renovated and repurposed as the Mellat Cultural Center.

Construction of Mosque

In 2023, news surfaced about the Tehran Municipality's intention to construct a mosque in Gheytarieh Park. This sparked media controversy and faced widespread opposition. Some claimed the presence of ancient relics at the site was one motivation for the mosque's construction, while others considered the project baseless, given the abundance of mosques in the area.

Eventually, the plan to build the mosque in Gheytarieh Park was halted and abandoned. ^{[3] [4]}

A view of a structure inside the park

Specifications

The park's pool has an irregular geometric shape. The tree species in the park include elm, pine, silver cedar, ash tree, acacia, oak, walnut, hackberry, maple, mulberry, weeping willow, plane tree, poplar, magnolia, cedrus, and Norway spruce; shrubs include hawthorn, tree narcissus, barberry, sumac, dogwood, and tamarisk near the southern entrance of the park. ^[5]

In some parts of Gheytarieh Park, gazebos have been installed where locals and visitors can gather and spend their leisure time. Activities such as group games are common, and in some gazebos, people can be seen enjoying these games together. Watching these group activities is one of the most enjoyable pastimes for park visitors. During spring and autumn, the park's natural beauty makes it one of the best photography spots in Tehran. ^[6]

Due to its numerous interwoven paths, the park provides a suitable environment for various sports. ^[7]

Amenities

• Mellat Cultural Center: Located in Gheytarieh Palace, Mellat Cultural Center began its operations in 1993. It offers educational and artistic activities along with facilities such as a library and educational classes.
• Art Gallery: The Mellat Art Gallery (or Amir Kabir Gallery) hosts domestic and international exhibitions within Gheytarieh Park.
• Recreational Facilities: 6D Cinema, children's playground, skating rink and lessons, and sports equipment.
• Welfare Facilities: Coffee shop, buffet, prayer room, pond, water storage tank, gazebos, and restrooms.
• Urban Animal Feeding Machine: This machine dispenses food for animals when users insert empty water or beverage bottles into the designated slot, triggering a sensor to release a specific amount of food into the tray below.

Mellat Cultural Center and Gallery

The Mellat Cultural Center, situated in the heart of Gheytarieh Park, started operating in 1994 and has become an important cultural, artistic, and educational hub for Gheytarieh residents. The center features facilities such as a library, gallery, conference hall, and various educational classrooms. ^[8]

The cultural center hosts a variety of programs, including events related to national and religious celebrations like Yalda Night and Nowruz, cultural weeks featuring different countries and cities, poetry readings, painting and children's theater, parenting workshops, 3D children's exhibitions, film and book reviews, and more.

In addition to cultural events, the center offers educational classes on topics such as animation, writing, storytelling, English, acting, and directing, enhancing the quality of its services. ^[9]

The Mellat Gallery (Amir Kabir) hosts domestic and international exhibitions to connect with artists and showcase their work. ^[5] In 2000, the Mellat Cultural Center suffered a fire but was later restored and now operates in its current form.

Sections of Mellat Cultural Center

• Culture Hall: Covering 110 square meters with a 24-square-meter stage, this hall is used for ceremonies, performances, film screenings, musical events, and celebrations. It includes 85 fixed seats, with space to add up to 30 more.
• Gallery and Exhibition Hall: Located at the entrance of the cultural center, the gallery hosts weekly events for artists and visitors. Entry to the gallery is free, but those intending to display their work must submit a CD of their art to the gallery manager.
• Education Unit: This unit organizes various artistic, scientific, and cultural classes for different age groups, offering over 50 class titles and seasonal services to the public.
• Community Unit: Collaborating with the municipality, this unit oversees the organization of NGOs and community groups. One notable group is the Culture and Life Association. ^[10]

Access Routes

• **Taxi:** Direct taxis from Chizar or Tajrish Square provide access to Gheytarieh Park.
• **BRT (Bus Rapid Transit):** To reach Gheytarieh Park via BRT, disembark at the Gheytarieh station.
• **Private Vehicle:** The park is accessible via Shariati Street, Andarzgoo Boulevard, or Sadr Highway. Streets like Ketabi, 35-Metri Gheytarieh, and Mehrmohammadi-Jonubi are suitable for parking.
• **Metro:** Gheytarieh Metro Station provides access to the park. From this station, the park's entrance is about two kilometers away, roughly a 30-minute walk or a short taxi ride.

References

1. "Qeytariyeh قیطریه – Iran Gazetteer" . Retrieved 2023-05-17.
2. "Gheytarieh Park".
3. Iran, Asr (2024-04-03). "What is Tehran Municipality pursuing in Gheytarieh Park? Building a mosque where ancient artifacts might exist? (Video)". fa (in Persian). Retrieved 2024-04-03.
4. Iran, Asr (2024-04-03). "Examining the Construction of a Mosque in Gheytarieh Park from a Jurisprudential Perspective". fa (in Persian). Retrieved 2024-04-03.
5. "Gheytarieh Park". Tehran Parks and Green Spaces Organization. Archived from the original on March 5, 2016. Retrieved August 16, 2015.
6. "Gheytarieh Park".
7. "Gheytarieh Park". Ketab-e Avval. Archived from the original on October 16, 2011. Retrieved July 22, 2011.
8. "Region 1, Tehran Municipality". Mellat Cultural Center. Archived from the original on March 16, 2016. Retrieved October 15, 2019.
9. "Gheytarieh Park Tehran | Address, Photos, and Introduction (2021)". Karnaval ☀️ Travel Guide | karnaval (in Persian). Retrieved 2021-07-29.
10. "Gheytarieh Park Tehran | Address, Photos, and Introduction (2021)". Karnaval ☀️ Travel Guide | karnaval (in Persian). Retrieved 2021-07-29.

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