Shahyad Tower (now known as Azadi Tower) was originally planned as a monument to commemorate the 2,500-year celebrations of the Persian Empire, aiming to become a symbol of modern Iran. However, this landmark could have taken an entirely different path—or not existed at all.
In 1964, Senator Busheri, head of the Council for the 2,500-Year Celebrations, was instructed by the Shah to commission the design of a memorial gateway. The project was initially assigned to Bonyan Architectural Office, led by Amir Nosrat Monaghah. A few months later, Monaghah’s team—including Shariatzadeh, Mir Haidar, and Mohammad Tehrani—submitted a triumphal arch design to Busheri’s office. While the proposal met all necessary requirements, Generals Yazdanpanah and Jahanbani persuaded the Shah to reconsider his vision for the monument. This decision changed not only the fate of the project but also the life of a young graduate from the University of Tehran’s Faculty of Fine Arts.
Ultimately, an open architectural competition was announced. On September 1, 1966, Ettela’at newspaper published a front-page advertisement calling for architectural submissions for the design of Shahyad Aryamehr Tower, with a deadline of November 1, 1966.
For Hossein Amanat, a 25-year-old architect, the two months between September and November marked a turning point in his career. As Tehran transitioned into winter, Amanat found himself on the verge of recognition and success, edging closer to his architectural aspirations.
The Architectural Competition and Selection
A total of 21 architects participated in the competition, each presenting their design proposals on two large display boards. These submissions were exhibited in one of Sa’dabad Palace’s halls, where they were evaluated by a panel of judges. After thorough deliberation, Hossein Amanat’s design was declared the winner.
The designated land for the project spanned 375,122 square meters, transforming Amanat’s concept into one of the largest public squares in the world.
Hossein Amanat’s Architectural Journey
In 1960, at the age of 18, Hossein Amanat was admitted to the University of Tehran’s Faculty of Fine Arts, where he initially trained under Heydar Ghiai. At that time, the university’s curriculum was based on the French Beaux-Arts system, requiring students to work under a single mentor for six years. However, Amanat later switched to study under Hooshang Seyhoun, one of Iran’s most influential modern architects.
The Challenge of Sourcing the Right Stone
According to Hossein Amanat, one of the most critical challenges in constructing the monument was securing high-quality stone. To address this, he sought the expertise of Ghafar Davarpanah, known as the father of modern stone-cutting in Iran and the founder of the renowned Sakhara stone factory.
Through Davarpanah, Amanat was introduced to Ghanbar Rahimi, a legendary Iranian stone craftsman, who helped select and supply the finest, most durable stone for the tower’s construction.
A Monument That Stood the Test of Time
What began as a vision for a grand national landmark ultimately became one of Iran’s most recognized architectural symbols. Thanks to the ambition of a young architect, the craftsmanship of master Iranian stonemasons, and the dedication of hundreds of workers, Shahyad Tower—now known as Azadi Tower—remains a timeless masterpiece, embodying Iran’s rich cultural heritage and architectural ingenuity.
