Rural Heritage Museum of Gilan

By establishing Gilan Rural Heritage Museum, some delicate architectural treasures and old cultural traditions of the local people has been saved from different social and natural threats, such as the very humid weather, disasters like heavy earthquake of 1990 (main cause for starting such a project), modernistic ideas of the present era people to have modern apartments.

While in Gilan Rural Heritage Museum you will be informed by the professional guides there that Gilan has a great cultural and architectural background leading to diversity in the design and building of the houses and cottages. The diversity created by various ethnic groups such as Gilaks, Taleshi, Turkish and Kurdish people all being inhabitant of the province. There is no way to cover the whole province to discover all the architectural types and different cultures, if it wasn’t for this museum that has made it possible.

So nature, history, culture and lots of local touches await travelers and all these need a couple of hours to be covered. A long walk inside the real jungle, enjoying the exploration of rural living environment and vernacular architecture.

Gilan Rural Heritage Museum is divided to nine cultural-architectural areas each represented by a village-like area. These 9 villages represent the architecture and cultures of the mountains in eastern and western parts of the province, eastern and western foothills, eastern and western plains, central plains as well as eastern and western coasts. Moreover, the tea farms and rice fields being cultivated just like the traditional manners. And if lucky, travelers can have the chance to take part in some festivals, live folklore music, traditional wedding ceremonies, and the New Year ceremony (Nowruz).

Just remember you are in Rasht, the UNESCO creative city of gastronomy! So how can you avoid Mirza Qassemi, Torshi Tareh, Baqli Qatuq, Morgh-e Torsh and Fesenjan, served in the traditional restaurants of the museum in open air and cozy atmosphere.

Another interesting activity is trying the traditional costumes of Gilan and taking photos. This will be a good souvenir of the museum. You can also spend some time in handicrafts workshops and markets and maybe buy some as souvenirs.

You should take a private car from Rasht to reach Gilan Rural Heritage Museum or if you are heading Rasht from Tehran, you can just avoid entering Rasht directly and visit here, first. However, a knowledgeable professional local driver/tour guide of Marcopolo can be the best choice to fully understand what you are seeing. So as mentioned earlier, while walking in Gilan Rural Heritage Museum, it feels like you are walking and enjoying the whole Gilan Province. Moreover, when you are in Rasht, you can also visit Shahrdari Cultural Promenade, go to Masuleh or Rudkhan Castle and so many other attractions. Just Contact Marcopolo Iran Tours via incoming@iranmarcopolo.com for more information on tours including Gilan Rural Heritage Museum or other attractions in Gilan or simply ask for these attractions to be included in your Private Tour among other cities you are going to visit.