National Garden, Tehran

The National Garden or Ministry of Foreign Affairs Gate is a historical and governmental compound in Tehran, Iran.
Formerly referred to as the Parade Square, it used to be a military shooting range during the Qajar era. It was then turned into a public park for a short period, and eventually important governmental offices and museums were built around it.
Building number 9 of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the University of Art, Malek National Museum and Library, Post and Communication Museum, and the National Museum are situated in the compound.

History

The field was first constructed as a shooting practice range, during the Qajar era. It was used for the military garrison, and the Persian Cossack Brigade practiced military parade in it. During the reign of Naser al-Din Shah Qajar, the range was developed with a new building named the Cossack House, which was later somewhat transformed during the reign of Mozaffar ad-Din Shah Qajar.
During the Pahlavi era and during the rule of Reza Shah, the range was turned into a modern public park for a short period, and the famous gate of the compound was built by Mirza Mehdi Khan Shaghaghi before World War II. Eventually, important governmental buildings were built around the compound; such as the "Police House" which was built for the Shahrbani, an organization responsible for maintaining security in the city.