Italian Min. Tours National Museum Of Iran

Tehran, Jan 26, IRNA – Visiting Italian Minister of Culture and Tourism Massimo Bray toured different parts of the National Museum of Iran here on Sunday. Deputy head of Iranˈs Cultural Heritage, Tourism and Handicrafts Organization Mehdi Hojjat Qaem was accompanying Massimo Bray during his tour. The National Museum of Iran is the combination of two museums, the old ˈArchaeological Museum of Iranˈ, a break, Sasanian revival building designed by André Godard and inaugurated in 1937, and the modernistic white travertine National Arts Museum inaugurated in 1972. The two buildings are dedicated respectively to the pre-Islamic collection, while the new, travertine building contains post-Islamic artifacts. Together, they preserve ancient and medieval Persian antiquities including pottery vessels, metal objects, textiles, books, coins, etc. Massimo Bray, heading a delegation, arrived in Tehran late Friday evening on a four-day visit. The Italian delegation will depart for the southeastern Kerman province on Monday to visit the ancient city of Bam./end