The ongoing problem of the ownership of Morvarid Palace in Mehrshahr, Alborz Province is still nowhere close to being resolved, according to a deputy at Iran’s Cultural Heritage, Handicrafts, and Tourism Organization (ICHHTO), Persian daily Donya-e Eghtesad reported.
According to Asadolah Darvish Amiri, the provincial ICHHTO has spent around 10 billion rials ($300,000) on the palace’s maintenance since the day it was placed in the organization’s custody.
“The issue of the palace’s ownership needs to come to a conclusion as soon as possible,” he stressed, adding that the ancient trees in palace’s courtyard are in need of expert care which requires a hefty sum of money.
He urged officials to resolve the issue as swiftly as possible, and added, “The ICHHTO is unable to allocate a specific budget for the building’s maintenance until the ownership predicament is solved.” He did not elaborate.
The governor-general of Alborz Province Seyyed Hamid Tahaei has suggested repurposing the palace to be used as a museum, a notion welcomed by the ICHHTO.
“The organization supports the proposal and is ready to provide the necessary budget to turn Morvarid Palace into a museum worthy of Alborz Province,” Darvish Amiri noted.
Construction of Morvarid Palace (literally: Pearl Palace) was completed in 1972, and was only recognized as a cultural site in 2002.
Due to years of negligence, the palace has succumbed to erosion and is in need of repairs.
