Haj mirza tea house
Azadegan Tea House | The oldest tea house in Isfahan
There are almost few people who have traveled to Isfahan and have not heard the name of Haj Mirza well. Azadegan Tea House or Haj Mirza well is a Coffee House and one of the attractions of half the world, a place with a world of history and antiques. Chah Haj Mirza is the oldest coffee house in Isfahan which dates back to the Safavid period and is like a museum. On the walls of this coffee house are full of antiques, there are relics of the days of Taziyeh reading, Shahnameh reading and narration. In the past, people interested in various ceremonies such as Muharram, reading Shahnameh and reciting Taziyeh, donated items such as spears, beds (wooden boards), swords, iron hats, precious stones, paintings, iron armor, etc. to this coffee house.
Azadegan Tea House or Haj Mirza Coffee House, which, unlike most of tea houses, women are also allowed to enter. This cafe is not only spectacular in itself, but you can also eat nice teas, doogh and Gooshfilis and delicious daizi.
You may be wondering why this coffee house is named Haj Mirza Coffee House? You should know that Haj Mirza was the name of the owner of the well that existed in this place. It is interesting to know that at the time of its establishment and in the Safavid period, this place was called Khaste khaneh (a place fpr tired people). The reason for this nomination is also quite clear. Men used to come to this coffee shop to relieve their tiredness and get rid of their tiredness by drinking tea.
Over time, this coffee house took on different names. After Khaste khane, it was called the Parrot House. It later became a tea house and eventually a coffee shop. For several years it was known as Chah Haj Mirza Coffee House. But today the locals call it the house of Haj Mirza.
In the past, coffee houses were not only a place to relax and drink tea, but also a group gathering place. It has long been a custom in coffee shops to perform Taziyeh and narration. This custom was common until a few years ago and now only antique items are left from that period. Azadegan Tea House or Chah Haj Mirza was no exception to this rule. Its proximity to Naghsh-e Jahan square has always attracted a large population. For this reason, the market of reciting taziyeh and reading Shahnameh has always been popular in it. Now you can see the remains of this ceremony today. You can see antique objects on the door and wall of the coffee shop.
