Golsang (Lichens) Museum in Tehran

If you’re fascinated by the world of natural sciences, a visit to the Golsang (Lichens) Museum, located in the south of Tehran, will open your eyes to a unique, often overlooked, aspect of the environment: lichens.

Overview of the Golsang Museum

The Golsang Museum, situated in Tehran, Iran, is a specialized museum focused on the preservation and study of lichens. Established in 2012 under the supervision of the Organization for Scientific and Industrial Research, the museum currently houses about 600 lichen species, all playing a critical role in preventing dust and particle pollution. Lichens are also extensively used in medicinal applications and are key indicators of sustainable ecosystems.

Visiting the Golsang Museum

Located on the outskirts of the city, the museum provides a captivating experience for its visitors. Typically, a tour of the Golsang Museum will take between 1 to 2 hours. The museum is open daily, except for Tuesdays, from 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM. It is conveniently located at the Scientific and Industrial Research Centre, Azadegan Highway, Shahid Abolghasem Street, Shahid Ehsani Rad Street, Tehran.

Understanding Lichens

Lichens are unique organisms that are formed by a symbiotic relationship between a fungus and one or more photosynthetic partners, usually either a green alga or cyanobacterium. This association results in a composite organism that has a form and function distinct from its individual components.

Lichens, often seen as velvety patches on rocks and tree trunks, especially in the forests of Northern Iran, are fascinating organisms formed by the symbiotic relationship between fungi and one or two types of algae. They thrive in clean air environments, be it desert, polar, or forest habitats. There’s even a type of lichen that grows in water!

Lichens can endure extremely cold temperatures, as low as -60 degrees Celsius. Some grow only to a size of 1 millimeter, while others can live up to 4000 years! These hardy organisms play a significant role in cosmetics, healthcare, and pharmaceutical industries. In countries like Italy, lichens are used as reliable and non-manipulable indicators of air pollution.

Unfortunately, according to Dr. Sohrabi, the founder of the Golsang Museum, the potential of lichens is yet to be fully explored in Iran due to various challenges. However, the museum has a strong audience base among graduate and doctoral students who hope to further study and utilize these valuable organisms in various practical applications within the country.

The Golsang Museum is a place for everyone; there are no age restrictions for its visitors. It even warmly welcomes pre-school children, teaching them about the value of lichens in a language they can understand.

How to Get There

If you’re planning to visit by personal transportation, here are the directions:

Head straight on the Azadegan Highway until you reach Ahmadabad Mostofi Road. Continue straight until you reach Shahid Abolghasem Street.

Pass Parsa Square until you reach Enghelab Street. Once you get to Shahid Ehsani Rad Street, turn right. Take the first left turn and proceed straight until you reach the first road on your left. Continue on this road to reach the Golsang Museum located in the Scientific and Industrial Research Centre.

Or just use our map above!

Conclusion

Whether you’re a botany enthusiast or just someone interested in the unique natural wonders, the Golsang Museum offers an enlightening experience, highlighting the importance and potential of lichens in our environment. Check out our other articles here!