A Museum to Chronicle Iran’s Industrial Heritage: Unveiling the Narrative Plan of the Masjed Soleyman Oil Museum

As Iran marks the 117th anniversary of its first oil discovery, the conceptual narrative plan for the Masjed Soleyman Oil Museum has been unveiled—an initiative to preserve and celebrate one of the country’s oldest and most influential industrial legacies.

This project honors the era when black gold reshaped Iran’s trajectory and positioned Masjed Soleyman as the cradle of the Middle East’s oil industry.

Masjed Soleyman, the historic city that witnessed the first oil eruption in Iran back in 1908 (1287 in the Iranian calendar), is once again in the spotlight. This time, not for its burning oil fields, but as the focus of a cultural effort to safeguard and retell a complex and transformative history.

Coinciding with Iran’s National Oil Exploration Day, the initial phase of the museum’s development has now taken shape. Drawing on modern museology and digital technologies, the museum is designed to vividly illustrate the journey of oil—from deep within the Zagros Mountains to the heart of Iran’s industrial and economic growth. Every element, from the curation of historic artifacts and documents to the design of exhibitions, has been thoughtfully crafted with both artistic sensitivity and historical accuracy.

A dedicated team of experts and industrial heritage specialists has been assembled to oversee the development of the museum’s first phase. It is envisioned that in the near future, Masjed Soleyman will not only be recognized as the birthplace of Iran’s oil industry, but also as a dynamic cultural destination where visitors can engage with the stories, milestones, and challenges that shaped this pivotal chapter of Iran’s modern history.

A detailed report outlining the full scope of the project will be published soon. For now, what stands clear is a renewed focus on a city that once introduced oil to Iran—and is now preparing to honor and preserve its enduring legacy.