TEHRAN - After 51 months of closure, the Treasury of National Jewels has reopened its doors to the public, following extensive criticism and numerous rumors about the status of its artifacts.

Located in downtown Tehran, the museum, which houses some of the world's most unique and valuable jewels, resumed operations on Monday, much to the delight of eager visitors.

It was closed in March 2019 due to the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic. In the time of closure, some speculation about the security and integrity of the collection was raised, with rumors, including claims that two significant crowns had been stolen by the Pahlavi dynasty.

Now, after four years and three months, the museum is welcoming back the public, drawing large crowds eager to witness Iran's most dazzling and priceless collection.

According to Mehr news agency, the museum's severe security measures still remain in place, requiring visitors to surrender all personal belongings, including bags and mobile phones, and prohibiting photography. Guided tours are conducted in small groups, with each guide providing detailed explanations about the exhibits. The tours typically last between 30 and 40 minutes.

“The museum guides, who had not hosted tourists for several years, were more welcoming and responsive to visitors' repeated questions.”

Many inquiries focused on the Kiani and Pahlavi crowns and the surrounding rumors, to which the guides reassured them that all items were intact and in their rightful place.

 As mentioned by Mehr, there were allegations that two royal crowns, adorned with 5,000 diamonds, 50 emeralds, and 368 pearls of inestimable value, had been taken out of the country by the Pahlavi family during the final days of their reign. However, before the museum reopened, Minister of Cultural Heritage Ezzatollah Zarghami visited the museum, and then revealed images of the crowns and confirmed that the entire collection was secure.

Affiliated with the Central Bank of Iran, the Treasury of National Jewels not only showcases Iran's cultural heritage but also serves as the legal custodian of Iranian National Jewels.

AM