Ernest Holtzer Historical House

Ernest Holtzer was a German engineer and pioneering photographer of the late 19th century. He came to Iran during the reign of Naser al-Din Shah Qajar and spent about 20 years in Isfahan, capturing valuable photographs of the city and its surroundings. Holtzer was born on January 7, 1835, in the village of Kleinschalkalden, a part of the city of Thuringia. He joined the employment of the British government in 1862 and was assigned to go to Isfahan to manage the telegraph office of the city. After completing his mission, he returned to Isfahan with a photography camera and married Maryam Haq Nazar, an Armenian from Iran, in 1870. He started working as a photographer in Isfahan in the following years. Between 1873 and 1897 (1252 to 1276 SH), he took over a thousand photos of various parts of Iran. Holtzer passed away on July 3, 1911, in Julfa, Isfahan, and was buried in the Armenian cemetery of the city.

During his life and stay in Julfa, Isfahan, Holtzer resided in two houses. Therefore, the current house is a part of Holtzer's second house in New Julfa, which was built in 1892 AD (1270 SH). This house was purchased in 1947 AD (1325 SH) and gradually divided and sold in the following years. The remaining part was owned and used by the Holtzer's heirs as a residential house until 2017 AD (1395 SH). In this year, the remaining part was purchased by one of the tasteful residents of Julfa, and it was completely reconstructed based on the existing images of Ernest Holtzer's photo collection. 

Upon completion of the reconstruction, this building was registered as a historical house under the name of Holtzer Historical House in 2018 AD (1395 SH). Then, an art gallery was opened there displaying Ernest Holtzer's images. Currently, Holtzer Historical House continues its activities as an art gallery and a center for selling handicrafts. It is among the favorite destinations for tourists and the people of Isfahan, especially the residents of Julfa.