Esfahan

Isfahan is located on the main north–south and east–west routes crossing Iran, andwas once one of the largest cities in the world. It flourished from 1050 to 1722,particularly in the 16th and 17th centuries under the Safavid dynasty, when it becamethe capital of Persia for the second time in its history. Even today, the city retains muchof its past glory. It is famous for its Persian–Islamic architecture, with many beautifulboulevards, covered bridges, palaces, mosques, and minarets. This led to the Persianproverb "Esfahān nesf-e- jahān ast

The Naghsh-e Jahan Square in Isfahan is one of the largest city squares in the worldand an outstanding example of Iranian and Islamic architecture. It has been designatedby UNESCO as a World Heritage Site. The city also has a wide variety of historicmonuments and is known for the paintings, history and architecture.

Isfahan City Center is also the 5th largest shopping mall in the world, which is locatedin this city, mixing the traditional isfahanian architecture with the modern one.

Tourist attractions of Isfahan

Isfahan is an ancient city in the center of Iran located about 340 km south of Tehran.Isfahan is the capital of Isfahan Province and the Persians call it "Nesf-e-Jahan",meaning "Half the World". In terms of population, Isfahan is Iran's third largest cityafter Tehran and Mashhad. Isfahan is located in a semi-desert region near theZayandeh Rud River. Isfahan is considered as a popular tourist destination and a majorcultural and economic center of Iran. The city enjoys a temperate climate and regularseasons.

Imam Square (Naqsh-e Jahan)

Before Isfahan was selected as Capital by the Safavid dynasty, a square called Naqsh-eJahan (Image of the world) existed in the vicinity of Imam square. During the reign ofShah Abbas the Great, this square was enlarged to almost its present dimensions andthe most famous historic buildings of Isfahan were constructed around this square. Thissquare has an area of more than 85 thousand square. During the reign of Shah Abbas Iand his successors, this square was an area where festivities, polo, dramatics andmilitary parades took place. Two stone gates of the polo are embedded in the north andsouth of this square. The length of this great square is 500 meters from north to south,and its width about 150 meters from east to west. Most of the foreign tourists believethat Imam square is one of the greatest squares in the world. Naqsh-e Jahan Squarehas witnessed many historical memories of Iran during the past four centuries.Memories of the life of Shah Abbas the Great and his successors until the end of theSafavid era is associated with this great historical square.

Imam Mosque

The construction of this mosque situated at the south side of Imam Square (Naqsh-eJahan) started in 1020 A.H under the order of Shah Abbas I during the twenty-fourthyear of his reign, and the decorations and extensions of the building were completedduring the rule of his successors. The chief architect and the supervisor of the buildingwere Ostad Ali Akbar Isfahani and Moheb Ali Beik. This mosque is a masterpiece of the16th century from the viewpoint of architecture, tile work and stone carving. One of theinteresting features of this mosque is the echo of sound in the center of the giganticdome in the southern section. The height of this dome is 52 m and the minarets therein48m; whereas the minarets at its portal in the Naqsh-e-Jahan Square reach anelevation of 42 m. The huge one-piece marble and other slabs of stone, besides theintricate tile work and adornments prove extremely spectacular views of this mosque.

Sheikh Lotfollah Mosque

This mosque is another masterpiece of architecture and tile work of the 16th centurywhich was constructed by a decree issued by Shah Abbas I and took a period of 18years to be completed. The architect and mason of this structure was OstadMohammad Reza Isfahani. Inside tile work decorations of the plinth to the top arecovered with mosaic tiles. In terms of the architectural grandeur of the mosque, foreignarchaeologists believe: “It can hardly be considered a product of human hands.” SheikhLotfollah was one of the great pious in the Shia sect, in what is known as Lebanontoday. At the invitation of Shah Abbas I, he came to reside in Isfahan. This place wasconstructed in honor of this great man who led the prayers and preached in thismosque.

Friday (Al-Jum’a) Mosque

Friday mosque is one of the historical monuments of the post-Islamic period in Iranwhich was constructed in the 4th century A.H and was expanded during Seljuk,al_Muzaffar and Shah Abbas I periods. Anywhere in the mosque, apart from thedifferent styles of architecture, various types of poetry and prose lines are visible. Thismosque is a complex of buildings and artistic masterpieces of the post-Islamic period inIran.

Ali Qapu

This palace which is a unique example of palace architecture in the Safavid era wasconstructed under the order of Shah Abbas I in the early 11th century A.H. Themonarch received special envoys in this palace and held his audience here. There arefive floors in this palace and each floor has its special decorations. During the reign ofShah Abbas II, a royal parlor (Shah Neshin) was added to the main building and thesovereign and his guests watched polo, illuminations, fire-works and the dramatics thattook place in the Nagsh-e-Jahan Square from the halls of this elegant palace. Thispalace was also called 'Daulat Khaneh-e-Mobarakeh Nagsh-e-Jahan' and the 'DaulatKhaneh Palace'. Its unique archaic architecture is related to the Safavid era.

The Chehel Sutun (Forty Columns) Palace

The Chehel Sotune Palace and its garden cover an area of approximately 67,000 sq. m.This palace was constructed during the reign of Shah Abbas I and a building wasestablished in the middle of this garden. Shah Abbas II was also responsible foradditions to this palace. The reflection of the twenty pillars of the hall in the poolopposite the palace brings about a conception of forty pillars. But in fact the number of“Forty” represents the quantity and multitude in Iran and the reason for which thementioned building is called Chehel Sotun is the great number of the pillars in thispalace.

Hasht Behesht Palace

The historical edifice of Hast Behesht, an example of residential palaces of the last kingsof the Safavid dynasty, was constructed during the reign of Shah Soleiman Safavid in1080 A.H. Tile work of the building representing different kinds of birds, wild animalsand reptiles which are the remnants of this palace, can be noted. Today, only a minorportion of the grounds remains. However, the historical palace is still a valuable andinteresting monument. A park has been built around it after the Revolution.

Chahar Bagh School

Chahar Bagh School, also known as Madraseh-ye Madar-e Shah (The King-mother’sSchool) is the last architectural masterpiece of the Safavid era. This school wasconstructed for theological studies, late in the reign of Shah Soltan Hossain Safavid inthe years 1116-1126 AH. In terms of tile work, Chahar Bagh School contains varioustypes of tile works which have turned it into a unique building. In fact, the school isknown as the Museum of Tiling of Isfahan. King’s mother had a large caravansary builtnearby, which was the most luxurious passenger accommodation about three centuriesago. This caravansary has recently been rebuilt as the most famous luxury hotel in Iran,Abbasi Hotel. The architecture structure of this hotel is spectacular and unique in theworld.

Chahar Bagh Boulevard

Isfahan was chosen as the capital of Iran during the reign of Shah-Abbas I in 1006 A.H.From that time, many considerable activities started for constructing palaces, bridgesand historical mosques in order to decorate the capital. Constructing a boulevard likeChahar Bagh was also taken place in this year under the command of Safavid king.Chahar Bagh Boulevard is a historical broad tree-covered avenue which connects thenorth of the city from Darvaze Dolat (across the current mayoral palace) to south(Darvaze Shiraz).

Si-o-se Pol

This bridge is a unique masterpiece of the reign of Shah Abbas I. It was constructedunder the supervision and expense of Allah Verdi Khan, one of his famous commanders.This bridge is approximately 300 m. in length and 14 m. in width and is the longestbridge on the Zayandeh Rud River which was constructed in 1005 A.H. The Armeniansused to hold special festivities near this bridge in the Safavid period. Julfa Armeniansheld “Khaj-Shouyan” ceremony around this bridge. This bridge is one of themasterpieces in bridge construction in Iran and the world.

Khaju Bridge (Shahi Bridge)

This bridge took its foundation in the late Timurid period, and was constructedaccording to what it is currently in 1060 AH, under the orders of Shah Abbas II. Thereis a structure in the center of the bridge, known as the Beglarbegi construction which isstill standing with painting decorations on the top. The same was used as a temporaryresidence for the royal family. The name of this bridge is a distorted version of the word'Khajeh' which was a title for great personalities in the Safavid era.

Shahrestan Bridge

This bridge is one of the oldest bridges on the Zayandeh Rud River. Its currentstructure remains from Sassani era but it dates back to Archamenian era. It has beenrenovated in later periods of Deilamian and Saljoghian. Located in the old district of Jay,it has a spectacular architecture. Shahrestan Bridge is one the ancient bridges locatedabout 4 km east of Isfahan. It is possible to pass the bridge from two sides: One, fromMoshtagh and Sarooyeh streets and Ashraf hillside, the other from Dalan Behesht.There are woods and gardens and summer flats on both sides of the bridge.

Marnan Bridge

Marnan Bridge which has originally named "Marbin", adopted from Avesta word"Mehrbin". It has known as Marnan during the last 15 centuries of Islamic history ofIran. This bridge is located on the western extreme of Isfahan. The current shape ofthe bridge with decoration of the Safavid structure is still firmed, but repairedrepeatedly.

Pol-e-Joui or Choobi (Joui Bridge)

This bridge is narrow in width and 147 m. in length. It was constructed in the reign ofShah Abbas II in 1065 A.H. The bridge was not used by ordinary people. It onlyconnected the royal gardens on the northern and southern banks of the river. Besides,it was used by the Safavid kings, their courtiers, noble families and guests who wantedto meet Shah Abbas II (in the magnificent buildings of this garden which are notremained today).

Vank Cathedral

The Vank Church is one of the most famous churches in the Jolfa vicinity of Isfahan.The construction of this church commenced in the reign of Shah Abbas II in 1065 A.Hand was completed in 1074 A.H. The interior of the church is richly decorated withpainting decorations, interesting tile works and beautiful oil paintings of Jesus Christ’slife. Except for the religious paintings revealing an Italian and Netherlands touch, thetype of its architecture and all the other decorations of this church are Iranian.

Manar Jonban (the swinging minaret)

This structure comprises of a mausoleum and two minarets, constructed on the tomb of'Amoo Abdollah' a reputed personality of the 8th century A.H. The construction ofManar Jonban is based on Mongol architecture and there are tile works remained ofthat era. The two minarets were added later in an unknown date, but probably at theend of the Safavid era. It is extremely interesting to note that on shaking one minaret,not only does the other move, but that the structure itself sways.

Atashgah (Fire Temple)

The Atashgah of Isfahan, the top of which is made of thick and hard brick, is aSassanid-era archaeological complex located on a hill of the same name about eightkilometers west of Isfahan. According to the historians, the Atashgah was one of themost famous fire temples in Isfahan. Although it is difficult to determine the date of thefinal structure, what is certain is not newer than the Sassanid period. On a lowmountain about twenty kilometers west of Isfahan and in the lovely plain named Qorboverlooking the Zayandeh Rud River, remains of an old building are still left which datesback to probably the Parthian era or Sassanid period.

Thakht-e Foulad

After Vadi Al Salaam cemetery in Najaf, ancient cemetery of Qom, Sheikhan Tomb andthe other cemeteries of sacred shrines, Thakht-e Foulad cemetery is the mostvenerable, honored and prestigious tombs and cemeteries of not only Iran but also inall the Shia-residet cities. The existence of Lesan Al Arz which tells about the beginningof the creation and the Great Yousha Tomb, one of the greatest prophets of Bani Israelwhich dates back to more than two thousand years ago in this holy territory are theprivileges of this part land and cemetery.

Old Qaisarieh Bazaar

Qaisarieh Bazaar was one of the largest and most luxurious shopping malls in theSafavid era. This bazaar which is now the greatest supplier of handicrafts in Isfahanwas constructed in 1029 A.H on the north side of the Imam Square. This bazaar used tobe a center of selling precious fabrics during the Safavid dynasty and foreign companieswere also trading there. The entrance to the bazaar is through a majestic gatewaywhich is decorated with paintings and mosaic tile works representing two archers withlion torso and dragon’s tail. There are two platforms situated at the either side of theentrance gateway on which the goldsmiths used to represent their goods for sale in theold days.