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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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).
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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).
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.