Isfahan

A World Treasure!

From the 16th century C.E. they have said of the city of Isfahan that it is "half the world" (Isfahan nesf-e jahan ast). Isfahan, or also spelled, Esfahan, is a radiant gem of the Middle East and indeed one of the most beautiful cities in the World still today. Also known in Old Persian as Aspadana , Middle Persian: Spahān , and also seen historically in English as Ispahan or Hispahan. The Isfahan metropolitan area is the second largest metropolitan area in Iran, following only Tehran in size. It is located about 210 miles or 340 km south of Tehran. It is nestled on the plain of the Zayandeh River against the Kuh-e Soffeh, part of the Zagros mountains. The Zayandeh River runs from the mountains through Isfahan and empties into the dry desert. The plain receives cool breezes, and has a temperate, dry climate with normal seasons, occasional snow in the winter and summer high temperatures averaging up to 36 °C (97 °F).

Isfahan is known for its striking monumental architecture, Persian carpets, textiles, metalwork, and inlaid wood mosaic work (khatam). It also has large steel and alloy factories as well as nuclear fuel producing facilities. Located on the main north to south and east to west routes of Iran, Isfahan was the capitol of Iran twice before the Mongol invasions of the 13th century C.E., and then during the Safavid reign.

Isfahan has a long history of human occupation, with artifacts found of the paleolithic, mesolithic, neolithic, bronze and iron ages. Notably, Isfahan was occupied by the ancient Elamites, then the Medes, Achaemenians, Arsacids, Parthians and Sassanids. Isfahan has large populations of Jews and Armenian Christians. Isfahan was a military center with strong defenses. Later, after the Arab Conquest, it was ruled by the Muslim Abbasids, Seljuks, Timurids, and Safavids who had the greatest influence on this grand city. The monumental Islamic architecture of Isfahan, including bridges, mosques, palaces, grand boulevards and squares, was built from the 11th to the 19th centuries C.E., with the most contributions coming from the Safavids of the 16th century. The Jomeh Mosque dates all the way back to 771 C.E. with continual additions through the 20th century. In 1722, Isfahan was raided in a long seige by the Afghans and fell into decline until the modern era. Today it has an international airport and a metro system and much modern industry.

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Muqarnas on mosque ceiling
Muqarnas, cave-like intricate ceiling work from a mosque


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Griffin Achaemenian Relief
A Persian griffin from an ancient Achaemenian wall relief

A Few Important Sites in Isfahan

  • From Wikepedia article on Isfahan

    Squares and Streets (Meydan & Khiaban)
    • Naqsh-e Jahan Square also known as "Shah Square" or "Imam Square" - 1602.
    • Meydan Kohne (Old Square).
    • Shahshahan Square.
    • Chaharbagh Boulevard - 1596.
    • Chaharbagh-e-khajou Boulevard.
    Palaces (Kakh)
    • Ali Qapu (The Royal Palace) - Early 17th Century.
    • Talar Ashraf (The Palace of Ashraf) - 1650.
    • Hasht-Behesht (The Palace of Eight Paradises) - 1669.
    • Chehel Sotoun (The Palace of Forty Columns) - 1647.
    Old schools (Madraseh)
    • Madreseye Sadr.
    • Madreseye Shah (Chahar Bagh School).
    • Madreseye Khajoo.
    Mosques (Masjid)
    • Shah Mosque.
    • Sheikh Lotf Allah Mosque.
    • Jame (Congregative) mosque.
    Bazaars
    • Grand Bazaar.
    • Shahi Bazaar.
    Bridges (Pol)
    • Pol-e Shahrestan - 11th Century.
    • Marnan bridge.
    • Pol-e Khaju - 1650.
    • Si-o-Seh Pol (The Bridge of 33 Arches) - 1602.
    • Pol-e-Joui or Choobi .
    Churches and Cathedrals (Kelisa)
    • Vank Cathedral - 17th century.
    • Kelisaye Maryam (Maryam Church).
    Baths (Hammam)
    • Khosro Agha.
    • Ali Gholi Agha.
    • Khajouha.
    • Shahzadeha.
    • Bigdeli.
    • Sheikh Bahaei.
    Other sites
    • Shah Carvanserai.
    • Atashgah - a Zoroastrian fire temple.
    • Buqe'h-ye Ibn-Sina (Avicenna's Dome) - 12th Century.
    • The Tombs of Nizam al-Mulk & Malek Shah - 12th & 18th Century.
    • The Bathhouse of Sheikh Bahai.
    • Pigeon Towers - 17th Century.
    • Manar Jonban, a famous minaret