The sights of iran-isfahan

The sights of iran-isfahan

Isfahan (Persian ‎, translit. Esfahān‎: pronounced About this sound esfæˈhɒːn (help·info)), historically also rendered in English as Ispahan, Sepahan, Esfahan or Hispahan, is the capital of Isfahan Province in Iran, located about 340 kilometres (211 miles) south of Tehran.

The Greater Isfahan Region had a population of 3,793,104 in the 2011 Census, the second most populous metropolitan area in Iran after Tehran. The counties of Isfahan, Borkhar, Najafabad, Khomeynishahr, Shahinshahr, Mobarakeh, Falavarjan, Tiran o Karvan, Lenjan and Jay[3] all constitute the metropolitan city of Isfahan.

Isfahan is located on the main north–south and east–west routes crossing Iran, and was 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 became the capital of Persia for the second time in its history. Even today, the city retains much of its past glory. It is famous for its Persian–Islamic architecture, with many beautiful boulevards, covered bridges, palaces, mosques, and minarets. This led to the Persian proverb "Esfahān nesf-e- jahān ast" (Isfahan is half of the world).[4]

The Naghsh-e Jahan Square in Isfahan is one of the largest city squares in the world. It has been designated by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site. The city also has a wide variety of historic monuments and is known for the paintings, history and architecture.

Isfahan City Center is also the 5th largest shopping mall in the world and combines traditional Isfahani and modern architecture.

Geography and climate

The city is located in the lush plain of the Zayanderud River, at the foothills of the Zagros mountain range. The nearest mountain is Mount Soffeh (Kuh-e Soffeh) which is situated just south of Isfahan. No geological obstacles exist within 90 kilometres (56 miles) north of Isfahan, allowing cool northern winds to blow from this direction. Situated at 1,590 metres (5,217 ft) above sea level on the eastern side of the Zagros Mountains, Isfahan has an arid climate (Köppen BWk). Despite its altitude, Isfahan remains hot during the summer with maxima typically around 35 °C (95 °F). However, with low humidity and moderate temperatures at night, the climate can be very pleasant. During the winter, days are mild while nights can be very cold. Snow has occurred at least once every winter except 1986/1987 and 1989/1990.

Main sights

The city core consists of an older section, revolving around the Jameh Mosque, and the Safavid expansion around Naqsh-e Jahan Square, with the surrounding worship places, palaces, and bazaars

Bazaars

    Shahi Bazaar – 17th century

    Qeysarie Bazaar - 17th century

Bridges

The Zayande River starts in the Zagros Mountains, flows from west to east through the heart of Isfahan, and dries up in the Gavkhooni wetland.

The bridges over the river include some of the finest architecture in Isfahan. The oldest bridge is the Shahrestan bridge, whose foundations was built by the Sasanian Empire (3rd-7th century Sassanid era) and has been repaired during the Seljuk period. Further upstream is Khaju bridge, which was built by Shah Abbas II in 1650. It is 123 metres (404 feet) long with 24 arches, and also serves as a sluice gate.

The next bridge is Choobi (Joui) bridge. It was originally built as an aqueduct to supply the palace gardens on the north bank of the river. Further upstream again is the Si-o-Seh Pol or bridge of 33 arches. Built during the rule of Shah Abbas the Great, it linked Isfahan with the Armenian suburb of New Julfa. It is by far the longest bridge in Isfahan at 295 m (967.85 ft).

Other bridges include Marnan Bridge.

Churches and cathedrals

    Bedkhem Church – 1627

    St. Georg Church – 17th century

    St. Jakob Church _ 1607

    St. Mary Church – 17th century

    Vank Cathedral – 1664

Emamzadehs

    Emamzadeh Ahmad

    Emamzadeh Esmaeil, Isfahan

    Emamzadeh Haroun-e-Velayat – 16th century

    Emamzadeh Jafar

    Emamzadeh Shah Zeyd

Gardens and parks

    Birds Garden

    Flower Garden

    Nazhvan Recreational Complex

Houses

    Alam's House

    Amin's House

    Malek Vineyard

    Qazvinis' House – 19th century

    Sheykh ol-Eslam's House

Mausoleums and tombs

    Al-Rashid Mausoleum – 12th century

    Baba Ghassem Mausoleum – 14th century

    Mausoleum of Safavid Princes

    Nizam al-Mulk Tomb – 11th century

    Saeb Mausoleum

    Shahshahan mausoleum – 15th century

    Soltan Bakht Agha Mausoleum – 14th century

Minarets

    Ali minaret – 11th century

    Bagh-e-Ghoushkhane minaret – 14th century

    Chehel Dokhtaran minaret – 12 century

    Dardasht minarets – 14th century

    Darozziafe minarets – 14th century

    Menar Jonban – 14th century

    Sarban minaret

Mosques

    Agha Nour mosque – 16th century

    Hakim Mosque

    Ilchi mosque

    Jameh Mosque[27]

    Jarchi mosque – 1610

    Lonban mosque

    Maghsoudbeyk mosque – 1601

    Mohammad Jafar Abadei mosque – 1878

    Rahim Khan mosque – 19th century

    Roknolmolk mosque

    Seyyed mosque – 19th century

    Shah Mosque – 1629

    Sheikh Lotf Allah Mosque – 1618

Museums

    Contemporary Arts Museum Isfahan

    Isfahan City Center Museum

    Museum of Decorative Arts

    Natural History Museum of Isfahan – 15th century

Schools (madresse)

    Chahar Bagh School – early 17th century

    Harati

    Kassegaran school – 1694

    Madreseye Khajoo

    Nimavar school – 1691

    Sadr school – 19th century

Palaces and caravanserais

    Ali Qapu (The Royal Palace) – early 17th century

    Chehel Sotoun (The Palace of Forty Columns) – 1647

    Hasht-Behesht (The Palace of Eight Paradises) – 1669

    Shah Caravanserai

    Talar Ashraf (The Palace of Ashraf) – 1650

Squares and streets

    Chaharbagh Boulevard – 1596

    Chaharbagh-e-khajou Boulevard

    Meydan Kohne (Old Square)

    Naqsh-e Jahan Square also known as "Shah Square" or "Imam Square" – 1602

Synagogues

    Kenisa-ye Bozorg (Mirakhor's kenisa)

    Kenisa-ye Molla Rabbi

    Kenisa-ye Sang-bast

    Mullah Jacob Synagogue

    Mullah Neissan Synagogue

    Kenisa-ye Keter David

Tourist attractions

The central historical area in Isfahan is called Seeosepol (the name of a famous bridge)

Other sites

    Atashgah – a Zoroastrian fire temple

    The Bathhouse of Bahāʾ al-dīn al-ʿĀmilī

    Isfahan City Center

    Jarchi hammam

    New Julfa (The Armenian Quarter) – 1606

    Pigeon Towers[30] – 17th century

    Takht-e Foulad

Nagshe jahan square

 33Bridge

Ali gaphou

Sheykh ltfollah.s mosque

Agig square

Vank church

(Isfahan-kashan(The village of abyaneh