Beautiful places of Iran III - Isfahan

Day 4,225, 09:11 • Published in Iran Iran • by ¤Anon.7904407¤


Isfahan (historically also rendered in English as Ispahan, Sepahan, Esfahan or Hispahan) is a city in Iran. It is located 406 kilometres (252 miles) south of Tehran, and is the capital of Isfahan Province.


Flowers garden, Isfahan, Iran.

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Isfahan is an important city as it is located at the intersection of the two principal north–south and east–west routes that traverse Iran. Isfahan 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 under Shah Abbas the Great. Even today the city retains much of its past glory.

The Naghsh-e Jahan Square in Isfahan is one of the largest city squares in the world. UNESCO has designated it a World Heritage Site.



Naghsh-e Jahan Square in Isfahan

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

Bazaars:



Grand Bazaar, Isfahan - 17th century

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Bridges

The bridges on the Zayanderud river comprise some of the finest architecture in Isfahan. The oldest bridge is the Shahrestan bridge, whose foundations were built by the Sasanian Empire (3rd–7th century Sassanid era); it was repaired during the Seljuk period. Further upstream is the 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.

Another bridge is the Choobi (Joui) bridge, which was originally 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 reign 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).

Another notable bridge is the Marnan Bridge.



Shahrestan bridge



Si -o - se Pol
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Churches and cathedrals



Bedkhem Church – 1627

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The entrance of the Church of Saint George in Isfahan, Iran. 17th century

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Mausoleums and tombs



Al-Rashid Mausoleum – 12th century

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Baba Ghassem Mausoleum – 14th century

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Schools (madresse)



Chahar Bagh School – early 17th century

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Kassegaran school – 1694

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Nimavar school – 1691

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Palaces and caravanserais



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

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Chehel Sotoun (The Palace of Forty Columns) – 1647

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

Source: Wikipedia