Tourism Information of Isfahan province

Isfahan: Half of the World

Isfahan, or “half of world” is the city of colossal squares, mosques, bridges and bazaars, Madrasa (religious schools) and caravanserais as well as awe-inspiring turquoise domes. Isfahan, possessing three UNESCO-registered World Heritage Sites, has maintained its beauty and originality like the three sister-cities of Florence, Barcelona, and St. Petersburg. The time tunnel of “Isfahan” haunts the visitors in an Eastern city with the taste of the legends of “one thousand and one nights”. Just stand right in the middle of Naghsh-e Jahan (Image of the World) square to fully experience a mystic sense! Isfahan, as Iranians call it, Nesf-e Jahan (half of the world), is the masterpiece of Iranian art and architecture and it is one of the most wonderful cities in the Islamic world. Isfahan experienced a rare glory after it was chosen as the capital of Safavid Persia in the 16th century. Having unique cultural, historical and religious monuments, Isfahan is the symbol of Persian ingenuity and creativity. Old squares and streets, wonderful mosques and churches, glorious palaces, old schools and caravansaries, stunning bridges, and eye catching gardens, colorful bazaars astonish every visitor and make lasting impressions and create sharable stories! Here in Isfahan you will experience a rare sense of spirituality while beholding wonderful mosques of Abbasi, Sheikh Lotfollah, and Jame Mosque as well as Vank Cathedral. Beside spirituality, palaces such as Chehel Sotoun immerse you in the glorious Safavid era. Isfahan is also boasting about its splendid bridges. Si-o Se Pol and Khaju bridges portray prefect combination of art and engineering with such an exemplary elegance that still make you admire.

 

Isfahan has always been associated with craftsmanship. Ghalam Zani (metal fabrication), Khatam (marquetry), and Mina (Vitreous enamel) have reached their perfection through centuries of skillful production. Apart from these souvenirs, you bring back pleasant unforgettable memories that will stay with you for good

Jame Mosque of Isfahan Isfahan Jame Mosque is indeed the Islamic world’s museum of art and architecture. This 12 century old monument still continues to operate as a mosque. Jame Mosque of Isfahan has undergone different periods of architectural and decorative alteration ranging from Abbasid and Seljuk eras to the Safavid period. Many believe that religious activities at this place date back to the Sassanian era and the practice of Zoroastrianism. But a mosque was built in its place in the 9th century which, according to some scholars, is the oldest mosque built in Iran. In 11th century, during Seljuk reign, a great mosque was developed on the site of older one and for the first time in the history of Islamic architecture, the four-iwan style was introduced (iwan is a rectangular, usually, vaulted hall or space). Moreover, two astounding domes were added to the mosque in the Seljuk period. The first one, ‘Nezam al-Mulk dome’ on the south side is the first double-shelled dome in Islamic world. In the opposite direction, there is the ‘Taj al-Muluk’ dome which is fantastic in terms of geometry. Since then, Isfahan Jame Mosque has become a prototype for the construction of mosques in the Islamic world. In later periods, according to the political and religious taste of the day, some adjustments were made to the mosque and in some cases structures and decorations were added to it. For example, Oljaytu, Mongol ruler, added a mihrab to the western corridor with excellent, elaborate stuccoworks, Quranic texts and diverse floral motifs. In Safavid period, besides lots of decorations and glazed tile works, some minarets were added to the southern iwan.