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Isfahan is one of ten cities designated by UNESCO as a universal heritage. It
contains a wide range of Islamic Architectural styles ranging from the 11th to
the 19th century. A majority of these sites recognized by UNESCO are situated
within walking distance of Iran Hotel. Below, you will find an image and brief
description of some of these tourist attractions.
Meydane Imam (Imam Square)
Imam Square is 500 meters long and 150 meters wide and used to be known as
Meydane Naghshe Jahan (Design of the World Square) before it was rebuilt by Shah
Abbas I. In the center of the square, you will find a large pool and
lawns plus the goal posts for the polo ground that originally were built here.
Around the square, you can visit the Ali Qapu Palace, Sheik Lotfolah Mosque,
Jome' Mosque, Chehel Sotoon, Hasht Behesht Palace, and other places of interest
that are too numerous to mention here. Please, see below for pictures and brief
descriptions of the sites mentioned here.
Kakhe Ali Qapu (High Gates Palace)
Ali Qapu is dominates the south eastern site of the square and its size and
magnificence symbolize the strength and authority and the Safavid dynasty. The
verandah was the place that the Safavid monarchs would gather to watch the games
of polo being played in the center of the square. The interior of the building
is decorated with charming and beautiful designs.
Masjed Sheikh Lotfalah (Sheikh Lotfalah Mosque)
Built in 1602, by Shah Abbas I, Sheikh Lotfalah Mosque is located
immediately opposite the Ali Qapu Palace. This mosque is one of the most
beautiful mosques in Iran and the quality of workmanship and design far
surpasses other mosques in Iran.
Masjed Jomeh (Friday Mosque)
The Friday Mosque is equivalent in importance to a cathedral in a Christian
city. The Friday Mosque in Isfahan is a dynamic expression of some 400 years of
Iranian Architecture encapsulated into the small area it occupies. In some ways
it therefore brings together many of the themes and decorative ideas which
achieved individual expression in other monuments throughout the city. It is
almost as though, by spending a day or two in this mosque, you can see most of
the rest of the architecture of the city.
Chehel Sotoon Palace (Forty Columns)
Shah Abbas II (1642-1667) commissioned the work on Chehel Sotoon Palace and
work started as early as 1598, and is said to derive its name from the pillars
which dominate the verandah. There are twenty of these laid out in three rows of
six with two additional ones on either side of the main entrance. When these are
reflected in the water of the pool the number is made up to forty, the Farsi for
which is "chehel".
Kakh-e Hasht Behesht (Eight Heavens Palace)
The palace of Hasht Behesht was completed in 1669. It has fine murals and
spectacular roofs while retaining a domestic simplicity. It consists of an
almost octagonal base on which four verandas are raised and four smaller sets of
chambers, while the center is surmounted by a spectacular ceiling. The
exterior tile work is notable for its naturalistic style, depicting peacocks and
angels alongside trees in a less stylized way than previous buildings,
while inside there are charming murals on the walls and a further variety of
spectacular ceilings.
Si-o-Seh Pol (33 Arches Bridge)
This bridge is made up of a series of 33 arches and was commissioned in 1602
by Shah Abbas I from one of his Generals. The name is derived from the Persian
for 33 (Si-o-Seh). The bridge is built on a series of pontoons of great width
and there is a famous tea house amongst them which is accessible from the
southern bank. The lower level of 33 arches is surmounted by a second
layer, with one arch above each of the pontoons and two arches above the lower
single arch, giving it its name and rhythmic appearance. The road along the top
is sandwiched between high walls which give some shelter from the wind as well
as protection for travelers who can walk along the footpaths on either side to
avoid the crush of the traffic. The bridge itself is 295m long and 13.75m wide.
The thirty four piers on which it is constructed are 3.49m thick and the arches
are 5.57m wide. The bridge runs over the Zayandeh Rood (Lively River).
Pol-e Khajou (Khajou Bridge)
This bridge was built between 1642 and 1667 under Shah Abbas II. It takes
its name from the district of Khajou on the northern bank of the Zayandeh, which
it connects with the South. It derives its inspiration from Si-o-Seh Pol, being
built in two layers, however it expands and enhances many of the features of the
older bridge. The bridge is some 110 meters long and a little over 20m wide for
most of its course. The eastern side of the bridge has a high sill which
collects the water, raising it by some 2m. This provides a basin from which
irrigation water for the surrounding area is drawn off in a series of channels.
On the western side there are steps over and between which the water pours and
on which people collect to do their laundry or just to talk. From the lower
section of the bridge which consists of some 20 arches, stairs lead to the
spacious second storey where a series of niches has been cut for people to
collect and meet. An octagonal pavilion is set in the center of the bridge which
now houses an art gallery.
<<Photos are courtesy of
Mr. Arash Dejkam's website and posted with
his explicit permission>>
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