Being among the first and most visited tourist attraction of Iran, Isfahan has so much to offer that may need even a whole week to visit all those beauties. Located at the central heart of Iran, it used to be called Espadana; it is also known as the ”Half of the World”, being the grandeur that it is, the term ” half of the world” only seems suitable. Isfahan is truly a masterpiece of Iranian culture. The outstanding Islamic architecture, with its unique Persian texture, is what tourists are going to witness on a day in Isfahan.
Naghshe-Jahan square is a complex of fantastic monuments belonging to the Safavid period, such as Masjed Shah (Shah or Emam mosque), Ali-Ghapoo, Masjed Sheikh-lotfollah (Sheikh Lotf-o-llah mosque or Royal Mosque), and Gheysarieh Bazaar. Masjed Shah or Masjed Emam is the blue-tiled, mosaic designed mosque, located at Naghshe Jahan Square. It took around 20 years to be completed, but this amazing monument has not changed much since then. Every section of the mosque itself can be called a masterpiece, but overall the whole monument is what captures the eyes of the visitor. Beautiful deep blue and yellow tiled were used to frame the porches of the courtyard’s walls. The turquoise minarets of the mosque make you keep your head up and gaze.
Ali-Ghapoo is a massive structure built in 7 stories, as the entrance to the house of government. The royal family used its terraces to watch the polo games which took place in the square. Masjede Sheikh lotfollah is a mosque dedicated to Shah Abbas’s father in law. What is somehow amazing about this building is how the cream colored tiles at the dome change color to pink. Arabesques and floral designs are the usual’s of such monuments, beautifully designed to add to the glory of the building. What might sound surprising is that unlike other mosques, this one does not have a minaret or a courtyard, this can be related to the private nature of the mosque which was intended to be used only by the women of the Shah’s harem.
Gheysarieh Bazaar serves as a portal entrance to the big bazaar of Esfahan, where one can spend hours wandering around, looking for items from A to Z. Masjede Jame (Jame mosque) may be a mosque, but it can also be seen as a veritable museum of Islamic architecture. This UNESCO World Heritage site is the biggest mosque in Iran. The courtyard, the minarets, walls, the dome, and every other piece of this complex is a masterpiece in its right. Then there is the pleasure palace of Shah-Abbas, called the Chehel Sotun Palace, a lovely garden used as a relaxing place by the Shah.
It would not be a Complete day not to visit the Khaju-Bridge which serves as a dam too, along with this there is the Si-o-Se Pol (33-arches) bridge which is also a dam, illuminated at nights, a walk on this bridge is a pleasant way to pass the time in Esfahan.
By: M. Sadin
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