Esfahan
(Persian: ??????)Esfahan's stunning architecture, tree-lined boulevards and relaxed pace make it the undisputed highlight of Iran's cities. The capital of Esfahan Province, and once the country's capital, the Persians call it "Nesf-e-Jahan", meaning "Half The World".
Understand
The city is geographically located at 32°38?N 51°29?E, 340 km south of Tehran in the lush Zayandeh-Rud plain, at the foothills of the Zagros mountain range. The city enjoys a temperate climate and regular seasons. No obstacle exists as far as 90 km north of Isfahan and cool northern winds blow from this direction. Isfahan is located on the main north-south and east-west routes crossing Iran. It is situated at 1590 meters above sea level. It receives an average of 355 mm of rain per year, making it similar to Denver, Colorado in terms of altitude and precipitation. The temperature ranges between 2 and 28 degrees Celsius. The record high temperature was 42 degrees Celsius and the record low was ?19 degrees Celsius.
The southern and western approaches of Isfahan are mountainous and it is bordered northward and eastward by fertile plains. Thus, Isfahan's climate is varied and occasionally rainy, with a precipitation average varying between 100 and 150 mm.
Isfahan was once one of the largest cities in the world. It flourished from 1050 to 1722, particularly in the 16th century under the Safavid dynasty, when it was the capital of Persia. Even today, the city retains much of its past glory. It is famous for its Islamic architecture, with many beautiful boulevards, covered bridges, palaces, mosques, and minarets. This led to the proverb Esfah?n nesf-e jah?n ast: "Esfahan is half of the world".
Isfahan has been designated by UNESCO as a world heritage city. It contains a wide variety of Islamic architectural sites ranging from the 11th century to the 19th.
The merchants of Isphahan were important backers of the 1979 Islamic revolution in Iran.
Get in
Es·fa·han (?s'f?-hän') or Is·fa·han (?s'-)(Persian: ??????)
A city of central Iran south of Tehran. An ancient town and capital of Persia from 1598 to 1722, it was long noted for its fine carpets and silver filigree. Today it has textile and steel mills. Population in 2000: 2,040,000.
By plane
Isphahan has an airport. Before the revolution, it was a major military air base.
By train
By car
By bus
There are regular busses to Tehran and Shiraz.
See
Squares and Streets:
- Naqsh-e Jahan Square also known as shah square or imam square-1602.
- Meydan Kohne (Kohne Square)
- Shahshahan square
- Chaharbagh Boulevard - 1596.
- Chaharbagh-e-khajou Boulevard
Mosques :
- Shah Mosque (it is called Imam mosque after Iran's Revolution)
- Sheikh Lotf Allah Mosque
- Jame Mosque
Palaces:
- Ali Qapu (The Royal Palace) - Early 17th Century
- Talar Ashraf (The Palace of Ashraf) - 1650.
- Hasht Behesht (The Palace of Eight Paradises) - 1669.
- Chehel Sotoun (The Palace of forty columns) - 1647.
Schools:
- Madreseye Sadr
- Madreseye Shah (Imam Jafar Sadegh after revolution)
- Madreseye Khajoo
Caravanserais:
- Carvanserai Shah
Bridges:
- Pol-e Shahrestan (The Shahrestan Bridge) - 11th Century.
- Pol-e Khaju (Khaju Bridge) - 1650.
- Si-o-Seh Pol (The Bridge of 33 Arches) - 1602.
- pol-e-Joui or choobi(Joui bridge)
- Pol-e-Shahrestan (Shahrestan bridge)
Churches and Cathedrals
- Vank Cathedral - 17th century.
- Kelisaye maryam (maryam church)
others include :
- Atashgah - a Zoroastrian fire temple.
- Buqe'h-ye Ibn-Sina (Avicenna's Dome) - 12th Century.
- The Tombs of Nizam al-Mulk & Malek Shah - 12th & 18th Century.
- Jolfa (The Armenian Quarter).
- The Bathhouse of Sheikh Bahai.
- Pigeon Towers - 17th Century.
You could spend a happy week exploring the bazaar, the entrance is on Naghsh e jahan.
Buy
Isphahan carpets are world-famous, among the vey finest Persian carpets. They are also often extremely expensive.
Eat
Budget
Mid-range
Splurge
Sleep
Budget
- The Amir Kabir Hotel is a favorite among backpackers.
Mid-range
Splurge
External links
http://shahrdari.isfahan.ir/
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