Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
There are, however, some less-than-refreshing elements to Esfahan. This is the coun-
try's third-largest city, and the outskirts are home to plenty of heavy industry, including
steel factories and a much-discussed nuclear facility. Traffic jams are also a regular occur-
rence.
History
Little is known of Esfahan's ancient history, but the Ateshkadeh-ye Esfahan (Esfahan Fire
Temple; Click here ) and pillars of the Shahrestan Bridge, both dating from the Sassanid
period (224-636), attest to its longevity. The Buyid period saw an explosion of construc-
tion and by the late 10th century the walled city of Esfahan was home to dozens of
mosques and hundreds of wealthy homes. In 1047 the Seljuks made Esfahan their capital
and during the next 180 years it was adorned with their magnificently geometric style of
architecture, several prominent examples of which remain.
The Mongols put an end to that, and it wasn't until the glorious reign of the Safavid
Shah Abbas I (also known as Shah Abbas the Great), which began in 1587, that Esfahan
once again became Iran's premier city. After moving the capital from Qazvin to Esfahan,
Abbas set about transforming it into a city worthy of an empire at its peak. His legacies
include the incomparable Naqsh-e Jahan Sq (Imam Sq; Click here ) and artistic advances -
particularly in carpet weaving - that were celebrated and envied as far away as Europe.
Subsequent Safavid rulers also contributed to Esfahan's skyline, but little more than a cen-
tury after Abbas' death the dynasty was finished and the capital transferred first to Shiraz
and later to Tehran.
ESFAHAN IN…
Two Days
Start by taking our walking tour of the Bazar-e Bozorg and its surrounds. After a lunch break, head to the Masjed-e
Jameh (Jameh Mosque), one of Iran's most beautiful buildings. For dinner, join upmarket Esfahanis at Restaurant
Shahrzad and, if you still have an appetite left after sampling its famous lamb cutlets, make your way through
Naqsh-e Jahan (Imam) Sq to Fereni Hafez for a sweet finale. On your second day, visit the Masjed-e Shah
(Masjed-e Imam) , Masjed-e Sheikh Lotfollah and Kakh-eAli Qapu . After lunch at one of the nearby traditional
restaurants, make your way to the Kakh-eChehel Sotun with its Unesco-listed garden. In the late afternoon enjoy a
tea and snack at the Abbasi Teahouse .
Four Days
On your third day, walk across the picturesque Pol-e Si-o-Seh (Si-o Seh Bridge) to the Armenian Quarter and ad-
mire the striking frescoes inside Kelisa-ye Vank (Vank Cathedral). Have lunch at Khan Gostar Restaurant and
then take a taxi to the Ateshkadeh-ye Esfahan (Esfahan Fire Temple).
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