Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Madraseh-ye Chahar Baghغابراهچ هسردم
(Madraseh-ye Mazadar-e Shah, Theological School of the Shah's Mother;
Click here
;
cnr
Chahar Bagh Abbasi & Shahid Medani Sts)
Built between 1704 and 1714 as part of an
expansive complex that included a caravanserai (now the Abbasi Hotel) and the Bazar-e
Honar, this madraseh is one of the most architecturally important buildings in Esfahan but
is unfortunately closed to the public for most of the year (except during No Ruz). Entry
for its students is through an imposing wood-and-silver door off Chahar Bagh Abbasi St
and inside there's a tree-filled courtyard surrounded by two-storey porches leading to the
students' rooms, a prayer hall with a superb mihrab
,
two of the finest Safavid-era minarets
in Esfahan, some exquisite mosaics and an attractive dome.
MADRASEH
HISTORIC BUILDING
Hammam-e Ali Gholi Aghaاقآ یلقیلع مامح
(Ali Gholi Agha Bathhouse;
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;
Ali Gholi Agha Alley, off Masjed-e Sayyed St; ad-
mission US$1.80; 9am-4.30pm Sat-Thu)
Located in the historic district of Bid Abad,
this well-maintained (but poorly signed) museum of
hammams
is worth a look, especially
if you didn't visit the Hammam-e Sultan Mir Ahmad in Kashan.
To get here, walk west from Takhti Junction on Masjed-e Sayyed St, and turn right
(north) down Ali Gholi Agha St, 50m beyond the junction with Tayab St. Walk about
250m, turn right inside a covered bazaar, and then left at the mosque.
BRIDGES
Zayandeh River Bridgesدور هدنياز یاهلپ
There are few better ways to spend an afternoon than strolling along the Zayandeh River,
crossing back and forth on the historic bridges. Such a stroll is especially pleasant at sun-
set and in the early evening when most of the bridges are illuminated. In total, 11 bridges
(six are new) cross the Zayandeh. All but one of the historic Safavid-era crossings lie to
the east of Chahar Bagh St - the exception is the shorter Pol-e Marnan (Marnan Bridge) -
but most people satisfy themselves with the walk from Pol-e Si-o-Seh (Si-o-Seh Bridge)
to Pol-e Khaju (Khaju Bridge), and back.
Traditionally, Esfahanis paused their perambulations to drink tea and enjoy a qalyan at
one of the atmospheric teahouses on the Khaju, Chubi and Si-o-Seh bridges. Unfortu-
nately, most of these have been closed in recent years, and only thePol-e teahouse at the
northern end of Pol-e Si-o-Seh remains open.
Various reasons have been offered for these closures. Some locals say that authorities
have closed the teahouses due to heritage concerns (with fears being held that the large
gas canisters used for heating water could explode and damage the bridges). Others are
convinced the rise of religious conservatives in the provincial government is to blame and
