Isfahan

Lore & Background

Isfahan is located at the intersection of the two principal routes that traverse Iran, north–south and east–west. It flourished between the 9th and 18th centuries. Under the Safavid Empire, Isfahan became the capital of Iran, for the second time in its history, under Abbas the Great. It is known for its Persian–Muslim architecture, grand boulevards, covered bridges, palaces, tiled mosques, and minarets. The name Ispahan is derived from Middle Persian. The region is denoted by the abbreviation GD (Southern Media) on Sasanian coins. In Ptolemy's Geographia, it appears as 'place of gathering for the army'. Human habitation in the region can be traced back to the Palaeolithic period. During Median rule, Isfahan became a regional centre. It was a religiously and ethnically diverse city during the reign of Cyrus the Great. The Muslim Arabs captured Isfahan in 642 CE. It further grew under the Buyid and Seljuk dynasties. After the fall of the Seljuks in 1200 CE, the city temporarily declined. It regained its importance during the Safavid era (1501–1736), with the city experiencing a golden age under the rule of Abbas the Great, who moved his capital from Qazvin to Isfahan. During his reign, Turkish, Armenian, and Persian craftsmen were forcefully resettled in the city. In the 20th century, Isfahan was resettled by many people from southern Iran.

In Their Own Story

The call to prayer from the minarets of the Imam Mosque drifted over Naqsh-e Jahan Square, blending with the distant clatter of hooves on cobblestone. An old merchant adjusted his turban, watching a caravan of silk-laden camels wind through the arches of the Qeysarie Gate. The air smelled of saffron, dust, and the faint, sweet scent of orange blossoms from the gardens beyond. In the shadow of the towering dome, a young apprentice traced the intricate azure tiles with his eyes, wondering if he would ever master the art that had made this city half the world.

Reader's Guide

Isfahan has many historical buildings, monuments, paintings, and artifacts. Naqsh-e Jahan Square in Isfahan is one of the largest city squares in the world, and a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Did You Know?

• Isfahan is the third-most populous city in Iran, after Tehran and Mashhad.
• The city was the capital of Iran under Abbas the Great during the Safavid Empire.
• Naqsh-e Jahan Square is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
• The name Isfahan is derived from Middle Persian, meaning 'place of the army'.