With over 1.5 million inhabitants, Isfahan, also known as Esfahan, is the third largest city in Iran after Tehran and Mashhad. It is located in a desertic plane along the banks of the Zayandeh-rud river, 340km south of tehran, at an altitude of over 1500 m. It's climate is very hot during summer days, but comfortably cool in summer evenings or nights. In winter it gets cold and snowfall is not unheard of. The city has been settled since prehistoric times and reached the peak of its development between 1050 and 1722, especially in the 16th century under the Safavid dynasty, when it became the capital of Persia for the second time in its history. Isfahan is a centre of arts and is famous for its Persian style Islamic architecture, with many beautiful boulevards, covered bridges, palaces, mosques, and minarets. The Naqshejahan square is one of the largest squares in the world and an outstanding example of Persian and Islamic architecture. It has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1979.
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18 photos of the Naqshejahan square in central Isfahan, the second largest square in the world
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17 photos of the Sheikh Lotf Allah mosque with its impressive dome chamber
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24 photos of the Jame mosque, the architecturally most interesting mosque in Isfahan
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7 photos of Ali Qapu palace on the western side of the Naqshejahan square
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16 photos of the Shah mosque, at the southern end of the Naqshejahan square
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27 photos of the area around the Chahar Bagh Abbasi avenue in central Isfahan
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14 photos of the Chehel Sotoon palace, a 16th century palace with excellently preserved frescoes
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13 photos of the Jewish quarter in Isfahan
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12 photos of the Grand Bazaar in Isfahan
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9 photos of the Khaju bridge, one of the masterpieces of Isfahani renessaince architecture
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12 photos of Zayandeh-rud, the river which crosses Isfahan
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9 photos of Si-o-seh Pol (33 arches) bridge, a masterpiece of Safavid architecture
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12 photos of Armenian Vank cathedral, in the Jolfa district in Isfahan
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10 photos of the beautiful hotel Abbasi in central Isfahan
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20 miscellaneous photos of Isfahan
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10 photos of Persian handicrafts on sale in Isfahan
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©Copyright Alfred Molon