#Isfahan or #Esfahân, is a major city and capital of Isfahan Province, #Iran. Located over 400 kilometers south of #Tehran, Isfahan is the third-largest city in Iran, after #Mashhad and Tehran, and the second-largest metropolitan area. It is located at the intersection of north-south and east-west routes that traverse Iran. Isfahan flourished between the 9th and 18th centuries under the #Safavid#dynasty when it became the capital of #Persia for the second time in its history under Shah Abbas the Great.
The city retains much of its history. It is famous for its Perso–Islamic architecture, grand boulevards, covered bridges, palaces, tiled mosques, and minarets. Isfahan also has many historical buildings, tombs, museums, # mosques, monuments, paintings, and artifacts. Isfahan’s Naqsh-e Jahan Square in Isfahan is one of the largest city squares in the world designated as #WorldHeritageSite by #UNESCO. Isfahan got its name from # the Persian word Spahān which got Arabicized into Ispahan. Human habitation of the Isfahan region can be traced back to the #Palaeolithic period.
Archaeologists have found artifacts dating back to the Palaeolithic, Mesolithic, Neolithic, Bronze, and #IronAges. When Cyrus the Great unified Persian and Median lands into the #Achaemenid#Empire, Isfahan became a sample of the king’s fabled religious tolerance. It was Cyrus who made an edict in 538 BCE declaring that #Jews in #Babylon could return to #Jerusalem. The freed Jews settled in Isfahan instead of returning to their homeland stayed back here. During the #Sassanids the city was called Aspahan or Spahan.
When the #Arabs captured Isfahan in 642, they made it the capital of the al-Jibal province. Isfahan grew prosperous under the Persian Buyid dynasty, which rose to power and ruled much of Iran when the temporal authority of the Abbasid caliphs waned in the 10th century. After the fall of the #Seljuqs Isfahan temporarily declined. In 1387, Isfahan surrendered to the Turko-Mongol warlord Timur, who sacked the city killing thousands for revolting. Isfahan regained its importance during the #Safavid period.
In the 20th century, Isfahan was resettled by many people from southern Iran, firstly during the population migrations. Today, Isfahan s famed for producing fine carpets, textiles, steel, handicrafts, and traditional foods including sweets. There are #nuclear facilities and one of the largest steel-producing facilities in the region. Well connected by air, road, and rail, Isfahan is known for its art, music, and culture. The city is one of the most important centers of #economic growth in # Iran contributing majorly towards the country’s #economy. The city is one of the most important centre for #education and healthcare. The city is also a hub for #tourism in # Iran and is a major access point to reach other #tourist spaces like #Shiraz, #Varzaneh, #Kashan, #Toudeshk, as well as the holy city of #Qom. The city is well known for its bridges, churches, gardens, and many other historic sites
. There are several hotels that offer budget, mid-range, and luxurious accommodation. Restaurants here serve delicious #Persian food. Its profusion of tree-lined boulevards, Persian gardens, and important Islamic buildings gives it a visual appeal unmatched by any other Iranian city, and the many artisans working here underpin its reputation as a living museum of traditional culture. A walk through the historic bazaar, buying a variety of items including carpets and miniatures is a must. # Tourists can go for a walk on the picturesque bridges and across the UNESCO-listed Naqsh-e Jahan Square or central square.
Isfahan is ideally suited for extended weekend holidays. This city is known as “Nesf-e-Jahaan” which means half of the world. It is given to this city because of its several wonders and beauties. Some of the most important places that are a must-visit besides the central square include Vank Cathedral, Si-o-se-pol Bridge, Music Museum, Chehel Sotoun Palace, Khaju Bridge, and Hasht Behesht Palace, Menar Jonban, and the Atashgah – Zoroastrian Fire Temple.
