It has been said a lot about the green environment and fragrant air of Isfahan and the vast rapid waters of its Zayanderud river. The old trees planted during the Safavid period around the Chaharbagh neighborhood is a living proof of the prosperity of this land through the ages.
Giovanni Francesco Gemelli Careri, Italian traveler, who participated in the coronation ceremony of the Sultan Husayn in 1694, and who also saw the reign of Suleiman I, described his entrance to Isfahan in such a way: “From there till Isfahan the way is full of prosperous lands, gardens and farmlands. These prosperous lands are visited by the people of Isfahan during the summer and are full of sumptuous houses, good resorts and gardens that are owned by the rich of Isfahan.
After fifteen kilometers by the time the sun was ready to set, right after one year has passed when we left our city Redsina in Italy, we finally reached the gates of Iran’s capital (Isfahan) that from afar looked more like a forest.” There are plenty of other travelogues where Isfahan is described as a green city where agriculture is in prosperity.
One of these is the book “Isfahan – Nesf-e Jahan” written by Sadeq Hedayat where it is said: “As we come closer to it, the city of Isfahan reveals its splendor. Plants, trees, gardens, fields, pigeon towers, furrows, irrigation, gathered sand, farmers under the heat of the sun standing one to another harrowing the land, and poppy flowers everywhere… From the first look Isfahan is the first class agricultural town where agricultural works are performed accurately and according to the scientific rules as it is done in the European agricultural areas.
Perhaps Isfahan has still saved the prosperity of the Sassanian era, and as it was usual in ancient Iran the farmers of Isfahan still consider agricultural work as their holy duty.” Only 80 years have passed from the time this description has been written.
Name Jouvani Francesco Jamli Karri
Profession Globe Trotter
Book’s Name Travel around the World
Book’s Name Published in Iran Karri’s Travelogue
Translation by Abbas Nakhjavani and Abdulali Karang
Name Isfahan Nesf-e Jahan (Half of the World)
Author Sadegh Hedayat
Subject Sadegh Hedayat’s Observations and Description of his trip to Isfahan
Publication Date Year 1923
