The Figures of Isfahan: Alireza Abbasi

A Royal Candle for the Calligrapher

Shah Abbas loved the calligrapher of his court, Alireza Abbasi, so much so that sometimes he himself held a candle in his hand so that the calligrapher could do his writing under its light.

Isfahan's Heritage: The Ali Qapu Palace

The Virtual Delight Hall!

Many stories and narratives have been related about the sixth floor of the Ali Qapu Palace, which is known as the music hall; stories that some of them are fanciful and strange.

Isfahan's Heritage: Chaharbagh Religious School

Madar Shah School

European tourists mentioned Chaharbagh School as Madar Shah School in their travelogues, but this title can be seen nowhere else.

Isfahan's Heritage: The Qeysarie Gate

The Lost Plunder

On top of the Qeysarie Gate, a hole can be seen, which is the empty place of a clock made by an English man named ‘Fasty’ for Shah Abbas I.

Isfahan's Intangible Heritage: Sagittarius

The Symbol of the Old City

On top of the Qeysarie Gate of Isfahan Bazaar in Naqsh-e Jahan Square, an image of a horse archer, formed as half-human and half-horse, is patterned on a mosaic tile.

Isfahan's Heritage: The Hasht Behesht Palace

The First School

At the request of Zell-e Soltan from Naser al-Din Shah, the first school in its new form was established in the Hasht Behesht Mansion in Isfahan.

Isfahan's Heritage: Jolfa

New Jolfa

When Shah Abbas got into power, he tried to move the Armenians of Armenia towards Iran’s frontier and evacuate that area.

The Figures of Isfahan: Sheikh Bahaei

The Bitter September

In September 1651 AD (1030 SH), Isfahan was in turmoil. It was burning of a pain, which its tumult caused the world unrest.

Isfahan's Heritage: Naqsh-e Jahan Square

The Tale of Naqsh-e Jahan

Based on evidence gathered, the name of Naqsh-e Jahan Square comes from a garden with the same name, which was in the vicinity of the current location of the square.

Isfahan's Intangible Heritage: Naqqareh-Khani

The Sunset Naqqareh

In the past, a certain religious ritual was held at Naqsh-e Jahan Square. This special ceremony, which was held at the time of sunset, was a remainder of the times before Islam and the religion of the magi.

Foreign Travel Writers in Isfahan: Edward Browne

Burning Tobacco in Naqsh-e Jahan Square

Isfahan was one of the first cities to outlaw the sales and usage of tobacco. The people of Isfahan also followed suit and resisted the foreign monopoly on the trade.

The Figures of Isfahan: Mullah Abdollah

The Shah Walking Behind Knowledge

One day, Shah Abbas went to the bazaar to visit Mullah Abdollah at Mullah Abdollah School. Amazingly, he found the school empty of students.