The history of the development of the city of Isfahan

As the third largest city in Iran, after Tehran and Mashhad, Isfahan is located in the center and heart of Iran.

Naqqāli, Iranian Dramatic Story-Telling:

The Oldest Dramatic Performance

Naqqāli is the oldest form of dramatic performance in the Islamic Republic of Iran and has long played an important role in society, from the courts to the villages.

Wedding Traditions in Isfahan:

The Brides of Isfahan

Women of the boy’s family choose a girl for him and then go to her family’s house in order to meet the girl and become more familiar with each other.

Nawrouz, Novruz, Nowrouz, Nooruz,...

A World Heritage New Day

March 21 marks the start of the year in Afghanistan, Azerbaijan, India, Iran (Islamic Republic of), Iraq, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Pakistan, Tajikistan, Turkey, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan.

Pahlevani and Zoorkhanei Rituals:

World of Chivalry

Pahlevani is an Iranian martial art that combines elements of Islam, Gnosticism and ancient Persian beliefs.

The Figures of Isfahan: Fazlollah Dahesh

The Light

In 1305 SH, he founded the first electricity company of Isfahan at Telefonkhaneh Alley, Darvazeh Dowlat, and so the first lamps of the Chehel-Sotoun Palace and its surrounding streets were lit by the Dahesh Factory.

Foreign Travel Writers in Isfahan: Engelbert Kaempfer

The Ladies’ Street

Engelbert Kaempfer, the German physician and traveller who travelled to Iran at the time of Shah Suleiman’s coronation, recounted what he saw in his travelogue.

Isfahan's Heritage: Jahan Hotel

The Most Modern Hotel of Isfahan in the Pahlavi Era

Jahan Hotel, which had started working much before the Abbasi Hotel, continued its activities up until the 60s (SH), yet was suddenly abandoned.

Isfahan's Heritage: Chaharbagh

The Most Familiar Path

Isfahan’s Chaharbagh was the busiest passage of the city up until a few decades ago and not just a place to pass along, but one to stay in and visit friends at.

Foreign Travel Writers in Isfahan: Pierre Loti

A Skirt Full of Roses

Up until a hundred years ago, Isfahan’s rose was world famous so much so that a world traveler such as Pierre Loti would take the trouble of going all the way from Champs-Élysées to Chaharbagh.

Isfahan's Heritage: The Abbasi Jame Mosque

The Marble Stones of the Mosque

When a shortage of marble was faced during the construction of the Abbasi Jame Mosque, Shah Abbas ordered them to compensate for it by removing and reusing the marble stones of the Atiq Jame Mosque.

Isfahan's Intangible Heritage: Hospitality

A Royal Traveller to Isfahan

The murals on the ceiling of one of the rooms in the northern hall of the Chehel Sotoun Palace is different from the rest.