Isfahan's Heritage: The Saru Taqi Mosque

A Brutal Life Lesson

The life story of Saru Taqi is very bitter and sorrowful. Saru Taqi was the son of a baker from Azerbaijan; yet he could reach the highest positions in the governmental system.

Isfahan's Heritage: The Maqsoud Beyk Mosque

The Shah’s Beloved Calligrapher!

Much has been said on the fame and glory of Mir Emad, but there is a story that explains the cause of Shah Abbas’s estrangement from the renowned calligrapher.

Isfahan's Heritage: The Sheikh-ul-Islam House

The Princess’s Wedding Gift

The Sheikh-ul-Islam Historic House was a gift from Shah Abbas II to his daughter, Sarv-Ghad Khanum, on the occasion of her marriage to Mohaghegh-e Sabzevari, who was a famous scholar of the Safavid period.

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: Traditional Games

The Ball and the Royal Field

Naqsh-e Jahan Square, with its vast dimensions, was the best place to play chogan. Another game called qapoq-andazi was also played in that field.

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.