Isfahan’s ancient monuments

Sheikh Lotfollah Mosque

On the east side of the Naghshe Jahn Square stands a mosque which was built for worshiping and teaching religious courses held by the late Sheikh Lotfollah, who was one of the great scholars and clerics in Jabal Lebanon when Shah Abbas 1 of the Safavid ruled. The monument construction lasted from 1011 AH to 1028 AH. It has a Shabestan, a kind of underground basement that can be usually found in the architecture of Ancient Persian mosques, houses, and schools, and a beautiful dome. There was no need to build courtyards and minarets as it was for scientific and religious purposes only. The dome is placed on an eight-chevron vault, the edges of which are decorated by spiral turquoise tiles.
The mosque's interior, particularly the altar, is adorned by unique masterpieces of mosaic and seven- color tiling. There are two inscriptions in the altar which read: By poor and humble Mohammad Bin Hossein Esfahani who calls for God's mercy.
The writing shows that the artists and builders of that era submitted themselves to the eternal power of almighty God and were never arrogant or haughty.

Jame Mosque of Isfahan

Isfahan Mosque was built on the northwest corner of the old square. The original mosque is situated next to the old village called Yavaran and probably on a pre-Islamic monument.
Isfahan received Islam in 24 AD and built the original mosque in a more limited size in 156 AD. In the third hijri century a much larger mosque was founded on the original one due to urban development and population growth. The main mysterious architectural style used in it dates back to the Seljuk period; the method is secret. In this style the beautiful external and internal knotted brick facades of domes of Khaki and Nezamol Mulk are done skillfully. Plaster architectural moldings in Uljayto decorative tile-works, masonry, vaulted or arched porches decorated with paintings and Kufic and Sols inscriptions represent Isfahan’s artists' interest and struggles to construct the monument. It is indeed a symbol of architecture and precious historical, cultural and artistic memories in Isfahan. And as a result it makes us dedicate ourselves to protect and conserve it as a religious, national and cultural responsibility.

Hasht Behesht (eight paradises) Palace

Nestled in BolBol garden (garden of nightingales) inside Safavid Dolatkhane (government house), it was constructed when Shah Soleiman was the king in the second half of the 11th hijri century.
In the south of the palace, there are a school, caravanserai and market built in the reign of Shah Soltan Hussein.
The name Hasht Behesht refers to the porch and entrance to heaven. The two-story stone monument is skillfully and proportionately designed in terms of architecture. In the middle of it there is an octagonal central main space. Two staircases connect the floors. Central octagonal porches, rooms, and corridors are embellished in various styles. It has a pearl pond and a fall in the southern porch whose water is supplied by an upper pond.

Khaju Bridge

In the east of Zayande Rood (Living River) and Khaju Bridge, there are monuments built when Shah Abbas II of the Safavid was the king in 1060 AD. The bridge was built for several purposes, the upper part for carriages and cattle to move quickly and pass, and the lower mainly for pedestrians to move and stop. The underside is made entirely of stone and mortar, and water passage openings were controlled by thick wooden boards. Once the openings were closed altogether the water level rose at the western part of the bridge and a tiny lake emerged. In the east, stone steps lead down to a point where visitors can touch the water. In addition, this staircase itself is a place to sit down and enjoy the natural scenery. In the central part of the bridge, there is the Bigler Beigi monument on the upper floor which covers two sides of the bridge hallway for receptions and official ceremonies. It has rooms decorated with golden motifs.

Thirty Three Arches Bridge (33 Pol) in Isfahan

When Isfahan is chosen as the capital in the Safavid Era it extends to the south to develop the city. Its main urban construction was the six-kilometer Chahar Bagh road extending from Dolat Gate towards the south. The road passed by a river and therefore the architects built the Allah Verdi Khan bridge known as the Thirty Three Arches Bridge (33 Pol) over Zayande Rood river (the living river).
It was built from 1008 AD to 1011 AD with a length of 300 m and a width of 14 m. The bridge has a wonderful architecture with long, organized and impressive openings. On the two sides of its upper level there are two enclosed corridors which provide safe shelters for pedestrians both in summer and winter. The bridge is remarkable with its unique architecture.

Klisa and Vank Museum

In the eleventh century, a number of Armenians living in Armenia were transferred to Isfahan and resided in a village known as “Jolfa”, southwest of Isfahan. Commands issued by the Safavid kings, guaranteed their religious freedom and thereby they supported the minority of Armenians. The minority inhabitants were mainly businessmen and people with technical knowledge who helped to build several churches like Vank Cathedral which combines the Persian and European architectures. Beside the church, decorated artistically with plaster moldings, paintings and gild, there is a valuable museum displaying fine art paintings, manuscripts and other precious artistic objects.

Atashgah – Isfahan’s Fire Temple.

Atashgah Mountain is situated 7 km west of Isfahan on the way to the Monar Jonban (Shaking Minarets). It is almost 1680 m above sea level. Belonging to the prehistoric buildings, a fire temple was built on top of it in the Sassanid Era made of large and thick bricks. The ruins which indicate where fire was made are still seen over the mountain.

Monar Jonban (Shaking Minarets)

The famous historical monument is located 5 km west of Isfahan on the road to Najafabad with one porch and two minarets .It is home to Abdullah bin Muhammad bin Mahmoud’s grave, one of the leading figures in the eighth hijri century. Built in the reign of Mughal Ilkhan, it is a precious monument in terms of the architecture. If one minaret is shaken, the second one starts shaking in a noticeable way. It wasn’t built to shake as it would damage the whole monument.
Its porch is 10 m above surface and minarets are 5.17 m high.