The capital of Isfahan province, and the
Persians call it Nesf-e Jahan (Half The
World)
Isfahan is one of the oldest cities of
Iran with the 1,001,000 population
located 414 km south of Tehran and 481
km north of Shiraz. This 2500 years old
city served as Persia's capital from
1598 to 1722.
Isfahan was a crossroad of international
trade and diplomacy, and therefore was a
kaleidoscope of resident languages,
religions, and customs. The city is
known for its silver filigree and metal
work.
This city is renowned not only for the
abundance of great historical monuments,
but also for its Life-Giving River, The
Zayandeh-Rood, which has given the city
an original beauty and a fertile land.
Isfahan is filled with old gardens and
some of the best sights in Iran.
In the Arsacides (Parthians) era,
Isfahan was the center and capital city
of a wide province, which was
administered by Arsacide governors.
In Sassanids time, Isfahan was governed
by "Espoohrans" or the members of seven
noble Iranian families who had important
royal positions, it played a residencial
role for these noble families as well.
Moreover, in this period Isfahan was a
military center with strong
fortifications. This city was occupied
by Arabs after final defeat of Iranians.
After Islam, Isfahan was under
domination of Arabs, like other cities
of Iran, till the early 10th century
A.D., and it was paid attention only by
Caliph Mansour. In the reign of
Malekshah Saljooghi, Isfahan was again
selected as capital and began another
golden age. In this period, Isfahan was
one of the most thriving and important
cities of the world.
This city was conquered by Mongols in
13th century A.D. and they massacred the
people. After the invasions of Mongols
and Taymour, as the result of its
suitable geographic situation, Isfahan
flourished again especially in Safavid
time, which developed considerably.
After selection of Isfahan as capital by
Shah Abbas I (1587-1629) who unified
Persia it reached to its pinnacle of
briskness. Isfahan had parks, libraries
and mosques that amazed Europeans, who
had not seen anything like this at home.
The Persians called it Nisf-e-Jahan,
half the world; meaning that to see it
was to see half the world.
Isfahan became one of the world's most
elegant cities. In its heyday it was
also one of the largest with a
population of one million; 163 mosques,
48 religious schools, 1801 shops and 263
public baths.
Decline of Safavid dynasty by Mahmood
Afghan and conquest of Isfahan a 6 month
siege, caused a degeneration period for
this city. In Afsharieh and Zandieh
times it flourished again but during
Qajars reign, due to choosing Tehran as
capital, Isfahan began to decline once
more.
Isfahan, regarding its historical and
geographic conditions, was paid
attention during Pahlavi time and some
endeavors were made for repair and
restoration of historical monuments.
Moreover, Isfahan and the province
redeveloped and industrialized rapidly.
During last two decades, Isfahan
developed with a very high rate of
acceleration from urban development
point of view, highly observing
restoration of historical monuments.
Today, Isfahan is a major industrial
center and also is one of the important
tourism centers of Iran and the world.
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Isfahan
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