Isfahan: Destination Of The Day (PHOTOS)

"Esfahān nesf-e jahān" ... Isfahan is one half of the world. So goes the old Persian proverb.

And, at least in the 16th century, Isfahan truly merited the title. The capital of Persia during the Safavid dynasty, Isfahan was an important trading city and home to some of the finest monuments of Persian-Islamic architecture in the world.

Today, Isfahan is the second largest city in Iran (after Tehran), and one of the most popular cities for tourists. Graced with gorgeous boulevards and bridges, beautiful blue-tiled mosques, gardens and palaces, churches and ancient Zoroastrian temples, Isfahan retains much of its past glory.

No matter your stance on the state of Iranian politics, Istafan is certainly worth checking out.

Check out the Lonely Planet Guide to Isfahan!

 

Have you been to Isfahan? Send us pictures!

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Naqsh-e Jahan / Imam Square

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Comments

[Khirad]

04:31 PM on 12/04/2010

I hope to make it here one day. It is a dream of mine.

[leutenizer banned twice]

01:58 AM on 12/07/2010

Get a ticket and go like the rest of us.

[Opinionated1111]

07:40 PM on 12/02/2010

Too bad - it's in Iran..................

[Magic 62]

11:27 PM on 12/02/2010

Too bad .. you have no class.

[firoozeh sarraf bank]

01:57 PM on 12/05/2010

can you tell me why?! i'm an iranian girl and live in isfahan and want to know why do you think so?

[tucsoncindy]

01:44 AM on 12/02/2010

Beautiful. I will have to read up on the history, as it looks like a place of
many many faiths. I hope it doesn't get bombed into h@//.

[messy]

08:07 AM on 12/02/2010

Go here
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/eric-lurio/notes-on-the-iranpersia-c_b_167200.html

[tucsoncindy]

08:13 AM on 12/02/2010

much thanks messy... history is so important, isn't it.

[nwfurn]

12:25 AM on 12/02/2010

Gorgeous looking place! Sort of reminds me of Istanbul sans the wide boulevards.

[Avirahim]

10:36 PM on 12/01/2010

Refershing to an article about Iran, that isn't negative for a change.

Seems like a nice place to go.

I heard the name for the city came from a saying meaning "half of the world", Nefsa-Jahan. I think it was called that because it was the half way point on the Silk Road, and the Silk Road was considered the main route for the Old World, which was then the known world.

[Vahuman]

11:18 PM on 12/01/2010

Quote: "Refershing to an article about Iran, that isn't negative for a change."
Yeah, what happened, what gives? It's media blasphemy.

The older versions of its known names were Ispahan, Sepahan, it didn't have to do with the half the world proverb. I read about the part of the city that no longer exists by travellers and emissaries from other countries (when it was the capitol hundreds of years ago), it was one of a kind and very huge, that was where the king met people and ambassadors from other countries. It has been built on.

[messy]

08:10 AM on 12/02/2010

Iran is a beautiful country filled with fascinating people. Were it not for the contemptable government, it would be one of the great tourist destinations of the world.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/eric-lurio/notes-on-the-iranpersia-c_b_167200.html
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/eric-lurio/notes-on-the-iranpersia-c_b_170859.html

[Alberto66]

09:02 PM on 12/01/2010

Been there 3 times in last 3 years. A very, very beautiful city with all kinds of antiquities, parks, bazaars and nice people. Highly recommended.The Iman square bazaar, palace and mosques are reason enough. In one place.

[firoozeh sarraf bank]

02:29 PM on 12/05/2010

I am so happy to read your comment . i am an iranian and living in isfahan. you welcome to my city more and more.

[LMPE]

08:53 PM on 12/01/2010

Say, um, anywhere in Isfahan where I can find a lamp containing a pink-clad genie who blinks her eyes to grant wishes?

Just kidding. Really cool city.

[jaatelo]

06:39 PM on 12/01/2010

Very nice memories from Isfahan about a year ago. There was still some demonstration in Iran but I didn't see any. I was two days in Isfahan and luckily happend to be same time as Shia festival. They invaited the tourists (half a dozen) to see the parade from the terace of the palace. The square is now a bit different as in the wikimedia picture, not so many trees. They were renovating the palace and it had scaffolding in front of it.

[firoozeh sarraf bank]

02:04 PM on 12/05/2010

you welcome to my city whenever you want.

[Vantunow]

06:27 PM on 12/01/2010

Necons can't wait to turn this all into rubble!

[tbone99]

06:39 PM on 12/01/2010

They are jealous other countries actually have a culture - centuries old

[3daywkend]

08:17 PM on 12/01/2010

Iran has turned it's back on culture and turned to the dark side.

[messy]

08:12 AM on 12/02/2010

What makes you think that?

[PaticaDeGato]

06:13 PM on 12/01/2010

But, isn´t Iran supposed to be like Mordor?

[messy]

08:13 AM on 12/02/2010

Just the high government officials. The country itself is magnificent.

[DWGRadio]

06:08 PM on 12/01/2010

I would love to check this place out, armed with a couple of expensive cameras. :)

[messy]

08:14 AM on 12/02/2010

There are travel agencies that specialize in Iranian tourism. It's expensive though.

[Magic 62]

11:30 PM on 12/02/2010

Not really. There is Iran air tours and few others. Get a flight deal to UAE, hop over to Kish Island and go from there.

[Aldo Rodriguez]

05:54 PM on 12/01/2010

Elegant and beautiful (and delicious! That Persian tea and fruit looks mouth-wateringly tasty!)

[uansari1]

07:51 PM on 12/01/2010

Paired with a hookah, there's nothing better.

[Aldo Rodriguez]

08:40 PM on 12/01/2010

Thank you for the suggestion, but I don't smoke. Can you recommend an alternative?

[Nicholas Roy]

05:38 PM on 12/01/2010

nice pics

[OldTart]

05:37 PM on 12/01/2010

In light of all that has happened in the Middle East in the last few years I made it a point to brush up on Persian history. Utterly amazing! I recommend it for those whose time span can embrace something beyond the present moment. And these photos are a testimony to the richness of that culture.

[LMPE]

08:52 PM on 12/01/2010

I had read some about Iran's history. I also just saw Marjane Satrapi's "Persepolis".

[Alberto66]

09:06 PM on 12/01/2010

History is right. Persepolis ruins are over 2,500 years old built by Darius the Great and sacked by Alexander the Great. Near Shiraz another beautiful city with bazaars, gardens, poet's tombs and great food.

[AbuHamza]

05:13 PM on 12/01/2010

Amazing shots!