Esfahan

Overview

Isfahan or Esfahan is one of the oldest cities of Iran with the 1,001,000 population located 355 km (220 miles) south of Tehran. This 2 500 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.

The city's golden age took place under the reign of Shah Abbas I (1587-1629) who unified Persia. Once the capital of ancient dynasties, Isfahan reached height of prosperity and fame as the seat of the Safavid Kings in the seventeenth century. At that time, Isfahan, enjoyed the reputation of being one of the largest and most beautiful cities in the whole world.

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.

History

Esfahan's history began about 2500 years ago.

During Omar's caliphate, Isfahan was occupied by the Muslems, and ruled by rulers appointed by the caliphs for about 300 years. It was a capital city during the reign of the Buyids and Seljuqs.

Following the Seljuqs'era till the reign of the Safavids, Isfahan was subjected to plunder, mass murder, and destruction on two occasions. Also, great losses were inflicted upon it during the Mongols period and following Teymur's assault on this city. In 1621 the Safavids' capital was transferred from Qazvin to Isfahan.

It is said that during the reign of King Abbas Safavi, Isfahan's population reached to one million, and it was considered as one of the most developed Iranian cities, possessing a great number of broad streets, great squares, mosques and imperial palaces.