Visiting Isfahan- I

After the cease fire in Lebanon, I feel a bit relieved. Here, I try to get back to the usual tune:

I had a short trip to Isfahan a couple of days ago. To me, this city in central part of Iran is the most beautiful city of the country. It's the usual tourist destination of all those who travel to Iran. It was the capital city about 450 years ago and then it was of the few cities of the world having a population more than 1 million. You can imagine the flourishing life then. Isfahan is rich in its historical treasures. The city embraces an international cultural heritage- Naqshe Jahan Square. The square locates three architectural masterpieces in; two mosques and a four storey palace at the third side. The fourth side is the entrance of the old bazaar connecting the Square and Jame' mosque, the only monument dating back to 1000 years ago. The city is divided into two southern and northern parts by a river called Zayande Rud. Four historical bridges are constructed on it. The scenery of the river and the bridges is amazing. If you had a chance to come to Iran, you need more than one week to visit the entire city.

* Uploading images in blogger is an agony. If not, I would have loved to post a lot more.

See o se pol (meaning 33 bridges) - of the ancient bridges (may be the most famous one) crossing Zayande Rud, the river diving the city. The scenery is amazing and I never lose the opportunity to roam around and enjoy its beauty. The historical bridges on Zayande Rud are made of bricks and stones mainly and have been used during all these long years. Nowadays they are just used by pedestrians.

The sign quotes from prophet Mohammad:" Throw away the hatred!"


A samavor and tea pots beside, waiting to fill the stakans . I took the picture in a restaurant we lunched in.

Armenians were taken to Iran some 450 years ago forcefully by one of Safavid kings, then rulers of Iran. They were supposed to transfer know-how and technical knowledge to Iran and actually they did. Armenians are known as some technical minded people in Iran. The rate of education is high in them disproportionate to their population ratio. In Isfahan they live mostly in a district called Julfa. This is a picture of Vank church in Julfa. The beautiful thing is the dome which is usually an Islamic architectural element beside their own gothic dome. The church is registered as a cultural heritage.

Hassan Nassrallah on a billboard. It quotes from Khamenei:" Stronger than ever, the Muslim nations of the world hate America and are angry with it."

Women in front of a gold shop- a familiar scene in Iran.
Golden ornaments are not just ornaments, they are kind of investment for our women who don't have any rights after marriage. They pile golden necklaces and bracelets and earrings to be sold and used whenever needed- for unpredicted circumstances. For this reason, gold is exchanged in whatsoever ceremonies come up; giving birth to a child, wedding, graduating from university, etc.

The beautiful dome of an old religious school- Chahar Bagh school. Like most of historical monuments in Isfahan, it dates back to 450 years ago.