Day 1

• Naghsh-e Jahan  Square
• Imam Khomeini Mosque 
• Sheikh Lotf-Allah 
• Ali-Qapu Palace 
• Qeysarieh Bazaar

Naghsh-e Jahan Square

Needed Equipment: comfortable shoes (sneakers), a compact camera, light and cool outfit when the weather is warm; and if it is cold, warm clothing.

Naghsh-e Jahan Square was established in 1612, under the Safavid King, Shah Abbas I, in the center of Isfahan.

Due to its magnificence and huge dimensions, as well as the importance of the surrounding monuments, Naghsh-e Jahan Square is in fact considered one of the historic squares in the world. The designer was (Ali-Akbar Isfahani Molk Al-Memar> who used to work in the King’s court. Since its foundation, the square has received few changes. Among the monuments that were later destroyed, one can point to the Clock Tower situated north of Sheikh Lotf-Allah Mosque, and also the place where the drums were used to be beaten above the Qeysarieh Bazaar Portal. The lawn area and the basin found in the middle of the square actually belong to the Pahlavi era. During the reign of the Safavid dynasty, Naghsh-e Jahan Square served a playground and a field for holding the games of polo, a national sport in Iran of the time; but which is now almost forgotten today. Enjoying an 80,000 square meter area (510 meter long, and 163 meter wide), Naghsh-e Jahan Square is regarded the second largest square in the world, after Tiananmen Square in Beijing.

Imam Khomeini Mosque

The Abbasi Grand Mosque building is located south of the historic square of Naghsh-e Jahan. It was founded in 1611 under Shah Abbas I, celebrating the anniversary of his 24th year kingdom. In 1616, when the foundation of other parts of the Mosque was still being laid down, the mosque door was installed in order to ornate the grand square. For this purpose, a valuable portal with mosaic art work was used.

The epigraph above the mosque portal was written by Alireza Abbasi in 1616, in Sols script. It says that Shah Abbas | established the Grand Mosque by his personal finance, so as the spiritual reward of this action be dedicated to the soul of his grandfather, Shah Tahmasb.

This mosque is an everlasting masterpiece of Iranian architecture, displaying the tile working and carving art in the 16th century.

The turquoise, blue and yellow colors, the delicate golden patterns on the dome and below the ceiling, and also the tile work on the walls of this lofty monument are indeed eye-catching.

The silver entrance doors which are gilded belong to Shah Safi era.

In this mosque, there are several beautifully carved stone- troughs, the origin of which is in the Safavid period.

Sheikh Lotf-Allah Mosque

This mosque is one of the most reputable historical and religious monuments. The tile work adornments could be found in the interior. The mosaics in fact cover the footstalls upward. Likewise, the previous mosaic art work could be found on the interior and exterior of its unique dome, making it one of the most attractive mosque domes in Isfahan.

Some of the mosaic works of this construct show Alireza Abbasi’s calligraphy, a great master of this art in the Safavid era. The construction of the mosque began in the early years of the 16th century under Shah Abbas . Before the completion of the monument, a beautiful portal was made and installed in 1603.

Sheikh Lotf-Allah was one of the great Shiite scholars. Originally one of the people of Mis, Sheikh Lotf Allah was in fact a native of Jebel Amel Village located in the contemporary Lebanon. Invited by the Shah Abbas , he came to Isfahan and settled there. This mosque was actually built in his honor and to glorify his high status, so he would also hold teaching classes and perform prayers there. This is why his name is likewise given to this edifice.

Unlike the turquoise domes of other mosques, the dome of Sheikh Lotf-Allah Mosque enjoys a crème color, adorned with blue stars.

Ali-Qapu Palace

The royal hall of Åli-Qapu is located west of Naghsh-e Jahan Square. An architectural wonder of the Safavid era, it was built in the early years of the 16th century under the Great Shah Abbas. Ali-Qapu Palace is in fact 48 meters high, and somehow regarded the first Iranian skyscraper. A multi-functional edifice, Åli-Qapu was used by Shah Abbas I and his successors alike. The historians of Shah Abbas refer to it as «The Blessed State Hall of Naghsh-e Jahan».

The first floor of the palace served the commandership headquarters of the watchmen and officials. It was the only section of the palace where the ordinary people could enter, in order to submit their petitions and complaints to the king.

The largest hall was situated in the sixth floor to serve a salon for domestic and international political meetings and negotiations in the time of Shah Abbas . Later, during the reign of his successors, the hall lost this functionality and turned into a party room renowned as «The Music Room».

Artistic miniatures of Reza Abbasi (the well known painter in the time of Shah Abbas) displaying floral and fowl patters, foliage designs, images of birds and beasts and also the beautiful plaster works are all  worth seeing in this palace. The lofty terrace of Åli-Qapu Palace enjoys a wooden ceiling B & decorated with paintings and wood carvings.

Qeysarieh Bazaar

Despite the existence of several traditional and maze-like markets, Qeysarieh Bazaar with its magnificent portal is found on Naghsh-e Jahan Square too. It is marked with mosaic work decorations and wall paintings or murals. The two part mosaic portal shows the picture of a shooter with a human torso, a tiger lower part and a dragon tail. This scene refers to the zodiac sign of Sagittarius (half horse shape).

The structure of bazaar is organized in a way that the alleys are actually corridors covered with roof. The vendor’s shops are located on the two sides of the corridors. The alleys converge with one another in a place called Chaharsough (The Four Markets). The dome found in this location is in fact higher than those in the bazaar corridors. Along the corridors, small shops, offices and caravansaries could be observed. This complex in fact includes handicraft workshops, mosques, religious schools and public buildings. Not very far in time, over Qeysarieh portal, there was a special place where the drums were beaten.

Day 2

• The Fire Temple- The Bird Garden
• The Moving Minearets 

The Fire Temple – The Bird Garden

Needed Equipment: comfortable shoes (sneakers), sunglasses, a cap and light meal.

8 Kilometers west of Isfahan, on the road to Najafabad, there is a small mount in the shape of a hill, upon which one can find the ruins made of thick and firm bricks. This location is in fact not far from Zayandehrood River. The debris is believed to belong to the foundation of a fire temple, in the Sassanid era. Later on, during the Islamic period, other constructs were added to it.

The Bird Garden 

Along the river of Zayandehrood, and in the middle of the abundant gardens located on the road to Najafabad, a little after the fire temple, there is a very beautiful garden with its unique birds that attract the visitors. In this magnificent garden, the birds with their origin in Iran and other parts of Asia, as well as those from Africa and the rest of the world are kept. They actually live in a natural and wild ecosystem.

The Moving Minarets

Constructed in the form of a mausoleum with two minarets, the site is actually built upon the tomb of «Amoo Abd Allah», one of the hermits of the city of Zahedan in the 14th century Iran. The grave stone marks the date of 1316, that is, the later period of the reign of Oljaytou, one of the Khans of Moguls. The balcony of this edifice is garnished with tile works and azure tiles in the form of four pointed stars. Certain other tiles with turquoise color and different shapes adorn the two part ceiling and side walls of the balcony.

Day 3

• Chehel-Sotun( Forty Column) PALACE
• Hasht Behesht(The 8 Paradise) GARDEN
• The Decorative Art Museum

Chehel-Sotun (Forty Column] PALACE

Needed Equipment: comfortable shoes (sneakers) and a compact camera.

The 67,0000 square meter garden of Chehel-Sotun was built during the reign of Shah Abbas. It encompasses the construct of Chehel-Sotun in the center. Under Shah Abbas , the monument accepted general alterations. Among the changes, one can point out the addition of the mirror hall, the 18 column hall, the two large chambers situated in the north and south of the mirror hall, the balconies that surround the royal parlor and also the large basin opposite the hall to the main construct.

The name of this monument owes to the reflection of the real 20 columns of the Chehel Sotun Hall in the pool opposite the construct, which makes it a 40 column edifice.

Hasht Behesht [The 8 Paradise] GARDEN

Hasht Behesht Palace was built in 1669, during the reign of the Safavid King Soleiman, in the center of a garden named «Bolbol [Nightingale) Garden». It is regarded one of the most beautiful constructs of the Safavid period. The tile works covering the façade of the palace are indeed noteworthy, illustrating the images of all kinds of animals, including the birds, the beasts and the reptiles. The upper walls of the palace depict various shapes resembling those found in Ali Qapu palace, and include plaster works too. In the four corners of this edifice, there are balconies each different from the other, as far as the configuration and the ornaments are concerned. There is also a hidden staircase that leads to the upper floor which is also worth visiting.

The Decorative Art Museum

Established in 1995, the Museum of Decorative Arts includes over 3000 art works of the Safavid and Qajar eras. In the times of Shah Abbas I and his successors, this construct used to serve a stable for the Chehel Sotun Palace, and the barn included the horse supplies and accessories. The multi storey tower next to it was in fact built during the Qajar period. It was first used as a control tower and then turned into a prison.

Day 4

• Gar Mosque
• Barisan Mosque and Mineart

Gar Mosque

Needed Equipment: comfortable shoes (sneakers), sunglasses, a cap, a camera, some drinking water and a light meal for walking hours.

In winters, warm clothes are also necessary This monument is located 22 Kilometers east of Isfahan, and on the southern bank of Zayanderoud River. Today, a minaret and a part of the walls that once belonged to the dome house have only remained. The Seljuk inscription on the minaret, along with certain other garnishes and inscription remainders from the time of Ilkhans all testify to the fact that the original construct of the mosque is actually associated with the Seljuk era. However, it underwent renovation during the reign of Ilkhanis. Likewise, an altar and certain ornaments were added to it at the time The altar of the mosque is located southward, and includes plaster works and inscriptions from Quran, written in Sols and Kufi scripts. Of course, the main section of the altar has been destroyed. The Seljuk minaret is placed 50 meters above the main monument.

Barsian Mosque and Minaret

<Barsian> or <Bārsian> is most probably rooted in the word of «Parsian». It is a village located 42 kilometers east of Isfahan. Some believe it to belong to the Sassanid era. The mosque construct was established during the time of Barkiaraq Seljuk. Barsian Minaret is considered the fourth ancient scripted minaret of Iran. The lower part is consisted of plain bricks. However, the upper part is made of brick work ornaments. Due to the skillful brick work and eye-catching altar, this mosque is indeed worth seeing. A new terrace and balcony were added to the northern side of the mosque during the time of Shah Tahmasb Safavi. It was likewise in the Safavid era when a caravansary was built next to the mosque.