Tavel And Tour TO IRAN - Isfehan

Isfehan

The unique blue tiles of Isfahan's Islamic buildings, and the city's majestic bridges, contrast perfectly with the hot, dry Iranian countryside around it, Isfahan is a sight you won't forget. Not only is the architecture superb and the climate pleasant, but there's a fairly relaxed atmosphere here, compared with many other Iranian towns. It's a city for walking, getting lost in the bazaar, walking in beautiful gardens and meeting people.

The famous half-rhyme Isfahan nesf-e-jahan (Isfahan is half the world) was coined in the 16th century to express the city's grandeur. There's so much to see that you'll probably have to ration your time and concentrate on must-sees such as the Imam Mosque, a magnificent building completely covered in Isfahan's trademark pale blue tiles; This mosque is situated to the south of Naqsh-e-Jahan square. built in the reign of shah  Abbas, tile work and architecture of this Mosque is amazingly superb. Its minarets Are 48 meters high. Naghsh-e-Jahan (world picture) Square, one of the largest town square in the world. The Chehel Sotun Museum and Palace, a marvellous seventheenth century pavilion and a great place for a picnic; this palace is another building dating back to the Safavid period, built amidst a vast garden covering an area of 67000 sq m. The building has a veranda with 18 pillars and a large pool in front of it. Being mirrored in the still water of the pool, the pillars create a beautiful view.

The wall painting in the interior of the building is superlative in their kind.Ali Qapoo Palace Situated to the west of Naghsh-e-Jahan Sq. belongs to the Safavid period. It was used for the reception of the Ambassadors and envoys from other Countries.



Ali Qapoo is a six-storied plasterwork and paintings of which are extremely impressive. and the Vank Cathedral, the historic focal point of the Armenian church in Iran. Taking tea in one of the teahouses under the bridges is also an essential part of the Isfahan experience.

Isfahan is about 400km (250ml) south of Tehran. Several flights make the trip daily. There are buses, usually overnight, to Tehran, Shiraz and other domestic cities. The express train between Isfahan and Tehran might be a preferable alternative to sitting all night on the seat.

Ardestan

Lying in the margin of the central desert of Iran, this town is one hundred eighty Kilometer north East of Isfahan cities. Dating back to the Parthian period. Ardestan contains famous monuments, such as historical mosques and etc...

Ardestan township is located 416 kilometer. South to Tehran on the eastern outskirts of central mountains adjacent to desert. There are isolated mountains, extensions of mountains which called Karkas (means Lammergeyer), in the south of the Ardestan. The climate of Ardestan is warm in the north of the city and cold in mountainous area of the south. According to different narratives, Ardestan is an old city founded by Dastan Saam, father of Rostam (in Shahname Ferdosi). A fire-temple was built there by Ardeshir I the founder of Sassanide dynasty. Also, it is the birthplace of Anooshiravan. In early fourth century AH., it was a fortified city with five gates covering an area of one square mile.

The historical and eye-catching sites of Ardestan are:

Several underground water reservoirs, Jogand caravansary on Ardestan-Na’een road, Water mill aggregate in Ramian and Zavareh, Sarhang Abad palace aggregate in east of Zavareh, Several old mosques.

Ardestan (city in Isfahan province)

Ardestan, in the margin of the central desert of Iran, dating back to the Parthian period it contains famous monuments, such as historical mosques. This city is within the limits of the province of Semnan in the north, to its south is Esfahan, whereas, in the east and west are Naein, Natanz and Kashan respectively. The erection of this township is associated to Saam the father of the athletic hero Rostam. The word Ardestan is a distorted version of the word `Argdastan`. The native structural facet of this township and its famous and historical Jame mosque, a remnant of the Saljuqi era can be said to be a place of interest.

Khomeyni Shahr

Located 3 Km north west of Isfahan, dates back to the Sasaanian epoch. Kooh-Atashgan and Jame’ mosque are among its monuments.

Khansar

This town that dates back to circa 1000 year ago, is situated in a green valley. Being snowy in winter and mild in summer, it enjoys many natural sights. Golestan Kooh, Sar Cheshmeh park and historical monuments like Jame’ mosque, Baba Pir and Shahzadeh Ahmad are among places worthy to visit.

Enjoying a pleasant weather, this eye-catching city is located in the west of Isfahan. According to existing historical evidences, the antiquity of the city is more than 1000 years. Since Safavid time, Khansar was one of the large scientific centers and so many great Shi’it scholars educated there. The most important worth seeing places of this city are as follows.

Hot mineral water springs in Golestan Kooh, Cheshmeh (Spring) Omid, east of Khansar, Jame ’mosque and Mariam Beygom school in Khansar city.

Khansar is a small city with a limited population, but it has been for centuries a centre for training thinkers, poets, the great and especially theologians; then we can call Khansar the crandle of education of religious authorities during the latest seven centuries.

On the basis of a research, the Mashayekh Family has been known as the off springs of Jabber Ibn Abdollah Ansari [the honorable companion of generous high-minded Prophet].

The existence of noble theologians and Gnostics whom devoted their life to AHL-E-BAIT [the family of Prophet Mohammad] is the reason of prominence of this family in Khansar. The cause of popularity of this family [Mashayekh] is that the origin of this family is from Sheykh Sadr Al-Din Hossein _ a really great Gnostic and a divine sage _ whose pure shrine placed in Sarcheshme-ye Khansar. He was the source of spreading about public instructions of Ahlebyt and also he was the cause of converting the religion of a lot of people towards Shiite in that region.

Deceased Mirza Rahim Ansarian is from the grandsons of this supreme high savant and also is the great grandfather of Professor. He was, on the basis of AYAT-ALLAH SAFAIE-YE-KHANSARIE’s statement, a real devotee, diligent and perfect man. This caused that his great sublime uncle Deceased AYAT-ALLAH ALOZMA HAJ SHAIKH MOUSAVIE KHANSARIE, one of the great religious authorities of NAJAF, and the owner of the honorable book “Monyat-ot-taleb fee sharh-el-makaseb” had a special esteem and a remarkable attention towards him.

The deliberate thoughtful man, Professor HUSSAN ANSARIAN, in this family of piety, science and practice was born in 1323, on the basis of solar calendar, in the city of KHANSAR. On 1325, his family, because of misfortune of the Time, migrated to Tehran and were settled in a district named Lorzadeh. He himself writes about that time: “On that occasion a mosque was built on that district by a generous character and jurisprudent theologian named HOJJAT-OL-ESLAM HAJ SHAIKH ALI AKBAR BORHAN. Beside that mosque, he also established a kindergarten and a school for both boys and girls in order to conflict with wretched culture of PAHLAVIE household.

History of Isfahan

Prehistory

History of Isfahan can be traced back to the Palaeolithic period. In recent Archaeological discoveries, archaeologist have found artifacts, dated back to Palaeolithic, Mesolithic, Neolithic, bronze and Iron ages.

Atashgah; A Sassanid Fire Temple in Isfahan.
From Elamites to Arab Invasion

Ancient Isfahan was part of Elamite empire. Under the name of Aspandana it became one of the principal towns of Median dynasty, when Iranian Medes settled there. Subsequently the province became part of Achaemenid Empire and after liberation of Iran from Macedonian occupation by the Arsacids, it became part of Parthian Empire. Isfahan was the centre and capital city of a wide province, which was administered by Arsacid governors. In Sassanid era, Isfahan was governed by "Espoohrans" or the members of seven noble Iranian families who had important royal positions, it played a residential role for these noble families as well. Moreover, in this period Isfahan was a military centre with strong fortifications. This city was occupied by Arabs after final defeat of Iranians.

Arab Invasion

Isfahan, like other cities of Iran, fell under the rule of Arabs until the Abbasid era, only being attended to by al-Mansour. In the 10th century, under the Buwayhid Dynasty, Isfahan regained its importance. In the reign of Malik Shah I of the Seljuk dyansty, Isfahan was again selected as capital and commenced another golden age. In this period, Isfahan was one of the most thriving and important cities of the world. The famous Iranian philosopher Avicenna lived and taught there in the 11th century.

This city was raided and massacred by The Mongols in the 13th century, followed by Timur in 1387. However, as the result of its suitable geographic situation, Isfahan flourished again especially in Safavid time, which developed considerably.

The Golden Age of Isfahan arrived in the 16th century under Shah Abbas the Great (1587-1629), who made it the new capital of the Safavid dynasty. During the reign of Shah Abbas I, who unified Persia, Isfahan reached 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 Nesf-e-Jahan, half the world; meaning that to see it was to see half the world. 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.

In 1722, it was raided by the Afghans after a long siege, which left much of the city in ruins. Although the Afghans were a primary cause of Isfahan's decline, this can also be attributed to the development of maritime commerce by European merchants from such countries such as the Netherlands. Isfahan's wealth originated in its role as a chief waystation along the trans-Asia trade route, but trade dwindled as the cheaper sea routes increased in popularity for transporting commodities between Asia and Europe. It was only in the 20th century under Reza Shah Reza Pahlavi that the city was finally revived.

Isfahanis also where Arthur Pope and his wife Phyllis Ackerman are buried.

Culture of Isfahan

As opposed to rival Ottoman architecture, which focuses on scale and grandeur, Safavid architecture targets refinement in subtlety. View of Chehel-sotoon Palace.

The architecture of Isfahan is made up of eight traditional forms which taken together form the foundation in the same way that music was once based on a finite number of notes.

These are modulated by the use of colors and textures to leaven the surfaces and are held together in an overall construction akin to that of a sonata in which connection leads to culmination through a transition space. To appreciate the skill of the architects and designers fully, it is necessary to have an appreciation of these fundamental concepts i.e. garden, platform, porch, gateway, dome, arched chamber, and minaret, although in the geometry and architecture of the buildings they are woven together to present a seamless whole.

Semirom

Situated in a mountainous region, 165 Km south of Isfahan, this town has a cold climate. The following are among its interesting places: The waterfall of Semirom, Takht-e-Soleyman and Padena village.

 Farsi (Persian) is the language which is predominantly spoken _of course, in some areas the Azerbaijani, Armenian and Hebrew Languages are also spoken. Various historical monuments, for which Isfahan is world famous, are scattered throughout the province, indicating its antiquity. Several of these monuments have been registered by the UNESCO as historical buildings. Isfahan is the capital city of the province, while the following are its other cities: Ardestan, Khansar, Khomeyni-Shahr, Semirom, Faridan, Fereydoon-Shahr, Kashan, Falavarjan, Shah-Reza, Golpayegan, Lanjan, Na'een, Najaf-Abad and Natanz.All these cities are linked with each other and with other provinces by highways or suitable roads. The airportof Isfahan, located to the north-east of the city, with a capacity of 500 flights each day plays an important role in linking Isfahan with the neighboring countries.

Isfahan

Standing 1570 m above the sea level,Isfahan is 414 Km south of Tehran. This world-famous city with many historical buildings, bridges and eye-catching places, is one of the most significant tourist attractions in Iran ,so that almost all tourists visiting Iran go on a visit to Isfahan. Dating back to circa 2500 years ago,Isfahan has been the capital of Iran in three historical periods. The golden age of Isfahan was in the Safavid era (1501 - 1736).

Isfahan

Iran cultural safari, Iran travel, travel to Iran, Iran culture, cultural tour, Iran cultural travel, Iran cultural, Iran tour, Iran culture travel and tour, Iran safari, Iran hunting safari, Iran hunting, Iran cultural and hunting tour, Iran trip, Iran tour and travel agency, Iran culture, cultural, culture, culture safari Iran hunting trip, cultural travel to Iran, tour, tour to Iran, tour package culture tour in Iran, Iran old culture, hunting sheep Isfahan cultural mosqueIsfahan, also spelled Esfahan, major city of the Seljuk Turks (11th-12th century) and of the Safavid dynasty of Iran (16th-18th century), now a major city in west central Iran. It lies on the Zayandeh-rud River, about 210 miles (340 km) south of Tehran. Little is known of Isfahan before Sasanian times (c. AD 224-c. 651).

 In the 4th century a colony of Jews was said to have been established in the suburb of Yahudiyeh. When the Arabs captured Isfahan in 642, they made it the capital of al-Jibal province. Toghrïl Beg, the Turkish conqueror and founder of the Seljuk dynasty, made Isfahan the capital of his domains in the mid-11th century; under his grandson Malik-Shah I (reigned 1073-92), the city grew in size and splendor. After the fall of the Seljuq dynasty (c. 1200), Isfahan temporarily declined. The city's golden age began in 1598 when Shah 'Abbas I the Great (reigned 1588-1629) made it his capital and rebuilt it into one of the largest and most beautiful cities of the 17th century.n the centre of the city he created the immense Meydan-e Imam (Imaml Square) as well as the noted Masjid-i Imam (Imam Mosque), which was not finished until after his death, and the Masjid-i Sheykh Lotfollah (Lotfollah Mosque). In 1722 the Ghilzay Afghans took the city after a long siege. An industrial quarter was built, and many of the historic buildings were restored. Isfahan, a major textile center, is well known for its handicrafts and traditional manufactures of tiles, rugs, and cotton fabrics. More modern industries include steelmaking and petroleum refining. The city is the home of Isfahan University (established 1936).

Kashan

This city, which is situated in the margin of the central desert of Iran, contains several sights and historical monuments. Vestiges found on Seelk hills, located threekilometer distant from the town, indicate that this area was a home of prehistoric man.

Kashan Location: Isfahan Province, 260 kilometers south of Tehran, 105 kilometers from Qom.

The favourite city of Shah Abbas, the seventeenth century ruler responsible for the construction of many of Iran's greatest buildings. Sites to visit include the enchanting Fin Garden with it natural springs, the Agha Bozorg Mosque & School, and the beautiful house of the merchant Boroujerdi.

Kashan is the first of the large oases along the Qom-Kerman road which runs along the edge of the Great Desert. Its charm is therefore mainly due to the contrast between the parched immensities of the Kavir region and the greenery of the well-tended oasis, to the lively atmosphere of this almost compulsory halt, the restful shade of cupola- or vault - covered houses and the coolness of gardens made even more pleasant by their water - fountains. The caravanserais near the city are in ruins but Kashan's secular function remains.

Between Kashan and Fin, there is a mosque-mausoleum overlooked by cypress-trees which serves as a dwelling-place for several families of carpet-weavers. Nearby, a small museum contains a few fine long-beaked vases, a speciality of ancient Kashi craftsmen which later became popular throughout Persia

"Aqa's School, (Madresa-e Aga), ninteenth Century"

In Kashan and in the neighboring towns of Ravand and Natanz, a picturesque event draws large crowds each year during the month of Moharram. The audience participates enthusiastically in the three day-reconstitution of Hossein's "passion-play" as a great martyr of the Shi'ite faith. The argument of this was written by a Kashi poet at the end of the sixteenth century.

"The portal of Maydan's Mosque"
"The Soltani School ninteenth Century"
"Broujerdi House"
"Bagh-e Fin "
"Portal of the main portico and the wind towers of Borujerdi House" Kashan's water-supply comes from a system of qanats which converge up on the oasis. But the city also benefits from the presence of nearby of an abundant spring which enabled King Shah Abbas the Great to create a blooming garden in the suburb of Fin (6 km south). Bagh-e Fin has its poetic appeal and gardeners are attempting to restore the luxuriance of flower-beds overlooked by century-old cypress-trees.

NATANZ

Natanz is a small mountain town located forty-nine miles from Kashan one of Isfahan cities, famed for it's bracing climate and fruit orchards. Vulture mountain looms over the town, and local residents point in its direction telling how the troops of Alexander killed the Achaemenian King, Darius III, nearby. Many small shrines dot the mountain side like the Shrine of Abdas-Samad as shown below. The elements in the present complex date from 1304 with subsequent additions and restorations. The lofty minaret is dated 1325. The pyramidal roof is over the tomb of the Shaykh which is dated 1307
"Shrine of Abdas-Samad fourteenth century"

Abyaneh

Being a village of great antiquity, Abyaneh is like a living architectural and anthropological museum. It affords an impressive exponent of the adaptation of man with his environment.

It is located on the north-western slope of Mt Karkas, 2 kms away from Natanz (a town in Isfahan province). It is 2500 meters above sea level. At a place called Hanjan is 55 kms away from Kashan and 25 kms away from Abyaneh.

Abyaneh is mainly watered by the river of Barzrud. Set on the slope of the lofty mountain of Karkas, this village has a cold climate and enjoys numerous springs creating a favorite    condition for agriculture.

Considering the evidence found in Abyaneh, it dates back to antiquity, but its golden age was during the Safavid period. The word Abyaneh has been derived from the word "viona" meaning willow grove. (In the local dialect "vey" means willow.)

The village is expanded along the river, and its configuration indicates that in the past the people showed much consideration for security. Although the village itself is situated on high ground, there are three castles that protected the people when the enemy attacked.

furthermore, the configuration of Abyaneh protects it from strong winds and floods.

Abyaneh has a compact fabrication with narrow and steep alleys. Set on the slope of the mountain, the houses are arranged in a stair-step shape, so that the mountain, the houses are the yards of the others. The materials used for building the roofs are timbers, straw and clay. The materials use for building the roofs are timbers, straw and clay. The walls, built by red mud bricks are impressive. The mud bricks are of quality that become harder when they are exposed to the rain. To use the sun as much as possible, the houses face the east. An impressive aspect of Abyaneh's architectures is that the houses are uniform in appearance. The doors, most of which have two knockers, are wooden and built in traditional styles. There are beautiful patterns, poems and the names of the owner and mason carved on some doors. These poems afford a good picture of the old Iranian culture. Many facades date back to the Safavid period. Beside the door of many houses there are small platforms providing place for passers-by or local residents to rest for a while.

The simplicity found in Abyaneh's houses affords a picture of life in rural Iran. Each room is used for various purposes. For example, a single room may be used as a dining-room, a sitting-room, a bed-room and a guest-room. To economize in the use of fuel, the rooms and used in winter are architecturally different from those used in summer. For providing equal light for all parts of the rooms, there are several small openings in the roofs. The size of the rooms, windows and doors all indicate the simplicity of life in this old village.

Abyaneh is called an entrance to the Iranian history. In some of the houses there is earthenware belonging to a few hundred years ago. The local traditional clothes are in style of great antiquity. It is said a woman of Abyaneh has inherited her wedding dress from her grandmother.

The language (an Iranian language of the Parthian people who were inhabitants of an ancient country to the southeast of the Caspian Sea, now a part of NE Iran).

In addition to natural beauties, there are several historical monuments in Abyaneh, of which the following are of more significance.