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Naqsh-e Jahan Square Isfahan

Naqsh-e Jahan is one of the most famous squares in Isfahan, in Farsi it means “The image of the world”. The square is surrounded by structures of different purpose and architecture, and together with the main bazaar of Isfahan they comprise the huge complex to explore. Locally, this square is known as Maidan-e Naqsh-e Jahan, in the past, it was known as Shah Square.

In 1598 Shah decided to move the capital of Persian Empire from Qazvin to Isfahan as a more secure and convenient place. To commemorate the new role of Isfahan and also to create a place to hold national events, Naqsh-e Jahan Square was designed. This square was built between 1598-1623, now it is added to the UNSECO’s World Heritage List. Naqsh-e Jahan Square is 160 metres (520 ft) wide by 560 metres (1,840 ft) long. 

 

I came to Naqsh-e Jahan Square through this arched door located on the Posht Motbakh Street
This was the very first sight I was met with, in the famous square of Isfahan
This photo shows the southern side of the square
Dome of Sheikh Lotfollah Mosque can be seen in the background
Sheikh Lotfollah Mosque

 

With its beautiful dome, Sheikh Lotfollah Mosque (built 1603-1619) is located to the eastern side of the square. The Sheikh Lotfollah Mosque is viewed by historians and visitors as one of the most important architectural projects built on Isfahan’s maydan, prominent for its location, scale, design, and ornamen.

Sheikh Lotfollah Mosque is a royal mosque built in the square
In the past, ladies of the royal palace would pray in this mosque
Rows of shops inside the Grand Bazaar extend on both sides of the mosque
Fountains of the Naqsh-e Jahan Square
Ali Qapu Palace
 

It is situated on the western side of Naqsh-e Jahan Square. Ali Qapu Palace was the first palace built by the Safvaid king Shah Abbas I at the end of the 16th century (1597). In the past, beautiful windows and the doors of the palace were looted and taken away. This palace was almost deserted but many renovation has taken palace here and it has turned this place once again into a master piece of the Safavid architecture.

Ali Qapu Palace is a former royal palace built by the Safavid
Shah Mosque

 

Shah Mosque is situated on the southern side of the square. The construction of the Shah Mosque started in 1611 and it was finished in 1629. Shah Mosque, with an area of about 12 264 Sqm, was a huge structure, containing 18 million bricks, 475 000 tiles, and having cost the Shah 60,000 tomans to build. It employed the new haft rangi (seven-color) style of tile mosaic. 

Here Shah Mosque (Imam Mosque) can be seen at the end of the square
Fountains in the middle of Naqsh-e Jahan Square portray a beautiful picture of the whole square
A blue tiled dome of the Shah Mosque
Main entrance of the Shah Mosque seen from the Ali Qapu Palace
Keisaria Gate
 

The Keisaria Gate is located to the northern side of the square and it is the main entrance of the Grand Bazaar. Some parts of the bazaar date back to Seljuq dynasty, making it over 1,000 years old. Another important element of the bazaar is that it connects old Isfahan with the new one.

Facade of the Keisaria Gate, the Grand Bazaar Isfahan
Colourful paintings are created on the Keisaria Gate
This wall of the gate shows one of the many polo matches played here
View of Naqsh-e Jahan Square from the northern side (in front of the Keisaria Gate)

 

This square has maintained it’s original look and the construction from the past. The only modern additions are the fountains, which were added by the Pahlavis. Not only tourists but also local visit this square on regular basis. It can get very busy in the evening and place turnes into a local meeting point.

A girl sitting in the middle of the square
This square is very popular among the locals and the tourists alike
Tourists enjoying themselves in the middle of the square
This is the startup point of Sepah Street from Naqsh-e Jahan Square
A carriage is moving towards the Shah Mosque
Going around this square in a horse driven carriage is one of the most delightful things to do in the evening
This horse is wearing a cover in order to protect it from the cold
Sheikh Lotfollah Mosque seen through one of the arches in the Grand Bazaar of Isfahan
This is the one of the many doors of the Isfahan Grand Bazaar which spans around Naqsh-e Jahan Square
This photo shows the northern side of the square