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Isfahan
Information
Country	Iran
Area	493,82 km²
Population	1 756 126 hab. (2011)
Density	3 556,21 inhab./km²
Spindle	UTC 03:30
Location
32 ° 38 ′ 41 ″ N 51 ° 40 ′ 3 ″ E
Official site
edit

Isfahan or Isfahan (in Persian: اصفهان) is a city in the center ofIran. Located south of Tehran, it is considered by its inhabitants as one of the most beautiful cities in the world. It is a historic city, the former capital of Persia from 1598 to 1722, it has long been known for its beautiful carpets with silver filigree. Today, the textile industry and steelworks occupy their place. Its architecture, tree-lined boulevards and relaxed rhythm make it one of the highlights of the towns ofIran. The city is the capital of the Isfahan province.

Understand

The city is located 430 km South of Tehran on the foothills of the Zagros mountain range. The city enjoys a temperate climate and regular seasons. Isfahan is located on the main north-south and east-west routes crossing Iran.

To go

By plane

• 32.7508151.861671 Shahid Beheshti International Airport (IATA : IFNICAO: OIFM)  – This airport was a military air base before the revolution. Now there are daily flights to Tehran and Mashhad in Iran. There are also flights to Damascus, Dubai and Kuwait. (last update jul. 2015)

By train

There is a night train to Tehran every day and a train to Mashhad.

By car

Isfahan is well served by road. There are roads to Tehran, Kashan, Shiraz, Yazd and Ahvaz.

By bus

Isfahan is well connected to most parts of the country by bus. there are buses from Tehran and Isfahan to Tehran to Isfahan every 15 min. There is also a luxury bus to "European standard" (very comfortable seats, open mini-bar, etc.)

• Royal Safar Iranian  220 000 IRR (~4,33 € - course of 04/27/2021) (~ 4.78 Fr. - price of 04/27/2021) (~ C $ 6.48 - class on 04/27/2021) (~ $ 5.23 - class on 04/27/2021) (~ 2,837.38 F CFA - price on 04/27/2021). – One of the companies offering luxury bus rides. (last update Feb. 2018)

Circulate

By bus

It is easy to get around by bus in Isfahan. Tickets are sold at the5 000 IRR (~0,1 € - course of 04/27/2021) (~ 0.11 Fr. - price of 04/27/2021) (~ C $ 0.15 - class on 04/27/2021) (~ $ 0.12 - class on 04/27/2021) (~ 64.49 F CFA - price of 04/27/2021)/ trip - you can buy tickets on the bus or at kiosks at bus stops. Note that there are separate sections for men (front) and women (back) of the bus.

See

Squares and streets

• Naqsh-e Jahan Square  – also known as Shah Square or Imam-1602 Square. With two mosques and the bazaar. it is an important historical site, and a UNESCO World Heritage Site . It is surrounded by buildings from the Safavid era. (last update Feb. 2018)
• Meydan Kohne (Kohne Square)  (last update Feb. 2018)
• Shahshahan Square  (last update Feb. 2018)
• Boulevard Chaharbagh  – Square from 1596, dating from the Saffavid era. The avenue is the most famous in the history of Persia. (last update Feb. 2018)
• Boulevard Chaharbagh-e-Khajou  (last update Feb. 2018)

Mosques

The mosques of Isfahan are among the most beautiful and interesting in the world.

• Imam Mosque  – It was called the Shah Mosque before the Iranian revolution. Built during the Safavid period, it is an excellent example of Islamic architecture in Iran, and is considered one of the masterpieces of Persian architecture. It is listed, along with Naghsh-i Jahan Square, in UNESCO as a World Heritage Site . Its splendor is mainly due to the beauty of its mosaics of seven colors and the calligraphic inscriptions. (last update Feb. 2018)
• Sheikh Lotf Allah Mosque  – One of the masterpieces of Iranian architecture from the Safavid period. (last update Feb. 2018)
• Hakim Mosque  – One of the oldest mosques in Isfahan (last update Feb. 2018)
• Jame Mosque  (last update Feb. 2018)

Palace

• Ali Qapu (The Royal Palace)  – start of XVII^e century. It is forty-eight meters high with seven floors, each accessible by a difficult spiral staircase. In the music room on the sixth floor, deep circular niches are found in the walls, having not only aesthetic, but also acoustic value. It is rich in naturalistic murals by Reza Abbassi, the court painter of Shah Abbas I, and his pupils. There are floral, animal and bird designs. (last update jul. 2015)
• Talar ashraf ((Ashraf Palace)  – 1650 (last update jul. 2015)
• Hasht Behesht (The Palace of Eight Heaven)  – 1669. It would seem built for the purpose of residence of the king's harem. (last update jul. 2015)
•  (last update jul. 2015)
• Chehel Sotoun (The Forty Columns Palace)  – 1647: It is called Palace of Forty Columns, because there are a lot of columns, and in Iran, 40 means a lot. Incidentally, there are twenty columns, and these are reflected in the pool opposite, which might also explain its name. This palace was used for religious ceremonies and royal feasts and to receive royal ambassadors and distinguished guests. (last update jul. 2015)

Schools

• Madreseye Shah (Imam Jafar Sadegh after the revolution)  – The compound was built during Soltan Hossein, a Safavid king, to serve as a school of theology and as an office to train those interested in such sciences.The dome and the greater part of the walls are covered with shiny yellow bricks which give a feeling of lightness. The front door adorned with gold and silver facade, and the tile works inside the building are masterpieces of art and industry. The central courtyard, with its swimming pool and the garden, are surrounded by arches on two levels, each giving access to a student room. (last update jul. 2015)
• Madreseye Khajoo  (last update jul. 2015)

Caravanserais

• Shah Carvanserai  (last update jul. 2015)

Bridges

• By Pol-e Shahrestan (The Shahrestan Bridge)  – It is one of the oldest surviving bridges in Iran. (last update jul. 2015)
• By Pol-e Khaju (Khaju bridge)  – 1650. It is the most beautiful bridge in the province of Esfahan. It was built by the Safavid Persian king, Shah Abbas II around 1650. This structure was originally adorned with artistic works of tiles and paintings serving as a tea room (last update jul. 2015)
• Si-o-Seh Pol (The 33-arch bridge)  – 1602. It is classified as one of the most famous examples of Safavid bridge design. (last update jul. 2015)
• By Pol-e-Joui  – It is one of the oldest bridges in Isfahan and was built in 1665, during the Safavid era. (last update jul. 2015)
• By Pol-e-Maarnaan (Maarnaan Bridge)  (last update jul. 2015)

Churches and Cathedrals

• Armenian Cathedral Vank (The Church of the Holy Sisters)  – XVII^e century. The interior is covered with beautiful paintings and gilded carvings and includes richly inlaid woodwork. The central dome delicately painted in blue and gold represents the biblical story of the creation of the world and the expulsion of man from paradise. (last update jul. 2015)
• Kelisaye maryam  (last update jul. 2015)

Gardens

Other

• Atashgah  – A Zoroastrian fire temple. This temple is spectacular perched high on a rock on the outskirts of Isfahan and provides stunning views of the city (although the city is often covered in smog). You can take one of the blue buses (ask the drivers), which will take you there. (last update Feb. 2018)
• Buqe'h-ye Ibn-Sina  – Dome of Avicenna XII^e century. (last update Feb. 2018)
• Tombs of Nizam al-Mulk and Malek Shah  – XII^e century and XVIII^e centuries. (last update Feb. 2018)
• Jolfa  – The Armenian Quarter. (last update Feb. 2018)
• Sheikh Bahai Baths  (last update Feb. 2018)
• Dovecotes  – XVII^e century. (last update March 2016)
• Ali Agha Gholi thermal baths  (last update Feb. 2018)

Make

• Take a walk in one of the beautiful, well-tended gardens or take a look at the Isfahan Bazaar.
• Take a walk along the Zayandehrood river next to the old bridges, many locals do this every day.
• Take a taxi south out of town to Soffeh Mountain and take the gondola for IR 60,000 or go bowling. The only bowling alley in the city is located under the cable car station.

Learn

• Shahid Ashrafi Esfahani University Foreign student coordinator Blv. Ghaem, Sepahan Shahr, Isfahan. Po Box: 81798-49999,   98 3136502820, 98 9131152408, email: [email protected] – Foreign students can learn the Persian as part of tailor-made courses to meet their needs. (last update Feb. 2018)

To work

There is a university of technology known as IUT and there are a lot of cities of technology like Sheikh Bahaee, Jay, Amir Kabir, Oshtorjaan and many others who are all active in the industry. Qualified people would like work in these cities or Foolad mobarakeh or to melt iron companies, both active in the steel industry.

Buy

• Esfahan rugs are world famous, being even the most beautiful of Persian rugs. They are also often extremely expensive. Carpets from the neighboring town of Dwarf are similar in style, also well known, and are expensive too. For those who are interested, it is possible to purchase the very decorative and brilliantly traditional colored dress from Isfahan, but these clothes can be expensive, so it is better to haggle for a reasonable price.

• For a real treasure, a shop in the famous bazaar.

• Miniatures These exquisite miniature paintings are painted on the camel bone. Most of them are sold framed, and prices start from IR15,000 upwards. It can be more expensive if the illustration is done by a miniature master. Walk around and look in various stores, before making your decision.

Eat

As with most of Iran, the national standard dish 'Chelo kebab' is a must. Try the regional variations of this dish at the many restaurants in Isfahan. The food is generally of high quality. In some parks in Esfahan, you can just get a mat and tea from the park warden, and a picnic on the grass! You'll find families congregate in these parks, and bring barbecues and cook freshly made kebabs, which smell (and taste) delicious.

Another favorite meal is the beryani one that you can eat for lunch. This is a special Isfahan meal. He made with mutton and lung meat. Although Iranians love this meal, it is very fatty. Therfore some Westerners may not like Beryani.

If you are lucky, try Fereni (a preparation of flour, water and milk) at Fereni Hafez, which is along Hafez Street, near Imam Square. It costs IR3000 for a small bowl or IR5000 for a larger one.

Have a drink / Go out

Visit one of the teahouses in the bazaar or under one of the bridges.

• 32.65790151.6785631 Cafe Spadana  – Excellent little cafe, in a cool and pleasant little square, a stone's throw from Naqsh-e Jahan Square. (last update August 2016)

Housing

Budget

• TheAmir Kabir Hotel is a favorite among hikers. Dorm beds are single IR80,000, sleeping in carpet room (on the floor) is IR60,000. Breakfast is IR25,000. There is the next internet door (IR10,000 / hour) as well as a laundry service (IR25,000 / kg). The rooms are clean and the toilets are shared (showers with hot water included). Address: Charbagh er Ispahan .. Tel. 98 311 2227273, fax: 98 311 2210255 (e-mail: [email protected]).

Average price

• Dibai House 1 Masjed Ali Alley, Harunie,   98 311 2209787, fax : 98 311 2209786, email: [email protected] € 40/60/80 per room / night for single / double / triple rooms. 10% discount for stays longer than a week and for groups of 5 or more. – It is the most atmospheric hotel in Isfahan. Dibai House comprises a fully and scrupulously restored of XVII^e Safavid century historic mansion which nonetheless boasts all modern facilities. Ideally located in the old quarter. No smoking inside. The price includes breakfast, and the Sufi owner is extremely helpful with travel information. (last update Feb. 2018)
• Hasht Appartement Behesht Hotel Ostandari st,   98 311 221 4868 69, email: [email protected] – Amazing value apartments, clean, modern and central. (last update Feb. 2018)
• Bekhradi Residence Historial n ° 56 Sonbolestan Alley, Ebn-e-Sina, Shohada ².,   98 311 4482072-3, fax : 98 311 4882073, email: [email protected] US rooms between $ 60 US 90 $ (~74,55 € - course of 04/27/2021) (~ 82.39 Fr. - price of 04/27/2021) (~ C $ 111.61 - price 04/27/2021) (~ 48,873.18 F CFA - price on 04/27/2021) per person, per night (16% tax / service). – Quiet, traditional khan-e-sonnati (traditional Iranian house). Five beautifully resorted Safavid-style bedrooms, some with en-suite bathrooms set around two garden patios. There is also a restaurant and free internet access in this quiet area north of Imam Square. (last update Feb. 2018)
• Hotel Partikan Naqsh-e Jahan Square,   98 31 3221 4291to be released before 12.  45 $ (~37,27 € - course of 04/27/2021) (~ 41.19 Fr. - price of 04/27/2021) (~ C $ 55.81 - price of 04/27/2021) (~ 24,436.59 F CFA - price on 04/27/2021). – free. Modest and pleasant hotel, a stone's throw from Naqsh-e Jahan Square. Welcoming and English-speaking staff. Restaurant with traditional musical entertainment and underground café with billiards. (last update August 2016)

Luxury

• Abbasi Hotel  – The hotel was built during the time of King Sultan Hossein of the Safavids around 300 years ago. King Soltan Hossein dedicated this magnificent complex to his mother. Therefore, it is called "the school and caravansaray of Madar-shah" (which means the mother of the king). (last update Feb. 2018)
• Kowsar international Hotel  – overlooks the river. (last update Feb. 2018)
• Ali Ghapou Hotel  – one of the best 4 star hotels in Isfahan. (last update Feb. 2018)
• Aseman Hotel  – another 4-star hotel, with a beautiful view of the Zayande Rood river. (last update Feb. 2018)

Communicate

There are a lot of Internet cafes in Isfahan. The best place with the fastest and cheapest connection is the Isfahan Central Library. It is a five minute walk from Naghshe-Jahan Square.

Manage the day-to-day

Visas and permits

There is a former consulate of the Russia behind the bazaar.

Around

• Qom  – A holy city a few hundred kilometers away. (last update Feb. 2018)
• Kashan  (last update Feb. 2018)
• Shiraz  – South of Isfahan. (last update Feb. 2018)
• Varzaneh  (last update Feb. 2018)
• Dasht-e Kavir  – The central desert of Iran is easily accessible in about 4 h Isfahan bus ride. You will find salt lakes, oases ... (last update Feb. 2018)