Get ready to visit half of the world; Isfahan was once the capital of Persia and one of the largest cities in the world. Even today, the city retains much of its past glory. This hub of creativity was rightly granted the title
“Half-of-the-World” due to its flourishing commerce and a great variety of astonishing arts ranging from poetry and handicrafts to unique architectural styles. We begin our journey through Isfahan by visiting Chehel-Sotun Palace. This architectural masterpiece is a pavilion in the midst of a park at the far end of a long pool which is a typical design of all Persian Gardens. The palace has been constructed for the King’s entertainment and receptions during Safavid-era. Chehel Sotun Palace literally means “Forty Columns” which was inspiredby the twenty slender wooden columns supporting the entrance pavilion, which, when reflected in the water of the fountain, are said to appear to be forty. The most startling feature of the pavilion is the brilliant interior design and paintings which includes fabulous roofs, old tile-covered floors, and painted walls featuring scenes of battles and celebrations hold by the king. Chehel-Sotun Palace is not just an old building; it tells us about history and each and every crack on the walls or the floors holds a story of the past. We will continue our tour to Meidane Emam (Naghsh-eJahan) (WHS) Square which is an oblong-shaped square built in Safavidera. The square with its lively atmosphere has always been a perennial tourist attraction; it is bordered on all sides by aesthetically remarkable monumental buildings linked by a series of two-storied arcades of shops. The monuments surrounding the square are named Shah Mosque, The Pavilion of Ali-Qapu next we visit Imam Mosque (Panoramic view), situated on the south side of the Shah square. The mosque was built during Safavidperiodby the order of the firstShah Abbas of Persia.The undeniable beauty and Sophistication indesign ofthe mosque do mirror ages and years of experience in constructing mosques by Iranians. All parts of the mosque have been woven together in great harmony to present a seamless, matchless whole. Religious concepts along with traditional symbols are all fully tangible in the design of the structure. Thedome of the mosque standing on top withtall Minarets soaring into the sky, seemto invite every passerby in to worship and pray the Lord. Sheikh Lotfollah Mosque (Panoramic view), standing on the eastern side of Naghsh-e-Jahan Square, is considered as one of the marvels of Persianarchitecture. Everyelementof thebuilding is atrue embodiment of elegance; it enchants every viewer by its dome changing color from dawn todusk. There isanunderground corridor offering apassage from the building to Ali-Qapu palace which is going to be the next piece ofhistory to visit.The Pavilion of Ali-Qapu (Panoramic view), is a grand palace located on the western side of the Naghsh-e-Jahan Square, opposite ofSheikhLotfollah Mosque. The building was namedAli-Qapu which means “great gate” in as much as it was right at the entrance to the Safavid palaces which stretched from the Naghsh-e-Jahan Square to the Chahar Bagh Boulevard. The structures were a symbol of the government’s power andwasoriginally usedas a place tohold important political negotiations. Ali-Qapuis rich innaturalistic wall paintings; they abound with floral, animal and bird motifs. The building is also embellished withmirrors, arcs and magnificent colorful tiles, inthe next we will have a free time for visiting Grand Bazaar, after that we will move to Isfahan Jame Mosque. O/N Isfahan