Naqshe Jahan Square
Most important tourism attraction, most magnifecent sight that situated at the center of Esfahan City is Emam Square, also known as Naqshe Jahan Square. This square in persian means “The design of the world”. It is an important historical site and one of UNESCO's World Heritage Sites. This square is the first place to see while visiting Isfahan and it is full of tourists all over the year.
History
In 1598, when Shah Abbas decided to move the capital of his empire from the north-western city of Qazvin to the central city of Esfahan, he initiated what would become one of the greatest programmers in Persian history; the complete remaking of the city. By choosing the central city of Esfahan, fertilized by the Zayande roud ("The life-giving river"), lying as an oasis of intense cultivation in the midst of a vast area of arid landscape, he distanced his capital from any future assaults by the Ottomans, the arch rival of the Safavids, and the Uzbeks, and at the same time gained more control over the Persian Gulf, which had recently become an important trading route for the Dutch and British East India Companies. This royal square was designed by the polymath Sheikh Baha’i (1547- 1621) upon the order of the founder of the Safavid Era, Shah Abbas I (1571-1629).
It is noteworthy that, during the Safavid Dynasty, the centern of commerce was Naqshe Jahan Square where merchants traded their goods by renting the stores for which they paid rent to the government. The royal square could also have been used for ceremonies and festivals such as the nowruz or some special of its time. The surface of this square is much larger than the former Kushk Square from the beginning of the reign of Shah Abbas I and many times the ceremonies of lightning and fireworks have been set up. The king residing in the Ali Qapu Palace, from the top was entertained by the ceremonies probably by Polo matches hold at the square.
Description
The square is surrounded by other ancient buildings from Safavid period. On the western side of the square, you can see Ali-Qapu building with beautiful wooden pillars. I bet you’ll have one of your most pleasant experiences by standing on its wide balcony and watch all the beauty of the square under your feet. Right across Ali-Qapu Palace, there’s an eye catching mosque which is called Sheikh Lotf Allah Mosque. It is situated on the eastern side of this square and at the northern side Qeisarieh gate opens into the Esfahan Grand Bazaar. The last one is Shah Mosque is situated on the south side of this square. Today, Namaaz-e Jom'eh (the Muslim Friday prayer) is held in the Shah Mosque.
Architecture of Naqshe Jahan Square
It is a masterpiece of Islamic and Iranian architecture, which sits at the heart of Esfahan city in an area of 89,600 square meters. The length of this great square, which is actually rectangular, is 500 meters from north to south, and its width about 150 meters from east to west. It was laid out and beautified in the reign of Shah Abbas the Great, at the beginning of the seventeenth century. Despite its simple architecture, the finest materials were used in the construction of the mosque and prominent artists like calligrapher Ali Reza Abbasi were commissioned to create its complex interior and exterior decorations. This mosque has a famous underdome which has inspired the creation of beautiful Persian carpets and Iranian squares.
Opening hours
The opening hours of this square are 24 hours of every day, but i recommend to visit it only before the sunset. You can take the most beautiful pictures of the domes of the mosques in the warm evening sunlight.