Postcards from Isfaham catalogue

Isfahan is a major city in central Iran and forms the administrative heart of both the province and the district of the same name. The city is located approximately 440 kilometers south of Tehran and has a population of about 2.2 million. This makes it the third largest city in the country, after Tehran and Mashhad, and it has one of the largest urban areas in Iran.

Isfahan is situated at a strategic crossroads of important trade routes traversing Iran from north to south and from east to west. The city experienced a period of great prosperity, particularly between the 9th and 18th centuries. During the Safavid Empire, Isfahan once again became the capital of the country, under the leadership of Abbas the Great.

The city is known for its impressive Persian-Islamic architecture, featuring wide avenues, covered bridges, palaces, and richly decorated mosques with colorful tiles and slender minarets. Isfahan also houses a large number of historical buildings, works of art, and cultural treasures.

The beauty and wealth of the city have led to the famous Persian saying: “Esfahān nesf-e-jahān ast” — or: “Isfahan is half the world”.

One of the most famous places is Naqsh-e Jahan Square, one of the largest city squares in the world. This square is on the UNESCO World Heritage List and forms the historical and cultural center of the city.