Naqsh-e- Jahan Square

Naqsh-e- Jahan Square

 

Naqsh-e-Jahan Square (Complex) is the most charismatic tourist spot in Isfahan that has always been very appealing to passionate National and International tourists. This amazing square is historically of valuable importance. It is located in the very heart of Isfahan in a long rectangular shape of more than 500 meters in length and 100 meters in width. It has been inscribed in the National list of historical spots and also registered in Unesco as a universal heritage. Like a chain, it links four historical, artistic spots together. Sheikh Lotfollah Mosque, Shah Mosque, Caesarea Entrance Arch (Qeysarie Gate), Caesarea Market (Qeysarie Bazaar), and Aliqapu Palace. In addition to these elegant areas, there are two hundred chambers around the square which are for selling the handmade artifacts of Isfahan’s artists. 

 

Historically speaking, for the first time, it was during the period of King Abbass from the Safavid dynasty that he ordered the construction of a garden named Naqsh-e- Jahan belonging to the Salajiqa government. Around the four corners of the square, there are four major architectural elements, Shah Mosque in the south, Lotfol’lah Mosque in the east, Aliqapu Palace in the west, and Caesarea Entrance Arch in the north. This square has had several functions in its lifetime. Most importantly, it played a political role in maintaining the royal palace, like the military functions such as royal parades, recreational ceremonies, and public punishment of the convicts. It also played particular religious functions, like congregation prayers and religious rituals. Moreover, it also functioned as a business center as it included several shops and open markets. Last, but not least, it was a very appropriate place for sports activities, like fire plays, games of polo, running, and many other sports and entertainments like narrative storytelling, roleplaying, national ceremonies, or puppet shows. 

 

The king mosque (Shah Mosque), which is one of the important places in the Naqsh-e-Jahan Square Complex, is one of the greatest works of Islamic artistic architecture. It is a masterpiece of art in the early 18th century. It has been registered as one of the important national artworks of Iran. King Abbass, the first from the Safavid dynasty, ordered to build off the south wing of the square during the fourth year of his kingdom. The first part that was completed was the entrance door which was made of tile art. Other parts of the mosque were built during the next years by other Safavid kings. 

 

Aliqapu Palace, which is a unique masterpiece of art during the Safavid kingdom, was built in the early days when the capital of Iran was moved from Qazvin to Isfahan. This palace has six levels with specific decorations. Aliqapou Palace is the entrance section of other palaces of the complex. The name means the “grand door.”Its height is 36 meters which is one of the tallest buildings till present decades in Isfahan. Since different constructions of the palace were built during different times, their decorations look variously diverse. Looking from the front side, it sounds like a 2-level building. From behind the building, it appears to be a 5-level construction, and from each side, it seems to be a 3-level building. 

 

 

On the north side of the square, exactly in front of Shah mosque, there is a splendid arch with magnificent tile works and pale Safavid-style paintings which is famously called Caesarea Entrance Arch (Qeysarie Gate). This arch is considered to be the main entrance of Qeisarrieh market. The grand view of Naqsh-e-Jahan Square is only possible from Caesarea Entrance Arch. During the Safavid era, it connects the old square to the new city. In the historical reference book of the antique buildings of Isfahan, it has been mentioned this way: “Behind the king bazaar, there is an arch built early seventeenth century as an equivalent of Roman Caesarea.

 

In the very middle part, there is a vast round area with a beautiful dome leading to an inn with two levels and 150 chambers, and a business center on its east side of it. Like other markets, a variety of beautiful textiles and print fabrics are being sold. The famous French tourist, Sharden, has also stated a beautiful statement about this Caesarea arch. “As the great astronomers carefully determine the fortunes of different cities, they had considered Isfahan at the top of the arch curve. Thus, this is the reason why the sign of this constellation is on the palace entrance and the king’s market. However, the easterners, unlike us, consider that as half tiger, half human. A tiger that has a tale like a huge serpent that is being shot by the half-human side of the arch constellation”.

 

Sheikh Lotfollah Mosque is located on the eastern side of the square, exactly in front of Aliqapou Palace, constructed by King Abbass of the Safavid dynasty. It is one of the most alluring mosques belonging to the Safavid period. Its first function was to provide a place for the religious ceremonies of the royal family and their elite relatives. Afterward, respecting the greatest religious poles of the dynasty, Sheikh Lotfollah, it was named that and was specifically bestowed to him for congregation prayers with his leadership.

 

A variety of painted vaults has been used in its decoration together with the unique tiles. Inside the altar, there are two tablets together with the surrounding tablets with the handwriting of Alireza Abbassi and another artist named Baqir. They are the sayings of great religious prophets and some beautiful poems by Sheikh Bahai, the great poet, and mystic of the Safavid era. The architect of this grand mosque was Master Mohammad Isfahani, with his name inscribed on the tablet of the altar. Its tile art has covered from the very floor to the top parts of the tall walls. Its unique dome with azure and sky-blue tiles is amazingly alluring both inside and outside. Foreign archeologists believe that: it is so hard to believe that this artistic work has been made by hand”. 

 

Traditional colorful carriages roaming around Naqsh-e-Jahan Square have unbelievably added to the unique beauty of the complex. Tourists would surely experience unbelievable moments in this particular spot. Enjoy the masterpiece of Safavid art and culture.