The history This spectacular mosque is located on the southern side of the large Naqsh-e Jaham square in Isfahan, Iran, and was commissioned in the Safavid era by Abbas the Great, who ordered the start of works in 1611. The Shah by that time was already 52 years old; to allow him to see his work completed, the technique of pre-painted tiles then assembled according to the pre-established models was introduced for the first time in Iran. The traditional techniques available were complex mosaics made with millions of individual tiles, or by directly painting the decorations on the walls, which took a very long time. This choice was decisive and allowed the completion of the structure already in 1629, 18 years after the beginning of the works. The builders of the Imam mosque had been chosen among the best architects, engineers, designers and artists of the Safavid era. Until 1979 the Imam mosque was called Shah’s Mosque (or Royal Mosque); after the Islamic revolution it became the Imam’s Mosque but you can call it either way. It is a masterpiece of Persian and Islamic architecture that has witnessed some historical events and has a kind of royal harmony. Together with the monumental Naqsh-e Jaham square on which it overlooks, it has been registered by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site. The architecture The asymmetrical plan of the mosque is due to a double alignment: the facade is oriented towards the square in the opposite direction to the entrance door of the Grand Bazaar of Isfahan, while the mosque is instead facing towards the Mecca. Perhaps the most fascinating aspect of the mosque are the splendid mosaic decorations with tiles of seven different colours. One could spend days walking through the courtyards and in the buildings of the complex, simply following the geometric or floral patterns found on the walls, but remembering once in a while to look up as well, as some of the more elaborate mosaics decorate the domes. The portal of the building, decorated with mosaics depicting geometric, floral and calligraphic motifs, is 30 meters high and is flanked by two 42-metre minarets. All the walls of the building are decorated with mosaic tiles of seven colours which allow a remarkable optical effect. In the internal courtyard the arcades have refined blue and yellow mosaics, and in the center there is a tub for ablutions. The southern side leads to the main sanctuary with a large dome. In this space the echo effect reproduced by the structure is famous. According to scientists, there are 49 echo tones produced, even though the human ear perceives only 12. Ultimately the Imam mosque, with its magnificent minarets and its various architectural marvels, is undoubtedly among the unrivalled masterpieces of Isfahan. A mosque which in its time was among the marvels of the age, and indeed, for the beauty of its design, the grandeur, the solemn dimensions and the magnificence of its majolica, is the shining star of the art of the Safavid period. Photo Gallery by Thomas Gennaro 2022

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The Grand Bazaar (in Persian language Bazar Bozorg, بازار بزرگ) is is one of Iran’s most historic and marvellous bazaars market and it is located in Isfahan, Iran. It is also known as the Qeysarriyeh Bazaar or Soltani bazaar. The bazaar is one of the oldest and largest bazaars in the Middle East and is the longest roofed market in the world. The main commercial activities in the Grand Bazaar are carpet and kilim – a word of Turkish origin, denotes a rug of many uses produced by one of several flat-weaving techniques that have a common or closely related heritage and are practiced in the geographical area-selling.  History The Grand Bazaar was one of the greatest and luxurious trading center in the Safavid era, and it connects the Naqsh-e Jahan Square, the most highlight isfahan tourist attraction registered as UNESCO World Heritage Site, to the Kohneh Square and Seljukid part of Isfahan. In the Middle-East, bazaars were typically situated in close proximity to the mosque and the Isfahan bazaar is no exception. It was originally constructed during the 11th century, in 1620 on the northern side of Nasqh-e-Jahan Square, though various arcades and rooms were later added to it. In the past, this bazaar was the centre of the city and it was also a meeting point for the locals. The site has been destroyed several times and the contemporary bazaar dates to the 17th century, when it was used as one the greatest and luxurious trading center. It was rebuilt as one of the ambitious expansion plans. The bazaar is a vaulted two-kilometre street linking the old city with the new. Experience the bazaar Before entering the Grand Bazaar visitors can see views of the square, which is one of the biggest squares in the entire world. This bazaar has almost 5 kilometres of shopping streets with many arches and corridors. All around the square are shops full of Persian handicrafts. It is a a maze of of madresahs, caravanserais, lanes and centres of trade such as handicraft and carpet vendors.  You can easily spend half of a day by visiting the Grand Bazaar and enjoy experiencing the lanes, smell the spices and dried dates, having some tea and, if you find the time, a local restaurant for lunch. Isfahan bazaar offers a peaceful space to see the shops and the displays inside. The Grand Bazaar, one of the most seen sights in Isfahan, is located in downtown old Isfahan. Photo Gallery by Thomas Gennaro 2022

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