In Pictures: Norooz Tourists Pack Isfahan's Naghsh Jahan Square
Culture and Society Blog, Kodoom.com
The historic city of Isfahan is among the most popular travel destinations in Iran during the Norooz (Persian New Year) spring holiday.
Registered as a UNESCO's World Heritage site, Naqsh-e Jahan (which in Persian means the intaglio or inscription of the Universe) is a central square in Isfahan.
In 1598, Shah Abbas decided to move the capital of the Persian empire from the north-western city of Qazvin to the central city of Isfahan. The square (Maidan in Persian) was where the Shah and the people met.
Constructed between 1598 and 1629, it was referred to as Shah Square before the 1979 revolution and Imam Square after the 1979 revolution. The square is surrounded by buildings from the Safavid era. The Shah Mosque is situated on the south side of this square. On the west side is the Ali Qapu Palace. Sheikh Lotf Allah Mosque is situated on the eastern side of this square and at the northern side Qeysarie Gate opens into the Isfahan Grand Bazaar. Today, Namaaz-e Jom'eh (the Muslim Friday prayer) is held in the Shah Mosque.
The square is depicted on the reverse of the Iranian 20,000 rials banknote
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