Salmiya

The Safavid dynasty was founded by Shah Ismail I (1487-1524) who established Shi’a Islam as state religion in the Persian Empire. Shah Abbas I (1571-1629) is considered the most eminent ruler of the Safavid dynasty. He brought into reality his brilliant visions of architecture in his new capital Esfahan. Although Esfahan has a much longer history, he in fact made it again the most wonderful city in the world. I have described my ever growing fascination of his architectural achievements and other miracles which can still be found in this place in many posts of this blog. Due to successful military campaigns against Uzbeks in Khorasan and in present day Iraq against the Ottomans, the expulsion of the Portuguese from areas around the Persian Gulf, and his diplomatic skills Abbas the Great re-established the Persian Empire after the Arab conquest as one of the major world powers. Personally-wise, he was a cruel emperor. He was obsessed with fear of being assassinated. So, many of his fa...

The old adage and nice pun Esfahan nesf-e jahan , literally “Esfahan is half of the world”, was coined actually in the West. The capital of the Safavid Empire is a city of great splendor. Shah Abbas created in the 17th century particular the Naqsh-e Jahan square with its almost overwhelming architecture. It is expressing function, of course, but even more, pure beauty. The noble Esfahanians know, they are living in one of the world’s finest, most beautiful cities. Three main buildings are ingeniously arranged around the square which is known to be one of the largest on Earth. The Grand Shah Mosque, the Lotfallah Mosque, and Ali Qapoo Palace. Imagining Shah Abbas The Great watching, from the balustrade of Ali Qapoo, his polo playing horsemen in the center of the square is just fun. Nowadays, the huge lawn with its fountains and flowerbeds is used by relaxing Esfahanians for picnic, watching people, and enjoyment of life. Horse-cart carriages provide tourists with memorable rides around ...