Isfahan - Half Of The World
Posted On Sunday, September 18, 2011 at at 2:30 AM by Alvin
After three hours' bus from Kashan through mainly rocky mountains scenery, we were immediately energised by the sights of the beautiful boulevards, mosques, covered bridges and grand squares of this elegant city at the heart of Iran - Isfahan (Esfahan). We stayed on the Avenue Chahar Bagh Abbassi which was thronged with shoppers, mosques, kebab stands, perfumeries and was 5 minutes' walk from the River Zayandeh with the famous Si-o-Seh Pol (33 Arches Bridge) and the romantic Khaju Bridge.
We spent time exploring the Vank Cathedral (Armenian origin), Jamel Mosque and the Naghsh-e Jahan Square - the second biggest city square in the world (after Beijing's Tiananmen) and an eye-feasting array of Iranian and Islamic architecture which included the Imam Mosque and Ali Qapu Palace; we strolled along the "dry" River Zayandeh during sunset and came across local families relaxing by the river banks; and we took a bus out to Miner Jambon and watched the "shaking" of the Shaking Minarets as well as climbing the Ateshkadeh (Zoroastrian Fire Temple 拜火教 - more of these temples later in the desert town of Yazd) for a superb view of this majestic and glorious city. We truly had a wonderful time here in this friendly place. The numerous memorable monuments in the city led to the famous Persian proverb : Isfahan is Half Of The World !
