The historical Si-o-She Pol bridge is the largest hydraulic structure in Iran. It is 295 m long and 14 m wide. The construction of this bridge dates back to Safavid era. Shah Abbas the first ordered the building of this bridge.
Set on the zayanderood river, this bridge connects the northern part of Chahar Bagh Abbasi street to its southern part. Actually, this was the main role of the bridge in the first place. The reason behind its being the longest bridge is that it was constructed over the widest part of the river.
Si-o-Seh is the number 33 in Farsi/Persian. It was named after its defining feature which is the 33 arches it has over the river. This bridge is also famously known as Chehel Cheshmeh Bridge and Allahverdi Khan Bridge.
Overview
Opening Hours
Daily Hours: 12 AM – 11:59 PM
Location
Enghelab Sq., Chahar Bagh e Abbasi St., Isfahan, Iran
Price
Free
Explore Si-o-Seh Pol Bridge on these Suggested Tours
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Khaju Bridge was built on the order of Shah Abbas the second
in 1650. This bridge is the only decorated bridge with Haft-Rang (polychrome
tiles) tilework in Iran. Khaju Bridge is 137 m long and 12 m wide. The word
Khaju is derived from the word “Khajeh”. “Khajeh” is the
title used for the members of the court who were close to the royal family.
This group of courtiers used to live near this bridge. This resulted in naming
of the Khaju Bridge. Khaju Bridge is also known under the names: Jesre Hasan, Baba
Roknoddin, Gabr-ha
Khaju Bridge Gives You the Impression of a Moving Boat
The top storey of this double decker bridge was used for
caravans to pass over. The covered corridors were used by pedestrians. When
someone looks down on the stone foundations (which are in triangle shape) and
sees the flowing water it gives them the impression of being on a moving boat.
This feature is for the reason of helping the water to pass through the bridge
in case of a flood. The lower storey were only used by pedestrians. In the
middle there are two alcoves called “Shahneshins”. They are located
in the middle of the eastern and western side of the top storey. Each
Shahneshin is a large room overlooking three balconies. The balconies are
adorned with paintings from the Qajar and Safavid era.
Stone Lions with A Face of a Warrior
There are two stone lions on both sides of the bridge, these
statues were brought here from Takht-e Foulad cemetery. They were originally
used as tombstones of warriors who were martyred on battlefield. Inside the
mouth of each stone lion a face of a warrior is carved. There are carved shapes
of gymnastic apparatuses and warfare equipment such as: shield, bow, mace and
sword.
Unequal sluices of Khaju Bridge
The 21 sluices on the
lower part of the bridge are different in size compared to each other. This
intentional design is for the reason of increasing the resistance of the bridge
against water flow. it is worth mentioning that the size difference is in no
way random. Moreover, there are in harmony and rhythm to prevent the damages
that may happen in case of a flood. Also, the sophisticated hydraulics
structure is designed to slow down the water flow.
Arthur Upham Pope
Tomb
Arthur Upham Pope was an American expert on archeology and
Iranian art. He was renowned orientalist of Islamic industries who compiled and
edited six volumes of ‘’ A survey of Persian art’’ with his wife. during his
studies of Iran, Pope made twenty trips that strengthen his love for Iran. He came to Iran with his wife, Phyllis Ackerman,
in 1925 A.D. Pope passed away from a heart attack in Shiraz. He was transferred
to Isfahan according to his will and testament. He was buried near Khaju
Bridge. Eight years later his wife died and was laid next to him there. The
architecture features of the tomb is a combination of the Sassanid and Samanid
dynasties.
Professor Arthur
Upham Pope expressing his passion for Iran
he had stated that ‘’the whole point is to show the Iranian
people that great sprits, artists, poets, creative leaders and scholars are not
of such quality as to evoke the profound admiration of a kindred spirit in
other hands, who affirm their gratitude and devotion with more than words, and
to affirm to visitors from other countries that one is not interred in Iran by
accident of dying there, but with the conviction that it is a privilege for
those who understand and use it as a final resting place, as a witness to their
faith in the land and the great personalities that have through the many
centuries made it what is it and, at the same time, prophesize a more noble
future…l submitted my corpse to Iran’s
land for the sake of love of Iran and yielded my heart to Iranians.’’
There is a madrasa (Islamic seminary) on the corner of the southeast of the Imam Mosque named (Naseriyeh) which was built in the late reign of the first Safavid king (Shah Abbas I) or in the early reign of Shah Safi but with regard to available epigraphs, its tiling and inscriptions go back to the reign of the second Safavid king (Shah Abbas II).
In the southern Iwan (a veranda) of the seminary, There are some epigraphs which one of them is in black Thuluth calligraphy (a kind of Islamic calligraphies) on a yellow background which has been written by the famous calligrapher named Mohammad Reza Imami and its script is Salavat (blessings of God) upon fourteen infallible persons and dated 1077 AH. Around the Mihrab (a place in the mosque that indicates the direction of Mecca) of this veranda, there are some verses of the Holy Quran with the same date and the signature of the above-mentioned calligrapher.
The design of the tiles around the yard of the madrasah has been decorated with blue color and the names: Mohammad (the Prophet of Islam) and Ali (the first Shia leader) which have been written in Bannai Kufic ( a kind of Islamic calligraphy). The term (Infallible figures) is a title chosen by Shiite Muslims to call their grand fourteen personalities including the Prophet Mohammad, Lady Fatimah al-Zahra (Prophet’s daughter) and the twelve divine leaders. In some traditions, the Shia believe fourteen infallible persons to be the very household of the Prophet Mohammad.
There is an epigraph inside the Mihrab written in white Thuluth calligraphy on a tile with a bluish background during the reign of Shah Suleiman Safavi. This epigraph consists of some sayings of the Prophet Mohammad (p.b.u.h.) dated 1905 AH and the autograph of Mohammad Hassan Imami. Since the seminary was repaired during the reign of Naser al-Din Shah Qajar, it is called Naseriyeh. The madrasah Naseriyeh has eight rooms located in the southeast angle of the seminary.
The rooms used to be dormitories or classrooms in winter. It has two verandas located in the northeast and the southwest angle. The embellishments used in the madrasah are tiling, Muqarnas ( a type of decoration composed of series of niches embedded within an architectural frame), carving and inscription.
In different eras, there were some prominent scholars who used to study and teach in this madrasah.
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Note:
1 hour from 1 pm – 2 pm is breaking time. You can see congregational prayer at this time in “Shabestan” of mosque
You can ask Madrasa Naseriyeh to set any type of technical meeting or any other information related to Islam and Iranian religious via:
Shah Abbas I, who moved his capital to Isfahan, ordered a colony of Armenian Christians from the town of Julfa (now on Iran’s northern border), to move to the village ‘New Julfa’ in Isfahan.
Shah Abbas ensured that Armenian religious freedom was respected. Now, Jolfa district Isfahan holds a prosperous community. Armenians are permitted to hold their own religious ceremonies and activities. The symbiont circle between Muslims and Christians has been standing for more than four hundred years.
Jolfa square is located on the southern side of Zayande-e rood river. It is connected to the other side of the river by Marnan Bridge. Actually, one of Armenian’s architects renovated this bridge.
The Armenian built 25 churches, of which 13 survived. Among all the jolfa churches, Bethlehem (1628) and Vank (1655) are open to visitors.
One of the main attraction in Jolfa is the Vank Cathedral. The Jolfa Vank Cathedral is a masterpiece of architecture. Construction of this cathedral started at the time of Shah Abbas the second. Vank Cathedral is known for holding unique collections of beautiful frescos. They depict stories from the holy bible and Tora. They were painted by Armenian artists during safavid era which you can see as soon as you move into the passage and enter the prayer hall read more.
In Bethlehem church, the prayer hall is decorated with paintings depicting stories from old and new Testaments. There is also a high double layer dome with floral gilded patterns.
Nowadays, 5 of Armenian merchants’ houses, from the Safavid-era, have been converted into Art University of Isfahan.
New Julfa Isfahan has not only a laidback atmosphere, but also a unique setting which is full of life and youthful vibes. Take your time exploring it on foot, but don’t forget to sit back and relax. Plus, there are lots of caffes for an evening tea and dinning places for a night out.
Overview
Opening Hours
Daily Hours: 12 AM – 11:59 PM
Location
Jolfa, Isfahan, Iran
Price
Free
Explore Jolfa on these Suggested Tours
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