Refine your search

The results of your search are listed below alongside the search terms you entered on the previous page. You can refine your search by amending any of the parameters in the form and resubmitting it.

Select all Deselect all Add selection to lightbox
Large Small
Thumbnails per page
Isfahan was a medieval waystation on the Silk Road until the 16th century when Shah Abbas the Great (1587–1629) conquered it and made it the new capital of the Safavid dynasty under a unified Persia. He built parks, libraries, baths and mosques, and Isfahan became one of the largest cities in the world. In 1722, following the defeat of the Safavids in the Battle of Gulnabad, Afghans raided Isfahan after a long siege, which left much of the city in ruins. Nowadays, it is the second city of Iran, and produces fine carpets, textiles, steel and handicrafts. The city’s Naghsh-e Jahan Square was designated as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO, and is regarded and an outstanding example of Iranian and Islamic architecture.