In 2006

Isfahan Isfahan ( fa, اصفهان, Esfahân ), from its Achaemenid empire, ancient designation ''Aspadana'' and, later, ''Spahan'' in Sassanian Empire, middle Persian, rendered in English as ''Ispahan'', is a major city in the Greater Isfahan Regio ...

was named Cultural Capital of the

Islamic world The terms Muslim world and Islamic world commonly refer to the Islamic community, which is also known as the Ummah. This consists of all those who adhere to the religious beliefs and laws of Islam or to societies in which Islam is practiced. In ...

, by the

Organization of the Islamic Conference An organization or organisation (Commonwealth English; see spelling differences), is an entity—such as a company, an institution, or an association—comprising one or more people and having a particular purpose. The word is derived from ...

. Isfahan is the home of several

UNESCO The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization is a specialized agency of the United Nations (UN) aimed at promoting world peace and security through international cooperation in education, arts, sciences and culture. It ...

World Cultural Heritage Site A World Heritage Site is a landmark or area with legal protection by an international convention administered by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). World Heritage Sites are designated by UNESCO for h ...

s. The

Naqsh-e Jahan Square Naqsh-e Jahan Square ( fa, میدان نقش جهان ''Maidān-e Naghsh-e Jahān''; trans: "Image of the World Square"), also known as the Shah Square (میدان شاه) prior to 1979, is a square situated at the center of Isfahan (city), Isfah ...

(Shah Square) was built in the early 16th century when Isfahan was the capital of the

Safavid Safavid Iran or Safavid Persia (), also referred to as the Safavid Empire, '. was one of the greatest Iranian empires after the 7th-century Muslim conquest of Persia, which was ruled from 1501 to 1736 by the Safavid dynasty. It is often conside ...

empire, and it was one of the first sites in Iran to be inscribed on the World Heritage list, in 1979, and the

Jameh Mosque of Isfahan The Jāmeh Mosque of Isfahān or Jāme' Mosque of Isfahān ( fa, مسجد جامع اصفهان ''Masjid-e-Jāmeh Isfahān''), also known as the Atiq Mosque () and the Friday Mosque of Isfahān (), is a historic congregational mosque (''Jāmeh'' ...

was designated a World Cultural Heritage site in 2012. In addition, the Chehel Sotoun Palace in Isfahan is one of the nine sites around Iran that is part of the World Cultural Heritage site

Persian gardens The tradition and style of garden design represented by Persian gardens or Iranian gardens ( fa, باغ ایرانی), an example of the paradise garden, has influenced the design of gardens from Andalusia to India and beyond. The gardens of the A ...

, inscribed on the list in 2011. The University of Isfahan Entertainment Industry Innovation Center offers education in computer game design and development.

Municipality of Isfahan The Municipality of Isfahan is responsible for the management of the city of Isfahan. The highest-ranking official of this organization is the mayor of Isfahan, who is chosen by the Islamic City Council of Isfahan. The city of Isfahan has 15 adminis ...

Social, Cultural and Sports Organization (established in 1997) is one of the affiliated organizations of Isfahan Municipality. There are more than 100 cultural and sports centers in the city. Isfahan joined the UNESCO Creative Cities Network in 2015.

Gallery

File:Исфахан.jpg, Isfahan File:Kakh-e-hasht behesht esfahan.jpg,

Hasht Behesht Hasht Behesht (, ), literally meaning "the Eight Heavens" in Persian, is a 17th-century pavilion in Isfahan, Iran. It was built by order of Suleiman I, the eighth shah of Iran's Safavid Empire, and functioned mainly as a private pavilion. It is ...

File:Isfahan 1210373 nevit.jpg, Horse shah abas square File:General map of Isfahan by Pascal Coste.jpg, map by Coste

References

External links

Municipality culture & sports organizationDepartment of Cultural heritage of Isfahan ProvinceWorld heritage sites of Isfahanministry of islamic culture & guidance
*http://park.isfahan.ir/parklocations *http://park.isfahan.ir/madiha {{Palaces in Iran Cities in Iran Isfahan Former capitals of Iran Iranian provincial capitals Isfahan County

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See also

Further reading

References

External links