Naqsh-e Jahan Square

This is the main square of Esfahan, dating to the 17th century. It is said to be the 2nd largest public square in the world with Tiananmen Square in Beijing being larger.
The 1st 2 pictures are of the square, one from ground level along its main axis and the other from above and to the side, looking in the same direction. In the 1st picture you with see 2 short stone columns. The denote a goal for when polo was played here.
The next 2 pictures are in the Imam Mosque at one end of the square.
The next 4 pictures are in the Sheikh Loftollah Mosque. This was the private mosque for the ladies of the royal court only. The pictures are of the ceiling of the gateway, the entry hallway, the sanctuary and the ceiling of the sanctuary. In the center of the sanctuary ceiling is a peacock, and the light extending from the center is the peacock's tail.
Directly opposite the Ladies' Mosque is the Ali Qapu palace. This was the royal residence. The next 3 pictures are various locations in the palace. The elevated picture of the square was taken from the balcony of the palace where the Shah and guests would watch parades, polo, fireworks, etc.
The square is surrounded by buildings. This is a (mostly) touristy bazaar of hundreds of shops. The 12th picture is typical of the bazaar.
The last picture is a saffron shop just off the square for a presentation about growth, grading and uses of the world's most expensive spice. Iran is the major producer of saffron on the world.Baca lagi