When I arrived into Esfahan, I found myself with a little bit less time that I would’ve liked. Work was piling up and I literally had around 500 unread emails, which is borderline insanity inducing for a person who thinks that 20 unread emails is getting out of control! I couldn’t put my work to the side any longer, which meant that I was only really left with one day to explore Esfahan.
However, it turns out that you can still see quite a lot of incredible stuff with only one day!
These are the four places I chose to explore, all of which I’d highly recommend to anyone visiting Esfahan in the future.
Naqsh-e Jahan Square
Naqsh-e Jahan Square (also written as Naqshe Jahan) is one of the most well known public squares in Iran. Constructed between 1598 and 1629, it is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and even features on the 20,000 rials bank note!
This square is green, bright and surrounded by incredible examples of Iranian architecture (which we will get to a bit later) – making it the perfect place to escape from the hectic Esfahan streets, plonk your butt on a bench and enjoy watching the locals jaunt and cycle past you.
The next five photographs are my favourites from my wanderings through the square.
Imam Mosque
The Imam Mosque sits at the Southern side of Naqsh-e Jahan Square and has done so since the year 1629. Also known as Shah Mosque (pre Iranian Revolution) this incredible mosque is considered to be one of the finest architectural masterpieces in all of Iran.
I arrived to the mosque mid-morning, and as I had started to run a little low on moolah, spent a little while hanging out in front of the entrance debating whether or not I was happy to hand over the 100,000 rials ($4 AUD) for the entrance ticket.
Whilst I was humming and hawing, a group of smiley young school kids walked past me up to the entrance, and it made for some pretty happy shots!
This man was also hanging out in front, and was more than happy to have his picture taken! He then encouraged me to go inside, and I ended up being so happy that I took his advice.
I walked in to be greeted with this view!
Already worth the $4 and I had barely even started exploring!
How incredible is this dome? It was a whole lot bigger than it looks too, hence why my 12-40mm lens couldn’t fit the entire thing in the one shot!
Before I visited Iran, I must admit, I didn’t really find many architectural details that exciting, I was more of a ‘landscapes’ kinda gal. But honestly, even I had to suppress a squeal when I took this next shot – how bloody perfect does a structure want to be?
After had gotten my fill of Imam Mosque (unfathomable, I know) I exited to find a group of young school kids posing nervously for a photo – so cute!
Sheikh Lotfollah Mosque
If you’ve ever flicked through a travel guide about Iran, then I would bet my left kidney that you have seen pictures of the interior dome of Sheikh Lotfollah Mosque.
Construction of this mosque commenced in 1603 and was completed 16 years later in 1619. It was built by Persian architect Shaykh Bahai and has been referred to as the single most impressive example of Persian architecture.
Now, I don’t necessarily agree with this.
Now, I am not saying that it isn’t an impressive structure! But I saw so many incredible buildings whilst in Iran, I honestly think it would be impossible to name one of them ‘the best’.
However, when looking at the dome, you can see how it would captivate people!
Entrance to the mosque will set you back another 100,000 rials, which does seem a little steep considering that there isn’t much to see at this particular mosque other than the dome itself, but I am still incredibly glad I spent the money to see it.
Vank Cathedral
Vank Cathedral was a bit of a surprise for me! I had come to Iran expecting mosques and shrines, but an Armenian Cathedral? I had not expected that!
Built in 1606, this cathedral was constructed for the hundreds of thousands of Armenian people that found themselves deported during the Ottoman War and who subsequently resettled in Iran.
The cathedral is very much an amalgamation of cultures. It features a dome – something one would expect from an Iranian mosque, but also features numerous architectural features that one would expect to see in a more western church.
Entrance to this cathedral is a rather steep 200,000 rials ($8 AUD) – but if you have seen enough mosques to last you a lifetime and are looking to shake things up a bit, then a trip to Vank Cathedral would be a worthwhile one.
THE LOWDOWN
Getting to Esfahan: Kashan is well connected to Esfahan and Tehran via bus, but is only connected to Yazd via train
Amir Kabir Hostel: A cheap hotel with a few mixed dorms, expect to pay around $15/night
Sheikh Lotfollah Mosque: One of the most famous mosques in Iran, entrance will set you back $4 AUD
Camera: Images captured with an Olympus OM-D E-M1 in conjunction with M.Zuiko 12-40mm f2/8 lens
Remember: Esfahan and Isfahan are the same city, I still haven’t worked out which is the correct spelling!
You have got some good photos here.
I was going to say ‘Vank’ is an Armenian word! Just means monastery?
Oh does it? I had no idea! Thank you for the info 🙂
The Imam mosque is incredible. Your photos are quite good too.
Thank you very much 🙂
Esfahan nesfe jahan! Beautiful Iran, beautiful photos. Thank you so much for sharing <3
It is my pleasure 🙂 Thank you for reading!
Esfahan nesfe jahan! Beautiful Iran, beautiful photos. Thanks for sharing <3
A pity you didn’t have longer but you definitely made the most of your day! Love the architecture.
I’ll be back to Iran one day, so I will get to explore much more of it one day!
This mosques are gorgeous! I’m glad you had some time to check them out!
Me too! One day wasn’t enough, but it was better than nothing for sure!
Looks incredible! Great photos!
Thanks so much!
The colours of the mosque are incredible! Great snaps, thanks for uploading them!
My pleasure! Thank you for reading and commenting 🙂
The colours of the mosque are fantastic! Thanks for uploading these great pictures.
Such beauty! Thanks a lot for sharing! <3 😀
Thank you for reading! <3
Always! 😀 I actually wait for your posts now. ):)
Wow, these shots are incredible!! The architecture is awe-inspiring.
Thank you so much Tiese! Persian architecture truly is something else!
The colours are AMAZING.
Aren’t they just?! Persian architects do not do things by halves that’s for sure!
So beautiful pictures!!
Such beautiful photos, thanks for sharing.
My pleasure Terry 🙂
You have internet access in Iran to do your e-mails? I agree twenty is too much…although if I were going away I’d have to turn off all the twitter/facebook comments which are supposed to be e-mailed to me.
Whilst a lot of those Mosques are amazing I’m so glad you spent the extra and went to Vank Cathedral. Your pictures are so good that that I was able to zoom in and look at some of those amazing murals/frescos. They look amazing for their age and at the bottom Jesus seems to have just slapped someone.
And their vison of heaven in the sky, bottom right, looks right peculiar…and is that a flamingo looking on?
Yep! The wi-fi is as slow as can be, but it is there! And most email servers aren’t blocked – but blocked websites can be quite easily bypassed with a VPN.
You know, I am not sure, possibly!
Great photos! Have you made it to Uzbekistan yet? Armenian churches uually have a central circular tower, but with a “dunces cap” rather than a dome, but a dome is not so out of place.
I have not, but Central Asia is very high on my travel bucket list – so hopefully soon!
Stunning photos, Ellen! Esfahan goes into my list too. xx
As always – thank you! It is back on my list too haha, I didn’t see enough of it on this trip!
So difficult to see everything at one go, isn’t it? Funny but travel manages to always leave me hungry for more.
So beautiful. Do you know if the lovely vivid blue is from lapis lazuli?
I must admit, I do not! I shall have to do some research.
Great pictures! I went to Iran, but wasn’t there very long.
Where in Iran did you visit?
Incredible photos, Ellen! The mosques look so beautiful. Your blog posts make me want to visit Iran a lot more than I did before. And the cathedral is truly interesting with the blend of Iranian architecture into it.. Those girl kids are super cute and their colorful clothes put me in a positive mood!
Thanks so much Pooja! I am so glad I have made you want to visit Iran 🙂
Bahai means “follower of the light”, so the name of the architect is an apt one. The colours of Iran’s clothing and buildings are certainly second to none.
Thank you for sharing the day with us. I can only imagine how chaotic and taxing (monetarily as well as physically) nearly continuous travel to each country around the world must be.
However, The photo of you staring up at the ornate ceiling tells me that its all worth it. (great addition to my humble little pinterest boards btw)
Holy moly, what an incredible place. Well done on capturing it so well! You certainly spent your one day well.
Gorgeous photos!
These are the finest photos of Esfahan I have seen. Wish you’d be so kind as to share more, perhaps some shots of the Ali Qapu Gate Palace and Chehel Sotoon Palace. Blessings on your journey x