Headline, July01, 2013

'''ESFAHAN THE BEAUTY 

& - ECSTASY- OF ANCIENT PERSIA'''

Esfahan might be the finest Middle Eastern city you've never heard of  -unless you are an Iranian of course. Its location on the path of both north-south and east-west trading routes made it one of the world's largest cities between 11th and 18th centuries.

With trade came prosperity, and French poet Renier, a contemporary of the era, was sufficiently moved by the city's architectural marvels to describe it as ''half the world''. Shah Abbas 1, who ruled from 1587-1629, had a lot to do with those glory years. Having reunited Persia under the Safavid dynasty, he made Esfahan its capital and subsequently embarked on a development that was the biggest in the region since the development of Baghdad in the 8th century A.D.

Chehel Sotun Palace : located in the middle garden at the end of a pool. Chehel Sotun was used as a reception venue for foreign dignitaries during the reign of Shah Abbas II. A columnar porch leads to the Throne Hall. which is adorned with paintings depicting various battlefield, as well as court life at the royal mansion. Chehel Sotun is a living testimony to the historical Persian love for splendour and extravaganza; a perspective often overshadowed by images of today's hard-line Iran.

Naqsh-e-Jahan : Now a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the name translates to ''Images of the World'', is a 160 metre semi pedestrianised  square ornamented with carefully manicured gardens and a huge fountain in the centre. the square is flanked by masterpieces of Persian architecture; mostly attributed to Shah Abbas.

Sheikh Lotfallah Mosque : Built to honor Shah Abbas' father-in-law, a reverend sheikh from Lebanon, the mosque dome appears to change in appearance through the day, as the delicate cream color you see around noon turns to a subtle shade of pink by dusk. In addition Sheikh Lotfallah Mosque has neither minarets nor a courtyard; an architectural oddity.

Ali Qapu Palace : The impressive six-storey royal palace has an elevated terrace offering panoramic views of the square. The highlight of your visit, however, could be the Music room. Used for the shah's private musical parties, the place is festooned with stuccowork cut out in the shapes of vases and bulbs.  This wasn't just for decoration. It's also a sort of a sixteenth century music system that amplifies sound through echoes.

Shah Mosque : Renamed the Imam Mosque after the 1979 revolution, each part of this mosque is a masterpiece in its own right. The entrance has a thirty-metre double tower portal, richly tiled in blue mosaics portraying Quranic Verses and geometrical motifs. Mismatches in the portal's apparent perfect perfect symmetry were intended to humble the artisans in comparison to that of God.

Stepping inside, the mosque's main prayer hall is another trove of artistic delights. Virtually every inch of the high ceiling is tiled with blue and yellow mosaics, with floral designs, verses from the Holy Quran.

If you stand on the black paving stones under the Dome's centre and clap your hands, the sound will resonate across the whole mosque. Scientists were able to measure 49 echoes, although 12 are audible.

With respectful dedication to all the students and professors of Iran. Many thanks for your honors. See ya all on !WOW! : The World Students Society Computers-Internet-Wireless    -where Times change and Passions endure.

Good Night & God Bless!

SAM Daily Times - the Voice of the Voiceless