Asia

[Visited: April 2001]

One of the largest squares in the world, the Emam Khomeini Square measures not less than 500 by 160 metres. On all sides, the square is closed by arched buildings in which you can find shops and bars. The middle of the square contains a huge fountain, and on two sides the square has magnificent domes of mosques looking down below. The other side has the palace of Shah Abbas I, the mastermind of Esfahan's bright period.
The first time I entered the square, I was overwhelmed by its size. The square is huge, but since it is closed on all sides by orderly arched buildings, it is still an entity on its own. This is the heart of the city, and a point to which all Esfahani's gather to flock and stroll over. The middle areas contain grass on which many people take a rest. It is also the departure point for horsecarts, which seem to be used mainly by Iranians.
As the sun goes down, the light on the square becomes more intense, the colours of the buildings come to life, and the fountains in the middle display rainbows. It is time to sit on a roof terrace overlooking it all and enjoying the sun setting over the city. It is not difficult to imagine how Shah Abbas I must have looked over the square, watching polo matches which covered the entire square.

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Personal travel impressions both in words and images from Emam Khomeini Square (Iran). Clicking on the pictures enlarges them and enables you to send the picture as a free e-card or download it for personal use, for instance, on your weblog. Or click on the map above to visit more places close to Emam Khomeini Square.
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