Virtual Travel to Spahan

                 THIS IS A TRANSLATION, THE ORIGINAL POST IN ARMENIAN IS HERE

Today the life in Yerevan is a little bit motionless. The weather is stagnant and the active life that we all are strongly familiar with. It doesn't even rain with pleasure. But let’s not get sad, and make use of the situation which is going on right now. I think that it’s a suitable time for that. Let’s travel to the south, to Iran. No, don’t be scared. I assure you that this virtual travel won’t cause any coronavirus danger.

You know, they always say. If you’ve seen Spahan, then consider that you’ve seen half of the whole world. Well, let’s go, I’m taking you to see half of the whole world.

The city which is 6 hours faraway from Tehran is full of treasures. Isfahan is a special city, it has its own history, art and culture. Soon you will be convinced for yourself in that. Let’s start our adventures with the largest and most important square in Spahan. The Naqsh-e Jahan Square. You can spend hours here, from every angle there is a new thing to discover and inspect. Keep your eyes open for this and that. You can visit the Sheikh Lotfollah Mosque, the Ālī Qāpū, Imam Mosque and the famous Grand Bazaar. The important thing is that you don’t need to hurry and enjoy the architecture. And in the Grand Bazaar of 11^th century, it’s very easy to get lost there because of the colours, creations and beauty, you can assume that these things are infinite, you can walk around, enjoy the sweet taste and smell, which are offered to you by the merchants. One important note: When you want to buy something from the bazaar never agree with the first price. There are even rules for the bazaar, try to learn the skill of making better offers in the discussions about the price. So, if you’ve already finished your shopping and inspection, we can get out of the square.

Let’s go to one of the biggest bridges of Spahan, The Khaju Bridge, It was built in the year 1650. On the Bridge, the Shah was organizing his open discussions. The other thing which stands out for its beauty is Si-o-se-pol. I recommend you to visit it in the evening, under the bright lights. When we pass the bridge Si-o-se-pol, we reach New Julfa, which is one of the main attractions for tourists. When Shah Abbas the first, made Spahan a city, he also transported the Armenians of Julfa from here and established New Julfa. In New Julfa we can wander through the narrow streets, because all of the city is a museum, in the open air.

 Also, we definitely need to visit The Holy saviour Cathedral, which is special by its Armenian, Persian and European mended architecture.

In the inside of the Vanks walls, are illustrated little parts from Saint Gregory the illuminators life, Adam and Eve’s history, illustrations from the crucifixion of Jesus Christ. The Illustrations were done by famous artists – Hovhannes Mrkuz, Father Stephen and the Great Master Minas. Not a big territory, but you can spend more hours re-inspecting each mural again.

By the Cathedral, let’s definitely visit the new museum, the New Julfa’s history,art, and the life is fully illustrated and shown here.

Eventually, if you want to get to know Spahan more, I will offer you to walk around the streets, enter some of the shops, teahouses, get to know the Iranian food, walk through the bridges. Look around, left and right! And enjoy this wonderful journey as much as possible.