Isfahan

With over 1.5 million inhabitants, Isfahan, also known as Esfahan, is the third largest city in Iran after Tehran and Mashhad. It is located in a desertic plane along the banks of the Zayandeh-rud river, 340km south of tehran, at an altitude of over 1500 m. It's climate is very hot during summer days, but comfortably cool in summer evenings or nights. In winter it gets cold and snowfall is not unheard of. The city has been settled since prehistoric times and reached the peak of its development between 1050 and 1722, especially in the 16th century under the Safavid dynasty, when it became the capital of Persia for the second time in its history. Isfahan is a centre of arts and is famous for its Persian style Islamic architecture, with many beautiful boulevards, covered bridges, palaces, mosques, and minarets. The Naqshejahan square is one of the largest squares in the world and an outstanding example of Persian and Islamic architecture. It has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1979.