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n the present site of Meydan-e-Emam before Isfahan became the Safavid capital, there used to be another square called naqsh-e-Jahan (Design of the world), much smaller than the square today.

It was Shah Abbas the Great who made Isfahan his capital and then decreed that the square should be extended to its present size, and lovely buildings set around it. The length of this great square, which is actually rectangular, is 500 meters from north to south, and its width about 150 meters from east to west. It was laid out and beautified in the reign of Shah Abbas the Great, at the beginning of the seventeenth century. From that time until sixty years ago the square presented a very different aspect from the square to day. The whole area of the square within the limits of the water channels round it was quite level, while to the north and south stood two goal posts for the game of polo. Those two goals posts are still in position but replanning with large pool in the center, and lower beds round has transformed the square and given it a completely new look. Most of the buildings round are two-storied and the alcoves simply decorated.

To the south of Maidan can be seen the great pile of Abbasi Jami (Masjid-e-Shah) - the Royal Mosque a vista of blue, - to the east is Sheikh Lutf Allah Mosque quite unequaled - to the west the royal palace of Shah Abbas the Great, Ali Qapo and to the north the Qaysariyeh gateway leading to the Royal Bazaar. The most noteworthy feature of the square is the way in which in sunshine and shade and the varying lights of the day, the whole wonderful expanse takes on a hundred different aspects each more attractive and lovely. If, as some foreign travelers have said, (Isfahan is the heart of the Orient), then Meydan-e-Emam is certainly the heart of Isfahan.

We can still appreciate its wonder on viewing it today, but imagination is needed to recapture the glory of four centuries ago. Let us try to imagine Isfahan four centuries ago. First place a hundred and ten cannons a hundred and ten paces from each side of the entrance to Ali Qapo palace, for a hundred and ten computed in the ancient letters gives the name of the Prophet`s son-in-law, Ali, who was especially venerated by the Safavid King. The palace itself has all the dazzling beauty of the period, lovely doors and all kind of expensive objects and furnishings.

Shah Abbas, of the piercing glance, sits there, surrounded by all the important personalities and ambassadors of the day, Persians and foreigners, and from the lofty gallery views the polo and other maneuvers of his Qezelbash guards below. This will give you some idea of Isfahan`s former greatness. The Qaysariyeh and the entrance of the Royal Bazaar, built in 1619, stand at the north end of the Maidan. The frescoes and painted pendentives of this gateway are still worth note. The frescoes, which picture the war of Shah Abbas, the Great with the Uzbecks, have faded badly in the air and sunlight, but the roof pendentives are still in good condition. Above the gateway here is some lovely mosaic tiling: these show the play of the star Sagittarius, the Archer, for in the old day eastern writers considered that Isfahan was under the influence of this star. The symbol of the archer shows a creature, half-man, half-tiger, with a large snake for its tail and this is depicted in the tilework here. The doorway of the Qaysariyeh opens into the Royal Bazaar, where you can find all kinds of hand-woven, hand-printed cloth being sold and you can also go in and see how the patterns are made and applied. This Bazaar has a wonderful painted crossroads, dating from Safavid times, the most beautiful and most important arches crossroads in Isfahan. At that same period, the upper galleries of the gateway used to contain bands of musicians and at sunset each evening the bands would strikes up, with kettle-drums, trumpets, horns and all kinds of military music. —Preceding unsigned comment added by 76.172.220.54 (talk) 00:57, 25 October 2008 (UTC)[reply]



Naghshe Jahan Square

[edit]
Naghshe Jahan Square, the biggest historic square in the world. Isfahan, Iran.
Here is Edit 2 for those who didn't like the black part. Thanks in advance for your votes.
Reason
It's one of the best images of this square with free licence. The composition is good and it has high resolution. It's not easy to get a shot from this position.
Articles this image appears in
Persian Empire, Safavid dynasty, Isfahan, Naghsh-i Jahan Square
Creator
Arad
Nominator
Arad
  • Oppose I don't mind the black arch, it gives a nice frame, nice composition to the photo. And it is a very attractive scene. For me it's the blown highlights/lack of detail, especially in the columns/wall to the left and the reflections on the dome. Still a very nice photo well done. --Bridgecross 15:52, 11 January 2007 (UTC)[reply]
  • Possibly, but it's highly unusual for an image to get the vast majority of it's support from new users (to FPC) who read the articles it appears in. Also in future please make sure to sign in when posting comments (I assume those IP's are you Arad) --Fir0002 02:37, 12 January 2007 (UTC)[reply]
  • Support I have this on my userpage, its a great pic! Support!Azerbaijani 01:33, 12 January 2007 (UTC)[reply]
  • Comment Mabye if you make an edit where you cut off the top so that the black is no longer there, it might look alot better. If it is I will support that version. Why1991 02:35, 12 January 2007 (UTC)

Oppose Seems to be a pretty low quality scan of a not overly spectacular/rare/historic scene. With today's cheap but decent quality digicams (and DSLR's!) a high quality image should be possible. On a side note this nomination seems a bit reminiscent of Wikipedia:Featured picture candidates/Wikipe-tan --Fir0002 05:19, 12 January 2007 (UTC)[reply]

Oppose per all comments above. Quality and graininess leave a lot to be desired in this image Krowe 06:38, 12 January 2007 (UTC)[reply]

Support per norm. --Rayis 11:50, 12 January 2007 (UTC)[reply]

  • Oppose I like to see a picture from Iran, Specialy Isfahan, on the main page but honestly the quality and resolution is very low. Next time try with a better camera. Good luck. Hessam 19:54, 12 January 2007 (UTC)[reply]
  • Oppose — My reasons:
    1. Is this a photograph or a scan? It looks more like the latter, so if it is a scan, then please post the source. Either way, it is of poor technical quality (though the actual composition is wonderful).
    2. There are the blown highlights on the building and various objects to the left.
    3. The dome on the left seems to be blurred or smudged.
    4. There are many artifacts, particularly visible around the domes and minarets. ♠ SG →Talk 21:50, 12 January 2007 (UTC)[reply]
  • Answer to your questions I'm going to make this clear for everyone. As it's the case for my images, It's been a very long time since I last been to Iran. In fact, I've never returned since i left. These images are scanned and I hope one day, when i have the opportunity to pa ya visit, get better quality images. Probably this summer. --Arad 21:55, 12 January 2007 (UTC)[reply]
  • Comment: Actually I think the arched version of the photo is better. The Square is surrounded by Arcades and vaults from all sides. And the square is studied in all classes of history of architecture in all universities because of its design (geometry, arcades, domes, historical context). So it is important to note that the photo is being taken from under the arch.--Zereshk 18:03, 13 January 2007 (UTC)[reply]
  • Oppose: Sorry, but I don't see anything special about it. Looks like any snap shot of a public square to me. --Mactographer 12:25, 14 January 2007 (UTC)[reply]
  • Oppose. A rather bad scan of a rather normal shot. NauticaShades 14:02, 15 January 2007 (UTC)[reply]
  • Oppose. If for no other reason than very noticeable JPEG artifacts. --Dante Alighieri | Talk 20:03, 15 January 2007 (UTC)[reply]
  • SupportI like this picture .Bewareofdog 00:37, 17 January 2007 (UTC)[reply]

Not promoted Raven4x4x 01:58, 18 January 2007 (UTC)[reply]

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