caravanserais, two-table teahouses
and peripheral markets.
Of the four monuments bordering
Imam Square, the understated 16th
century Lotfollah mosque is unusual
in its lack of minarets or central
courtyard, as it was created for ladies
of the harem. Long shielded from the
public eye, the interiors remained
a mystery. There’s no mistaking the
measures taken by Sheikh Lotfollah,
a religious prayer leader Imam, to
make this exquisite for the ladies.
Crescent marble, complex mosaics,
cream-and-blue tiework and calligraphic montages are world-famed.
The dome is 13m wide and engulfed
in an intricate lattice tilework,
converging in a peacock at the apex.
Unesco awarded this world heritage
status as an urban phenomenon of
space amidst the tightly parcelled
Persian city.
My favourite spot to spend time
in Esfehan is the now uber-trendy
Armenian Quarter. The museum
attached to Vank cathedral is
the best place to learn about the
bloodied Armenian genocide
and history of Armenians in Iran.
They flourished in commerce and
education under Reza Shah and
Mohammed Reza Shah in the
19th century.
Vank cathedral draws gasps, embellished ceiling to floor in vibrant
vivid murals and frescoes depicting
Christianity. Afterwards, wander to
Café Ani, a hub for young creatives
who convene over the best coffees
in town. Restaurants, cafes and
boutique shops here are unique
and eclectic in this Greenwich
Village feel. Here, I meet a group
of new-age Tehranis who’re artists,
poets, musicians and actors.
Learning first-hand their hopes
for the future of expressionism for
Iranians, an all-pervading sense of
optimism appears. But then, they
are actors.
Memoirs of Iran
Iran is a deeply polarized nation
due to its political governance. But
the hospitality and warmth of the
Iranians is legendary and their fierce
pride of place admirable. Travel here
is an once-in-a-lifetime experience
and one that’ll remain with any
traveller forever.
NEED-TO-KNOW: My Iran itinerary
was tailor made by specialist travel
agency ‘Travel The Unknown’ who
offers group tours and private tours
to Iran.
www.traveltheunknown.com
Photo: Anisha Shah
Anisha Shah is a luxury and emerging destinations
travel journalist. Her background as a BBC TV and
radio news reporter, combined with a longstanding
love affair with travel, sees her first on the scene
of new and exciting travel hot spots. Her work has
appeared in The Huffington Post, Yahoo Travel and
Prestige Asia.
Follow Anisha on Twitter: @anishahbbc.
www.theaddressmagazine.com
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