Out and about in Esfahan

 

March 28

I can’t vouch for the order that things happened as I failed at writing our itinerary down or even journaling each day. However, I think this day began with a visit to the Jameh Mosque of Esfahan built in the 13^th century and still largely intact.

Model of the Jameh Mosque and divinity school. All the little bumps are domes!

Much of this mosque has been reconstructed so the beautiful tile work is missing

These sconces were on many of the columns and so intricate.

The dome

Here is more of the tiles. Most of this has writing on it, but it still looks so decorative. In the corner is Ali, our guide.

Symmetry is very important in Persian architecture.

Intricately carved wooden steps and throne/chair all covered with dust.

In the middle where all the people are is a large pool with a dais in the middle of it.

This mosque was plain in comparison to most that we saw, but the bricks were in unique patterns in all the domes between the columns. That’s an opening in the center.

Next was a stop at the Shaking Tower Mosque.

Quaking/Shaking Towers

Then we had a very special visit to the Esfahan Music Museum. It had only been open for a few months. A fascinating look at ancient instruments as well as a wee, private concert! It was truly a highlight!

Gabe holding a big, brass chime after it was rung.

Tar

Old fashioned tuning knobs

Kamancheh

Santur

Notice the enormously long horn instrument in the case behind our guide.

Tar or Setar

Kamancheh

Precursor to the bagpipes made out of a sheep, goat, or camel bladder.

Bells

Our guide and owner of the museum playing a tar

From L to R: drum, kamancheh, tar, tar, santur

Megan and Eugene Lee

Lunch was at an old bathhouse that had been turned into a restaurant. The food and service were great, and it was fun to see the remains of the bathhouse underneath.

YUM! chicken, fish, stuffed peppers

Bathhouse restaurant

We went and visited St. Joseph’s Cathedral, which was built 400 years ago and has also become a museum and shrine to the victims of the Armenian genocide.

This church was entirely covered inside by paintings. This was one wall.

This one depicts heaven, earth, and hell

This is the church from the outside.

The adjoining museum had hand-written Bibles

intricately carved crosses, and memorials to the Armenian genocide

I mustn’t forget the quaint, eclectic shisha bar we visited. Ironically, you had to walk through the smoking section to get to the non-smoking section where we waited for a table in the smoking section. Haha! There we had tea, some syrupy sweet pastry, and shared some shisha.

Walls and ceilings completely covered in stuff.

We’re waiting in the non-smoking section but can see through to the smoking section

Shisha and sweets at the table

Heading back to Naqsh-e-Jahan Square we had dinner in another sit-on-the-same-level-as-your-food place to try sheep’s lung biryani.

The small brown pile is sheep’s lung. We had to try it as it is considered a delicacy.

Adventures of the cultural palate! It was a unique texture. We went back to the hotel and a few went back out to the bazaar for more shopping. Whew! So much packed into one day!