Traditions of Isfahan
Half the world, as the old Persian saying goes: a city of blue-tiled domes, bridges, miniatures and gaz sweets.
Isfahan was the capital of Persia under the Safavid dynasty in the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries, and its royal square, Naqsh-e Jahan, is one of the largest in the world. Persian craft traditions, including tilework, miniature painting, block printing and metal engraving, are strong here.
Crafts of the royal city
Craftsmen make qalamkar, hand-printed cloth with carved wooden blocks, and engrave copper and silver with fine patterns, a craft known as qalamzani. The bridges over the Zayandeh River, Si-o-se-pol and Khaju, are meeting places on summer evenings. At Nowruz, families spread a haft-seen table with seven symbolic items.
At the table
Beryani is a local dish of minced lamb baked and served on thin bread. Gaz, a nougat with pistachios and rose water, was first made here from tree sap and is the city's gift. Tea and sugar lumps are served at tea houses. Dizi, a lamb and chickpea stew, is also popular.
Signature traditions of Isfahan
Also part of it, and being written: Gaz (The Persian nougat.), Qalamkari (Hand-printed Persian cloth.).
A trail idea for Isfahan
- Naqsh-e Jahan Square Sit on the grass at sunset.
- Si-o-se-pol Bridge Walk at night when the arches are lit.
- Grand Bazaar of Isfahan Look for crafts and spices.
Written by the EveryParampara desk with AI assistance. Opening hours, markets and festival dates change; check locally before travelling. Customs differ from place to place and family to family. If this is your tradition and we have it wrong, tell us.
Photo credits on this page
The small pictures above come from Wikimedia Commons under free licences. Some are cropped to fit.
- Chaharshanbe Suri: Philippe Giabbanelli, CC BY 3.0, source
- Nowruz: Katzenfee50, CC0, source
- Persian miniature: 13th century CE painter, Public domain, source
- Haft-sin: HengamehRM, CC BY-SA 3.0, source