Safavid Architecture

Safavid architecture is the Persian Islamic building tradition of the Safavid dynasty, which ruled Iran from 1501 to 1736 and used monumental architecture to project both the Islamic credentials of the state and the glory of older Persian traditions. Its greatest expression came under Shah Abbas the Great, who transformed the layout of Isfahan into his new capital, laying out the rectangular Naqsh-e Jahan Square, now a UNESCO World Heritage Site, alongside the linear Chahar Bagh Boulevard. The Shah Mosque was built on the square's southern side and became the city's primary place of worship. The style is known for its blend of Persian and Islamic architectural elements, including grand boulevards, covered bridges, palaces, tiled mosques and minarets.