page_title: Isfahan
section_title: Bridges
hierarchical_section_title: Isfahan / Culture / Bridges
caption_attribution_description: English: Persian Pottery from the city Isfahan, 17th century, at the Royal Ontario Museum, Toronto. فارسی: INFO. IN PERSIAN: سفال های ایرانی از سده هفدهم میلادی که در اصفهان ساخته شده اند Nederlands: Perzisch aardewerk, 17de eeuw.
context_page_description: Isfahan, historically also rendered in English as Ispahan, Spahan, Sepahan, Esfahan or Hispahan, is a major city in Iran. It is located 406 kilometres south of Tehran and is the capital of Isfahan Province.
  Isfahan has a population of approximately 2.0 million, making it the third-largest city in Iran after Tehran and Mashhad, but was once one of the largest cities in the world.
  Isfahan is an important city as it is located at the intersection of the two principal north-south and east-west routes that traverse Iran. Isfahan flourished from 1050 to 1722, particularly in the 16th and 17th centuries under the Safavid dynasty when it became the capital of Persia for the second time in its history under Shah Abbas the Great. Even today the city retains much of its past glory.
  It is famous for its Perso–Islamic architecture, grand boulevards, covered bridges, palaces, tiled mosques and minarets. Isfahan also has many historical buildings, monuments, paintings, and artifacts. The fame of Isfahan led to the Persian pun and proverb "Esfahān nesf-e- jahān ast": Isfahan is half the world.
  The Naghsh-e Jahan Square in Isfahan is one of the largest city squares in the world.
context_section_description: The bridges on the Zayanderud river comprise some of the finest architecture in Isfahan. The oldest bridge is the Shahrestan bridge, whose foundations were built by the Sasanian Empire (3rd–7th century Sassanid era); it was repaired during the Seljuk period. Further upstream is the Khaju bridge, which was built by Shah Abbas II in 1650. It is 123 metres (404 feet) long with 24 arches, and also serves as a sluice gate.
  Another bridge is the Choobi (Joui) bridge, which was originally an aqueduct to supply the palace gardens on the north bank of the river. Further upstream again is the Si-o-Seh Pol or bridge of 33 arches. The building was built during the reign of Shah Abbas the Great by Sheikh Baha'i and connected Isfahan with the Armenian suburbs of New Jolfa. Armenian suburb of New Julfa. It is by far the longest bridge in Isfahan at 295 m (967.85 ft).
  Another notable bridge is the Marnan Bridge.
caption: Persian pottery from the city Isfahan, 17th century
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