2 - Ali Qapu of Isfahan
Empires of the Early Modern Period (1450-1750)
Empires of the Early Modern Period (1450-1750)
Ali Qapu, the palace on the square in Isfahan, had a striking balcony, and most of the palaces had large, open verandas. The point was not only to enable the Safavid shah to observe outside activities but to emphasize his visibility and accessibility, qualities long esteemed in the Persian tradition of kingship. The palace was also used to entertain noble visitors and foreign ambassadors.
Shah Abbas made his capital, Isfahan, into the queen of Persian cities and one of the most precious jewels of urban architectural development anywhere in the world: its inhabitants still boast that “Isfahan is half the world.” Abbas concentrated markets, the palace, and the royal mosque around a vast polo field and public square. Broad, shaded avenues and magnificent bridges linked the central city to its suburbs. Safavid architects made use of monumental entryways, vast arcades, spacious courtyards, and intricate, colorful decoration. Isfahan contained 162 mosques, 48 schools where future members of the ulama learned the sacred Muslim sciences, 273 and public baths in addition to the imperial palace.
The acoustics of the music hall