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Sip Art and History in Isfahan Museums Tour

Sip Art and History in Isfahan Museums Tour

Isfahan Museums Tour | Unravel the essence of Persian arts in the city of blue-tiled mosques

Easy
Full day
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Free

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  • Overview
  • What you experience
  • Available On
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  • Features
  • Necessities
Overview

Isfahan, its sole name evokes sights of wonders in mind of travellers. Unravel the essence of Persian arts in the city of blue-tiled mosques, mystical bridges, and graceful bazaars. As the cultural capital of Iran, the blue jewel city is a place to be amazed by the Safavid and Qajar awe-inspiring architectures from its museums to the outstanding “Chehel Sotun” Palace, and the unique atmosphere of Jofla, its large Armenian neighbourhood. This experience is unbeatable in terms of culture and art that Isfahan has to offer. Go for it.

What you experience
  • Seeing Nesfe Jahan through the lenses of museums, ethnic groups and the taste of art and traditional foods

  • Visiting Isfahan's Contemporary Arts Museum, a Safavid era building hosting several artworks of modern local artists

  • Discovering the fine collection of the Museum of Decorative Arts, presenting a large variety of arts and handicrafts dating from the Safavid and Qajar era

  • Admiring the museum in the Palace of mirrors, "Chehel Sotun", with its typical Persian Garden listed by UNESCO as a World Heritage

  • Being introduced to the history of the Armenian community of one of the oldest and largest Armenian quarter in the world

  • Visiting "Vank Cathedral", the most beautiful church in Iran, and its rich museums

  • A delightful lunch in an old Armenian house and restaurant, with toothsome traditional Iranian cuisines

  • Visiting the only private museum in Isfahan with over 300 types of traditional Persian instruments, watching live performance in the music museum

Available On
Dec 15th
Dec 16th
Dec 17th
Dec 18th
Dec 19th
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Location & Paths
Features
  • Meals: Lunch, coffee or tea
  • Transportation: By car from Chehel Sotun Palace to Jolfa vicinity, and from Jolfa neighborhood back to your hotel or residence
  • Other services: English guided tour
  • Not included: Any extra meals or drinks, entrance fees, tips (optional), entrance fee for museums not mentioned in the itinerary
Necessities
  • Appropriate shoes for walking
  • Water bottle
Details

Bite the art

Welcome to the city of Iranian handicrafts and traditional arts: Isfahan, the blue jewel of Iran. The city once called "Half of the World" for its beauty is a living museum, with magnificent mosques and palaces, its delicate bridges crossing the Zayandeh Rud River, and the enchantress atmosphere of its old bazaar. No wonder the city is considered as the centre of Iranian craft and folk art and recognized as such by UNESCO. This experience intends to introduce you to the main Iranian arts by visiting Isfahan's museums and historical buildings, with the essence of Christianity and the Armenian community.

Your introduction to Iranian arts starts a few steps away from Naqsh-e Jahan square, by visiting the Contemporary Arts Museum and the Decorative Arts Museum of Iran, two masterpiece structures of the Safavid and Qajar eras. Inside, you can discover both traditional handicrafts and modern arts. Observing miniatures, ceramics, and calligraphies, among the stuccoed facades ornamented with tiles, will transport you right back to the glory of the Persian Empire.

Get ready for the amazing "Chehel Sotun" Palace, the wooden columns Palace with its beautiful Persian Garden, a World Heritage Site. The reflection of the 20 columns in the clear waters of the pool creates a dreamy vision. Step inside the museum, to be mesmerized by the golden Muqarnas vaultings, the painted walls, windows and ceilings, and the blazing Palace of Mirrors.

Jolfa, one of the oldest Armenian quarters in the world

The second part of your experience leads you to the Jolfa, the Armenian quarter of Isfahan; which hosts numerous migrants who once were moved to Isfahan during the wars between Safavids and the Ottoman Empire in the 16th Century. Appreciate its peaceful atmosphere by enjoying traditional sweets and coffee in an old Armenian Cafe.

Just close by, visit the gem of the neighbourhood: “Vank Cathedral”. Built in the 17th-Century, it deeply differs from the European Cathedrals, influenced by the Islamic-Armenian and the Byzantine arts. The blue and golden paintings of its walls and ceilings are mesmerizing to the visitor's eyes. In the Cathedral's museum, learn about the history of the Armenian community in Iran through ancient books and handicrafts.

Dive in the songs of Persian instruments

After a tasteful traditional lunch in an old Armenian house, head toward your last and most unparalleled destination: The Music Museum of Isfahan. There is no need to be an expert of musical instruments to be fascinated by this private museum, awarded twice. Founded by two local musicians, it showcases more than 300 instruments from all over Iran. The visit culminates with an intimate live musical performance: Local musicians play for you traditional Persian songs, along with poetry, as the best illustration that Isfahan is the proud capital of the well-alive Persian art and culture.

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