Chitul Sutun. A ceremonial palace completed by Shah Abbas II in 1647. It was used to entertain visors - Europeans have described long, lavish and riotous parties that were given there by Abbas II

The Allahverdi Khan Bridge. One of 5 bridges in Isfahan. This one was built around 1600 by Allahverdi Khan, the Shah's most trusted general, for Abbas I. It has 33 arches and is more than 300 yards in length

Vank Cathedral. Abbas I transported thousands of Armenian families from Julfa in Azerbaijan to Isfahan. They were allowed to build churches and worship as Christians - as their descendants still do. Supposedly, the Shah wanted these hard-working and thrifty artisans to be an inspration to his subjects! The cathedral was begun in 1606 - but is today clad in modern brickwork. In the dark interior are many stomach-churning scenes of torture and suffering

The Bazaar. Mannequins modelling approved Islamic dress for the modern woman.

Imam Square at night. The great square - "as spacious and pleasant and aromatic a market as any in the universe" - the 20-acre centrepiece of Abbas' city. It became a polo-ground in the evening: the marble goal-posts are still in place

Painting in the Chitil Sutun

Shah Tahmasp - in the Chitil Sutun

Wall painting in Chitil Sutun

A Safavid Beauty

Vank Cathedral. Modern plaque commemorating the foundation of the Armenian cathedral

Chilling in the Friday Mosque

The Friday Mosque

Calligraphic tiles

Imam Mosque. Formerly the Royal Mosque (Masjid-i-Shah). Abbas I's major project - in his hurry to get it finished he cut a number of corners, including using the cheaper 7-colour tiles

Lutfullah Mosque

Imam Square

Imam mosque

Imam Mosque. Decorative stucco work

Two Ayatollahs - Khomeini and Khamenei

Domes and minarets

Imam mosque in silhouette

Young visitors to the Friday Mosque

The Sheik Lutfullah Mosque. Built by Abbas I to honour his father-in-law

Interior of the mosque

Old man with a rosary

Tree of Life carpet