1974/01/01 by Lisa Golombek · 1 citation
Arts and Humanities · Social Sciences · #Ancient history #Archaeology and Historical Studies #Face (sociological concept) #Historical and Architectural Studies #History #Islamic Studies and History #Linguistics #Order (exchange) #Philosophy #Prayer #Theology
paper · doi:10.1080/00210867408701454
openalex publication_date 1974/01/01 · openalex created_date 2025/10/10 · openalex updated_date 2026/05/21
The splendour of Safavid Isfahan is no doubt proverbial. The landmarks that come to mind--the great Maydān-i Shāh with its stage perpetually set, the elegant Chahār Bāgh avenue, the graceful bridges slung across the Zayandah Rud--would make it appear as though the topography of Isfahan today, except for the old Jāmi ᶜ , is a Safavid one. It is hard to believe, however, that the ages have not left a deeper mark, that the patterns of life generated in the pre-Safavid past did not affect profoundly the course of subsequent development. Consider for example the curious orientation of Shāh ᶜ Abbās’ imperial centerpiece, the Maydān-i Shāh. The two imperial mosques built to the south and east of the Maydān, the Masjid-i Shāh and the Luṭfallah Mosque, awkwardly twist on their axes in order to face the proper direction for prayer, the qiblah.