Iran 3
(Isfahan)
october-december 2000
Iran 5 (Persian Gulf, Bam)
Iran 1 (Tehran)
Iran 2 (Qom, Kashan)
Iran 6 (From the air)
Iran 4 (Yazd, Shiraz)
Index
Maidan-e Naqsh-e Jahan (literally Square of the World Picture). In the time of the Shah, this was Maidan-e Shah (Shah square); now the religious government wants everybody to call it Imam square or Imam Khomeini square. Undoubtly, the Americans hope that one day it will be renamed Democracy square. The square has been the centre of Isfahan since it was built in the 17th century. On the right the Ali Qapu palace, at the end the great Friday mosque and on the left the smaller Lotfallah mosque with its magnificent dome (see picture on the right)
Minaret of the Friday mosque
The dome of the Lutfallah mosque
Entrance to the Friday mosque
The square at night; Ali Qapu palace is on the right
Part of the great Friday mosque seen from the rooftops
Back alley with the wonderful dome of a mosque in sharp contrast
Entrance to the Friday mosque
View from a roof terrace
The central courtyard
Entrance to the Friday mosque
Courtyard
Main entrance
Dome detail
Dome detail with verses from the Koran
Bridge over the mighty Zayand� river Waiting for the river to return
Isfahan bazar
Visiting religious students in an old school along the bazar. I can�t remember why we were staring at the food
Thanks to the fact that many religious students now try to learn English   (not at the Koran schools, but at private schools) it was no problem getting to know the people who are the �extremists� of the Western media. They were about as extreme as a Dutch student studying the bible, and favourite conversation topics with them were women and football, just like everywhere else
Under their veiles these women can safely wear all kinds of jewelry
Old caravanserai still functioning as workplace
Another former caravanserai
Old-fashioned workplace (still in use) Mosque courtyard
A hugh new mosque under construction Painting of the 12th Iman, known as the Hidden Imam. Unlike the other 11 Imams, the 12th was not murdered, but disappeared almost 12 centuries ago. Many Iranians believe he will return one day, to start a new golden era for the Shi'ites, not unlike Christians awaiting the Messiah
Paintings of Khomeini can be found all over Iran; some Iranians believe he was the 12th Imam Female-only sports center. They offer Yoga, Tae kwando and skating courses. Note the sign 'not for men'; no woman is supposed to wear trousers in Iran
For sale everywhere: Zam Zam cola and other local brands. The Bavaria beer is alcohol-free, of course. All alcohol is being sold under the counter, often in Armenian quarters
On a picnic just outside Isfahan; on this occasion we drank home-made wine, made by one of the men at his parent's home, without his parents knowing anything about it.
This was end november, it was getting cold, so we lighted a fire - no problem in a public park in Iran. The car is parked in the dry riverbed of the Zayand� river (on the right)
Once the playground of the rich and famous, now controlled by the new puritans, who have added paintings of their heroes
Moment of victory for the puritans: at the 1979 revolution, all alcohol in the big hotels was destroyed (what you see on the ground are all bottles)
Ad in Iran News Incredible fall
Report suspicious foreigners to the Department of Alien Affairs!
Saying the unsayable: the newspapers form a new weapon against the conservatives, but they are frequently forbidden by the hardliners, who still control most of Iran
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