Gallery
Description
Property Name: Meidan Emam
Inventory No: 98-311-1
Date of infill of the inventory form: 2007-10-25
Country (State party): Iran
Province: Esfahan
Town:
Geographic coordinates: 32° 39′ 26.82″ N
51° 40′ 40″ E
Historic Period: Safavid
Year of Construction: 1590-1595
Style: Persian
Original Use: Square
Current Use: Square
Architect: Unknown
Significance
Meidan Emam is one of the largest squares in the world. It is also an exception in Esfahan, which has a dense urban pattern except for the interior courts of caravansary, creating an open urban space.
Selection Criteria
v. to be an outstanding example of a traditional human settlement, land-use, or sea-use which is representative of a culture (or cultures), or human interaction with the environment especially when it has become vulnerable under the impact of irreversible change
vi. to be directly or tangibly associated with events or living traditions, with ideas, or with beliefs, with artistic and literary works of outstanding universal significance
State of Preservation
Comprehensive restoration work has been in progress since 1965. Because of the delicate and vulnerable nature of the structures these works are still in progress.
The neighboring bazaars outside the current World Heritage core zone have been restored and new constructions cleared.
Sidewalks have been re-paved.
World Heritage inscription has been a major factor in protecting the site’s integrity
It listed in the Worl Heritage Site in 1979.
After 2000 Esfahan’s Urban Development and Revitalization Organization pursued the limitation of car access within the square area. Under the mission of UNESCO
References
Akhlaqi, Akbar. Isfahan: the city of four seasons, the museum where people live, a world of art, today. Isfahan: Shahrdari Isfahan, 1376 [1997].
Honarfar, L. Historical Monuments of Isfahan. Isfahan: Emami Press, 1964.
Michell, George. Architecture of the Islamic World:Its history and social mianing. London: Thames and Hudson, c1978.
Archnet Website: http://www.archnet.com
Unesco Website: http://whc.unesco.org
The Metropolitan Museum of Art Website: http://www.metmuseum.org/toah/ht/02/wai/ht02wai.htm