The Priest House of Julfa of Isfahan
(A Cultural, Touristic, Residential Complex)

Isfahan is one of the largest cities of Iran and has been the most famous city in the east throughout the 17th – 19th centuries-A.D. On the strength of historical resources, this city was founded by Tahmoures one of the kings of Iranian Pishdadis. Before Islam, Isfahan used to be a troops concentration center. That’s why it was used to be called “ESPAHAN”. Because of a mild and moderate climate and the existence of Zayanderood the city focused the attention of Moslem marshals and became among the important cities of Iran.

The fructification of Iran began after Islam and from the period of Aale Booyeh. In this era, supported by Saaheb Ebn Ebad, the efficient vizier of Moayyedodoleh Deilami, Isfahan was converted into a center for scientists, poets, and cultural advocates, and its fame was spread all over the world.

In the Seljuk period Isfahan was chosen as the capital of on supported by the wise and powerful prime ministers of this dynasty a Amidolmolk Kondory and Khaje Nezamolmolk the city was enlarged and fully developed. This is evident from the gardens, mosques, places, schools and minarets  which have remained from those times. Nasser Khosro, the famous tourist of this period has described Isfahan in his book as a developed city : “ Isfahan is a city adjacent to the desert, with a good climate, wherever you dig a well of  10 Gaz (about eleven meters), a very good and cold water would emerge. The city has a high and strong wall round it”. He has stressed   that “ all over the Farsi speaking lands I have not seen any city better, more comprehensive and more developed than Isfahan”. Isfahan’s fructification was in full swing in the time of the Safavides. In this period Isfahan was re-elected as the capital and the Safavide Kings did their best for its development and prosperity. Many of the bridges, places, caravanserais, quarters and ancient monuments date back to those times. According to Jean Chorden, the famous French Tourist the city has been the greatest city of the world. Thomas Herbert, the British tourist who visited Isfahan in the seventeenth century has said “ Here and there there is a garden for recreation  and relaxing, I have not seen such a vivid garden all over Asia, It’s green and resembles a paradise.”