Word FileHistoric-Natural Axis of Isfahan City
Property names are listed in the language in which they have been submitted by the State Party.
Iran (Islamic Republic of) (Asia and the Pacific) |
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| Date of Submission: | 09/08/2007 |
| Criteria: | (i)(ii)(iii)(iv)(v)(vi) |
| Category: | Cultural |
| Submitted by: | Iranian Cultural Heritage, Handicrafts and Tourism Organization |
| State, Province or Region: | Isfahan Province |
| Ref.: | 5176 |
Description
The combined historic-natural axis of Isfahan is with no doubt the most significant urban structure in Iran that was planned in Seventieth Century - in continuation of the organic structure shaped in previous centuries - and has influenced and guided the growth of the city during the past 400 years.
The First axis consists of five sections:
- The bazaar stretching about 2500 meters from Toghchi Gate to Naghsh-e-Jahan Square;
- The Safavid Court Quarter 500 meters Length from Naghsh-e-Jahan Square to the beginning of Chahar Bagh;
- The Abbasid Chahar Bagh with an approximately 1500 meters length, from Dowlat Gate to the Zayandeh - Roud River;
- Si-o-se-pol Bridge, 400 meter Length (over the width of the river, along the axis); and
- Upper Chahar Bagh with 1500 meter length from Zayandeh Roud to Hezar Jarib Garden (presently Isfahan University Campus).
Thus, the length of this man-made axis is totally 6400 meters.
The Second axis consists of the Zayandeh - Roud river in between historic bridges of Marnan and Shahrestan with an approximate length of 8000 meters and width of 300 meters. For depicting the combined historic--natural axis of Isfahan an area of 340 hectares including 1320 parcels (registered plots) is allocated where over 220 historic buildings with excellent or distinguished values (such as mosques, caravansaries, schools, public baths and ...) as well as several complexes with authentic historic composition are located.
For this area, a Primary Buffer Zone of 440 hectares (including 4780 plots) and a Secondry Buffer Zone of 385 hectares (including 8500 plots) are designated.
Justification for Outstanding Universal Value
Satements of authenticity and/or integrity
The site of Isfahan historic axis is doubtlessly authentic and possesses integrity, because:
- It is continuous: meaning that from Jame' Mosque to Atigh Square, bazaar, Naghshe-e-Jahan Square, and from Safavid Court Quarter to Abbasid Chahar Bagh, Zayandeh - Roud and Upper Chahar Bagh, form an axis that although has spatial diversity, but is continuous and one could trace monumental and historic values from the beginning (Toghchi Gate and Jame' Mosque) to the end (Hezar Jarib Garden);
- Has authenticity: meaning that despite negligence and inattentiveness in recent decades, its variety and composition is renowned;
- Has spatial vigor: meaning that despite imposition and destruction in recent decades, it is clearly distinguished amidst of the chaotic and disintegrated urban environment of today;
Comparison with other similar properties
The historic site (result of two historic and natural axes in perpendicular shape) is the only remaining work of an integrated planning and design scheme in the country's history that, in spite of mentioned negligence during the past three centuries, still possesses the potential of self-demonstration in the contemporary city!
Monuments, buildings and spaces that constitute this complex might individually be losers in a competition with unique world Heritage properties, but are unrivaled in the world as an ensemble! Thus it requires to be included as a World Heritage in order to make rehabilitation policies and programs realized.