Chahar Bagh Theological School
Chahar Bagh School, which is also called Madar-i Shah School, is one of the unique attractions of the Safavid period located in Isfahan province. This school was built during the reign of Shah Sultan Hussein, one of the kings of the Safavid dynasty.
This structure is known by several names; the first is Sultan's school because the school was built during the reign of Shah Sultan Hussein. Another name is Chahar Bagh school because it is located on Chahar Bagh Street; moreover, this school is also known as Madar-i Shah School because Shah Sultan Hussein's mother dedicated several bazaars, caravanserais and economic institutions to this school. This beautiful tourist attraction is located in the eastern part of Chahar Bagh Street in Isfahan. The construction of this magnificent structure began in 1704 and was completed in 1714.; in fact, this building is the last magnificent building built to teach theology to students in the Safavid era. The ancient plane trees and the water stream that flows through them have enhanced the beauty of the spectacular tiles and architectural glory of this structure. This school can also be considered the last important building that was built in Isfahan during the Safavid era. This structure can also be referred to as a paragon of Iranian tiling because Chahar Bagh School has eye-catching tileworks. In tiling of Chahar Bagh School, different types of techniques such as seven-color tiles, mosaics, gerechini, bannai or moaqeli are used, so it can be said that this school can be a considered as a kind of tiling museum in Isfahan.
Architecture of Chahar Bagh Theological School
Chahar Bagh School in Isfahan is designed in such a way that it has four porches. The exterior of the mansion consists of seventeen brick arches in two floors and a beautiful elevated entrance. In addition, the patterned moqarnas and small delicate tiles have decorated the entrance of the building as beautifully as possible; the inscription on the entrance of the building was written in white Nasta'liq script on an azure tile background by Abdolrahim Jazayeri in 1700, this date can also be seen engraved on the inscription. The two sides of the entrance are decorated with turquoise tiles, and a magnificent vase on two marble bases; there are also two beautiful and amazing marble platforms on both sides of the entrance. The main door, which is decorated with gold and silver, is a distinct sample of engraving and goldsmithing art, which reached its acme during Safavid period. You can also see the beautiful poems in Nasta'liq script in a very beautiful way, written by Mohammad Saleh Isfahani, a prominent calligrapher of Safavid era on the left and right sides of this entrance.
Inside the school, you can see the entrance, vestibule, courtyard, dome, minaret and rooms. One of the most beautiful parts of this school is its tiling and vestibule. It can also be said that the courtyard of this school is a perfect example of an introverted architecture of central regions of Iran. The rooms face a tree-filled garden, through which a stream called Farshadi creek flows; this creek is part of Zayandehrud River. The places where theology students lived and studied are rooms that have been built on two floors between the school porches. Most of these rooms have the same plan, which consists of a living room in the front and a closet in the back; there are very beautiful porches in front of all the rooms.
Tags: Isfahan Province, Isfahan Attractions, Iran Historical Attractions, Historical Schools in Iran, Chahar Bagh Theological School
