Famous School
Madresseh Chaharbagh
"Madresseh Chaharbagh I"
The most frequently visited madressh in Esfahan is Charharbagh or Sultani
formerly Madar-e Shah (the Shah's Mother) situated at the Chaharbagh Avenues.
This Koranic school was founded upon the initiative of Shah Soltan Hossein's
mother. The Shah was the last of the Safavid sovereigns who, after taking
refuge in this very building, was put to death by the Afghan invadors(1622).
In order to finance the shool, Hossein's
mother got a large caravanserai built nearby, the income of the which went to the
Foundation. Nowdays there are only a few students in the Madresseh, but the
caravanserai has become the most famous luxury hotel in Iran.
The Madresseh was skillfully restored. The caravanserai, which become the Abbasi
Hotel was almost entirely rebuilt. Its luxurious decoration demonstrates the skill
of contempory artists such as glassworkers, scultptors on plaster, goldsmiths,
carpet weavers and painters.
"Madresseh Chaharbagh II"
The monumental portal from the main avenue of Shah-Abbas leads directlry into a domed
octagonal vestibule. The dome and the greater part of the walls are covered in bright
yellow bricks which give a feeling of lightness. Against this background a number of
tile mosaic panels are set, but the overall effect is achieved by much simpler means
than in the previous century.
"Madresseh Chaharbagh III "
The last great building erected under the Safavids, it was built by Sultan
Husayn and dedicated to the Mother of the Shah. The central court, with its
pool and garden, are surrounded by arcades on two levels, each giving acces
to a student's room.
"The portico of Madresseh Chaharbagh"
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