In the Garden of Isfahan

An ancient Persian proverb says, ''Isfahan is half the world,'' referring to the city's influence at the crossroads of 16th century trade routes. This magnificent city in present-day Iran is still known for its paradisiacal garden landscapes and fascinating buildings, including Naghsh-e Jahan Square, a UNESCO World Heritage site. Eminent Swiss architectural photographer Werner Blaser has captured the beauty of Isfahan in photos that present the masterworks of Persian architecture and horticulture from the 16th to 18th centuries, Isfahan's heyday under the Persian Safavid dynasty. He paints a picture of boulevards, covered bridges, palaces, mosques and minarets. With a foreword by Babak Dehchamani