Iran has one of the oldest town cultures in the world, going back more than 4000 years. Between the Islamic conquest in the seventh century and Westernisation in the second half of the nineteenth century, the cities and towns in today’s Islamic Republic of Iran underwent repeated changes.

Persian building culture influenced architects and artists as far as Central Asia in the north and India in the east. Unlike any other country in the region, Iran shows a unique urban and architectonic development whose defining characteristics merged with other cultures over time, representing an important contribution to world architecture.

In this architectural guide, author and architect Thomas Meyer-Wieser embarks on a journey into history, showcasing nearly 300 buildings and other projects in Tehran, Isfahan and Shiraz. His focus is on the Iranian-Islamic architectural identity, which has held its own since the rise of the Safavids in 1501.

Iran has one of the oldest town cultures in the world, going back more than 4000 years. Between the Islamic conquest in the seventh century and Westernisation in the second half of the nineteenth century, the cities and towns in today’s Islamic Republic of Iran underwent repeated changes.

Persian building culture influenced architects and artists as far as Central Asia in the north and India in the east. Unlike any other country in the region, Iran shows a unique urban and architectonic development whose defining characteristics merged with other cultures over time, representing an important contribution to world architecture.

In this architectural guide, author and architect Thomas Meyer-Wieser embarks on a journey into history, showcasing nearly 300 buildings and other projects in Tehran, Isfahan and Shiraz. His focus is on the Iranian-Islamic architectural identity, which has held its own since the rise of the Safavids in 1501.