Bridges of the Safavid Isfahan and Khajoo Bridge in particular can be regarded as signs of prosperity, security, peace and the rulers’ dedication to answering the needs of the citizens of the Iranian capital in four centuries ago. In this city where the flow of Zayandehrood River in its beautiful valley distinguishes it from other Iranian cities, it is remarkable how architects have paid careful attention to creating spaces for pastime activity and recreation in a structure intended for facilitating transportation. This fine and magnificent bridge, which Mohammad Pirnia regards as the world’s most beautiful bridge, shows the masterly combination of hydraulic engineering and Iranian architectural engineering in 400 years ago, and in a sense, it is the product of two millennia of continuous experience of designing and constructing large bridges on rivers and deep natural pathways.
* Babak Zirak graduated in architecture at Iran National University. He has been director manager for Aran Consulting Engineers and chairman of some research project and has published more than 42 articles on Iran’s historical architecture and urbanism in professional journals.