108 - The Safavid Family and the Naqsh-e Jahan Square

The Naqsh-e Jahan Square is a remarkable example of urban planning, the centerpiece of the grand imperial capital of Esfahan, Iran. The capital was built by hundreds of thousands of people for the glory of Shah Abbas the Great of the Safavid Dynasty. While I'm sure the story of his military triumphs is interesting, I find the drama of his family to be waaay more interesting. From his poetry-hating grandfather to his opium-addicted gay uncle, from his blind father to the rivalry between his aunt and mother, Abbas couldn't be the paranoid maniac he was without the work of all those who came before. Listener Krister Törneke returns to talk about his several visits to Esfahan over the years, and we enjoy a plate of ghormeh-sabsi! Photo by Pedram Forouzanfar

You can listen to 108 - The Safavid Family and the Naqsh-e Jahan Square online on Radio and Podcast. Open the player on this page to stream the available audio.

108 - The Safavid Family and the Naqsh-e Jahan Square is an episode from Wonders of the World by Caroline Vahrenkamp.

This episode is 52:40 long.

This episode was published on May 31, 2025.

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