Madraseh-ye Chahar Bagh

Lonely Planet review

The Madraseh-ye Chahar Bagh was built between 1704 and 1714 as part of an expansive complex that included a caravanserai (now the Abbasi Hotel) and the Bazar-e Honar. Revenues from these buildings paid for the upkeep of the madraseh.

Entry is through an imposing wood-and-silver door but this, unfortunately, is mostly closed to visitors. Apart from the two-week No Ruz period, you'll need to befriend a student to get in. If you do, you'll find a tree-filled courtyard surrounded by two-storey porches leading to the students' rooms. Around it are a prayer hall with a superb mihrab , two of the finest Safavid-era minarets in Esfahan, some exquisite mosaics and an attractive dome.