CNN's Fred Pleitgen made the journey south from Tehran to Esfahan, one of the cultural jewels of Iran.
Road to Esfahan —
CNN's Fred Pleitgen made the journey south from Tehran to Esfahan, one of the cultural jewels of Iran.
FRED DUFOUR/AFP/Getty/FILE
The trip began in the Iranian capital, a sprawling metropolis with around 12 million inhabitants.
Tehran —
The trip began in the Iranian capital, a sprawling metropolis with around 12 million inhabitants.
Frederik Pleitgen/CNN
Tehran is a fairly new city by Iranian standards -- full of great cafes (not to mention 24-hour traffic) but mostly devoid of the ancient sites that tell the story of Persian civilization.
Tehran —
Tehran is a fairly new city by Iranian standards -- full of great cafes (not to mention 24-hour traffic) but mostly devoid of the ancient sites that tell the story of Persian civilization.
Frederik Pleitgen/CNN
South of the capital lies Mahtab, where sohan -- a brittle toffee topped with pistachios and almonds -- is a big hit.
Mahtab —
South of the capital lies Mahtab, where sohan -- a brittle toffee topped with pistachios and almonds -- is a big hit.
Frederik Pleitgen/CNN
Mahtab is almost like an American-style rest area, complete with a food court with a fried chicken place. But its specialty is hand-made traditional Iranian sweets.
Mahtab —
Mahtab is almost like an American-style rest area, complete with a food court with a fried chicken place. But its specialty is hand-made traditional Iranian sweets.
FREDERIK PLEITGEN/CNN
The next stop -- the holy city of Qom -- is one of the most important places for Shia pilgrimage in Iran and also the country's center for theological studies.
Qom —
The next stop -- the holy city of Qom -- is one of the most important places for Shia pilgrimage in Iran and also the country's center for theological studies.
FREDERIK PLEITGEN/CNN
Qom is home to the Masumeh holy shrine, one of the most important tombs in Iran.
Qom —
Qom is home to the Masumeh holy shrine, one of the most important tombs in Iran.
AFP/Getty Images/FILE
Kashan, down the road from Qom, is home to Fin Garden, where Persian kings used to come to relax.
Kashan —
Kashan, down the road from Qom, is home to Fin Garden, where Persian kings used to come to relax.
Frederik Pleitgen/CNN
The garden in its current form was built during the reign of Abbas I of Persia between 1571 and 1629.
Kashan —
The garden in its current form was built during the reign of Abbas I of Persia between 1571 and 1629.
Frederik Pleitgen/CNN
Borujerdi House, built in the 19th century for the wife of a rich merchant, is a symbol of Kashan's past wealth.
Kashan —
Borujerdi House, built in the 19th century for the wife of a rich merchant, is a symbol of Kashan's past wealth.
FREDERIK PLEITGEN/CNN
In addition to its magnificent interiors, Borujerdi House is also equipped with a system of roof vents -- the closest thing to air conditioning several hundred years ago.
Kashan —
In addition to its magnificent interiors, Borujerdi House is also equipped with a system of roof vents -- the closest thing to air conditioning several hundred years ago.
FREDERIK PLEITGEN/CNN
Kashan is also home to some of the most important carpet-weaving in Iran.
Kashan —
Kashan is also home to some of the most important carpet-weaving in Iran.
Frederik Pleitgen/CNN
The final stop is Esfahan, a 2,500-year-old city that was the capital of the Persian Empire three times.
Esfahan —
The final stop is Esfahan, a 2,500-year-old city that was the capital of the Persian Empire three times.
John Moore/Getty Images/FILE
The mosques and buildings in Esfahan's Imam Square comprise one of UNESCO's World Heritage Sites.
Esfahan —
The mosques and buildings in Esfahan's Imam Square comprise one of UNESCO's World Heritage Sites.
Frederik Pleitgen/CNN
UNESCO says that the blue-tiled buildings of Imam Square are testimony to the level of cultural life in Persia during the Safavid era, which began in the early 16th century.
Esfahan —
UNESCO says that the blue-tiled buildings of Imam Square are testimony to the level of cultural life in Persia during the Safavid era, which began in the early 16th century.
FREDERIK PLEITGEN/CNN
Khaju Bridge is one of many famous bridges that run over the Zayonde River in Esfahan.
Esfahan —
Khaju Bridge is one of many famous bridges that run over the Zayonde River in Esfahan.
FREDERIK PLEITGEN/CNN
There are also sitting areas inside the arches of Khaju Bridge, which has its origins in the 17th century.
Esfahan —
There are also sitting areas inside the arches of Khaju Bridge, which has its origins in the 17th century.
FREDERIK PLEITGEN/CNN