Safavid Empire

17 artifacts · 1487 CE – 1722 CE · architecture (7) · people (5) · battle (2) · artifact (2) · spiritual (1)

Emerging from the tumult of the late 15th century, the Safavid Empire transformed Iran into a vibrant center of Shia Islam and Persian culture. Artifacts such as the stunning architecture of Ali Qapu and the legacies of rulers like Abbas the Great illuminate a period marked by religious zeal and artistic flourishing.

The Collection

• Ismail I — 1487 CE · people
• Safavid conversion of Iran to Shia Islam — 1501 CE · spiritual
• Battle of Chaldiran — 1514 CE · battle
• Tahmasp I — 1514 CE · people
• Ardabil Carpet — 1540 CE · artifact
• Reza Abbasi — 1570 CE · people
• Abbas the Great — 1571 CE · people
• Ali Qapu — 1597 CE · architecture
• Naqsh-e Jahan Square — 1598 CE · architecture
• Si-o-se Pol — 1599 CE · architecture
• Shahnameh of Shah Tahmasp — 1600 CE · artifact
• Shah Mosque — 1611 CE · architecture
• Chehel Sotun — 1647 CE · architecture
• Khaju Bridge — 1650 CE · architecture
• Hasht Behesht Palace — 1669 CE · architecture
• Nader Shah — 1698 CE · people
• Battle of Gulnabad — 1722 CE · battle