Esfahan is the former capital of Persia and has been designated by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site. The city’s most remarkable feature is its magnificent central square which is roughly seven times larger than San Marco in Venice. The mosques, palaces, bridges and gardens also deserve a visit. The Friday Mosque (Masjid-e Jomeh) is one of Iran’s finest buildings. The Shaikh Lotfullah Mosque is famous for the stalactite effect of its northern entrance. There are also several good bazaars.