Coffeehouses in the Maydan-i Naqsh-I Jahan Royal Square
Title: Coffeehouses on the northern side of the Maydan-i Naqsh-I Jahan Royal Square
Architect: Unknown
Date: ca. early 17th Century CE
Location: Isfahan, Safavid Iran
Coffee culture in Safavid Iran is tied to the creation of coffeehouses, which provided a space for communities to engage in conversation, attend performances, and share ideas. Coffeehouses provided an alluring invitation to a new kind of social sphere and were frequented by not only locals, but foreign dignitaries and travelers as well. This new venue gave a place for Shah Abbas I to be seen within the community. The Shah specifically patronized the coffeehouses in the Maydan-i Naqsh-I Jahan Royal Square, as its location near the palace, important mosques, and Isfahan’s commercial center resulted in a high class clientele. These coffeehouses offered vaulted ceilings and open rooms spilling out into the square, allowing people to both see and be seen.