Coffeehouse at the Maydan-i Naqsh-i Jahan
Title: Coffeehouse at the Maydan-i Naqsh-i Jahan
Date: 1602-1603 CE
Location: Isfahan, Iran
The coffeehouse at the Maydan-i Naqsh-i Jahan was one of seven along the Safavid royal square. It was a popular meeting place for people of all social standings and genders to meet and talk about a wide range of topics. The Safavid ruler, called the Shah, had places like these created to house a social enviornment for him to connect with the people living under his rule. Unlike other empires at the time, the Safavids had to make the Shah accessible to people, which the open archietcure of the coffeehouse allowed for. Throughout the space, conversations could be heard, and coffee could be sipped as patrons came to the coffeehouse for two reasons: lesiure and relaxation.