Ispahan

Ispahan (FR) spelling of Isfahan (or Esfahan), city in present-day Iran, once the capital of the 16th century Shah Abbas (1587–1629), then of Suleiman the Magnificent (1494–1566), and Akbar (1542–1605) of the Moguls. Its Royal Square, Hall of Columns, Hall of Audience, and Blue Mosque were famed for their ornamentation in tile, precious stone, and metal. The city was also renowned for its profusion of roses. (Leconte de Lisle)