By George Omagbemi Sylvester
Israeli airstrikes have caused significant damage to some of Isfahan’s most cherished cultural landmarks, including the Ali Qapu Palace and Chehel Sotoun Palace and Garden, officials from Iranian Ministry of Culture and Heritage say. These 17th‑century Safavid‑era sites, located in Isfahan’s Naqsh‑e Jahan Square, are among Iran’s most treasured architectural and historical jewels, having withstood centuries of upheaval before being harmed amid the current conflict.
The damage was reported after airstrikes in the region on Monday, March 9, 2026, when blasts near government buildings sent shockwaves through nearby heritage sites, shattering tiles, murals, and decorative elements integral to the palaces’ unique Persian artistry.
The Ali Qapu and Chehel Sotoun palaces are part of a larger ensemble of Safavid monuments that represent Iran’s cultural legacy from the 16th and 17th centuries and are protected under UNESCO heritage designations. The ministry released images showing debris, broken architectural details and fractured features from these historic compounds.
International concern has risen as UNESCO and cultural preservation groups warn that attacks on historic sites risk not only national heritage loss but also irreversible damage to humanity’s shared cultural patrimony amid the widening Middle East conflict.
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