Shah Abbas I moved the capital to Isfahan for two main reasons.  Tabriz, the first Safavid capital, was located near the north-west border of Iran which bordered Armenia, a region the Safavids and Ottomans were fighting each other to control.  Because of the instability of this area, it was not a wise choice for a capital city, the seat of the government and home of the king.  Isfahan was not only located in the center of Iran, but it was also near the major trade routes which had linked Europe with China for centuries.  Isfahan was the perfect choice for a king who wanted his empire to prosper economically.

Isfahan was already an important city, but Shah Abbas set out to make it the jewel of Asia and began a monumental building campaign.  An enormous maidan, or quadrangle was established, and it became the new center of Isfahan.
 

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