Due to the perseverance of cultural heritage news agency and the sensitivity of other media, municipal and Isfahan subway officials have finally agreed with the prohibition of an underground line beneath the historical street of Char-bagh.

In the last few years, while Isfahan subway officials insisted on putting their project into effect, the Iranian cultural heritage & tourism organization as the governmental body responsible for the preservation and protection of the Iranian cultural heritage continually proclaimed its disagreement with the subway in Char-bagh St. due to its irretrievable damages for this historical street.

“After numerous debates about the subway’s negative effects on Char-bagh St. between the Isfahani officials and CHTO officials, Isfahan city officials finally agreed to withdraw their project,” Monireh Akhavan, Isfahan representative in the Iranian parliament, told CHN.

Char-bagh (4 gardens) is one of the oldest and finest streets in Iran, built during the Safavid dynasty (1501-1722) and decked out with fountains, trees, unique cobblestones, and historical buildings like Char-bagh Mosque and Hasht-behesht Palace. This historical street was added to the Iranian national heritage list in 1931.

Akhavan said, “On the eve of this important decision, necessary studies for the rerouting of Isfahan subway have begun, and Isfahan subway project is to due to be finished in 2 years.”

According to Iranian cultural heritage experts, digging and drilling for the underground line could damage Si-o-se pol as well as the historical monuments dotting Char-bagh St. Considering the weight of this 400-year-old bridge that no longer cherishes its primary stability and strength, an underground line passing beneath Char-bagh St. could have a negative effect on the foundation of this bridge that is comprised of traditional materials like limestone and bricks.