Ardestan

Ardestan is a city in the Central District of Ardestan County, Isfahan province, Iran, serving as capital of both the county and the district.

Population
At the time of the 2006 National Census, the city's population was 14,698 in 4,077 households. The following census in 2011 counted 15,701 people in 4,680 households. The 2016 census measured the population of the city as 15,744 people in 5,093 households.

Overview
Ardestan is located at the southern foothills of the Karkas mountain chain and is 110 km northeast of Isfahan. It is believed the city was founded in Sassanian times and was strongly fortified in the 10th century. A Seljuk-era mosque, a bazaar, several ab anbars, and historical houses of the old town are among the tourist attractions of Ardestan. Mulberry, pomegranate and a special kind of fig are the main orchard products of the town.

It has been said that Ardestan was the birthplace of Hassan Modarres.

Climate
Ardestan has a hot desert climate (Köppen: BWh).

Historical sites

 * Imamzadeh Husayn: This Seljuk imamzadeh possibly made part of a Seljuk madrasah. Only little of this structure remains today. A badly damaged portal with the remains of a minaret (originally two) can still be found.
 * Imamzadeh Ismael
 * Jameh Mosque of Ardestan: The oldest parts indicate a pre-Seljuk building, and it is possible the mosque was built on the site of a chahar taq. The structure was incorporated in a Seljuk kiosk mosque in the 12th century, and further expanded to the classical four-iwan plan. The stucco decoration of the mihrab was altered during the Il-Khanid period.

Notable people

 * Mustafa Tabataba’inejhad, Shia Cleric
 * Yousef Tabatabai Nejad, Shia Cleric