The representation of national identity in historical tourist attractions of Esfahan city

This study basically shows which elements of national identity have been represented in these tourist attractions, and how this representation has been occurred. The study method is of analyzing semiology and Dollan Bart's myths in special. The cases studied involve six symbols of civic semiotics in Esfahan selected purposefully. The study findings indicate that some elements of national identity available in these semiotics have been represented and exhibited. what seems to be important is the role of religion and its relationship with iranianship. Generally the national and religious elements represented in semiotics and symbols studied, have been applied altogether, but there exists a slight difference between them. Most study cases have connection to Safavi era and afterwards. However, what is more palpable in these semiotics is represented. The effort made to represent the identity elements of Shiee Religion as an official religion happens in Safavi era and afterwards. However, what seems to be more crucial is that this form of representation has not only confined to religious elements of Shiee religion, but in most cases, we are confronted with a combination of iranianship and Shiee.