Isfahan was a medieval waystation on the Silk Road until the 16th century when Shah Abbas the Great (1587??629) conquered it and made it the new capital of the Safavid dynasty under a unified Persia. He built parks, libraries, baths and mosques, and Isfahan became one of the largest cities in the world. In 1722, following the defeat of the Safavids in the Battle of Gulnabad, Afghans raided Isfahan after a long siege, which left much of the city in ruins. Nowadays, it is the second city of Iran, and produces fine carpets, textiles, steel and handicrafts. The city??? Naghsh-e Jahan Square was designated as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO, and is regarded and an outstanding example of Iranian and Islamic architecture.