The city lies at the life-giving Zayandeh-roud river, at the foot of rocky Zagros mountain range, with local summit Sofeh mountain, surrounded by enormous hilly and wild desert. It lies more than 1500 meters over the sea level and enjoys continental climate. Quiet and somnolent wartime, Isfahan had already its high days over.

In 1942 however, it came back to life as an asylum for Polish refugees, arriving from the “ruthless land”. The preparation works to admit first groups of refugees were started just in March 1942, with the assistance of the British Council. On April 10th, the first group of 250 orphans and half-orphans of different ages came to Isfahan. The group included a number of teachers and tutors, two Ursuline sisters and Reverend Franciszek Tomasik. As time went by, this small center grew up to include 2600 children. In 1942-1945, some 2000 children passed through Isfahan, called then “the city of Polish children”. Some of the children lived there from the beginning until the moment of closure, other stayed there shortly until the time of departure to Africa or to New Zealand.

The fact that such a big group of children was installed in Isfahan was due to intention of locating as many as possible orphans in better climate and living conditions. They had to recover their health and forces as soon as possible, having gone through strenuous experience in Soviet Union.

The children lived in orphanages, called “institutions”, to avoid painful connotations with recent loss of their parents. The Institution No. 1, called commonly “Number One”, was established in a mansion, leased from Persian Prince Soremidoule, and it was located at the western border of the city. The Institution No. 2 (Number Two) was located in the convent of French Sisters of Charity. The Institution No. 3 (Number Three) was in the house of Swiss St. Lazar Fathers. These first three boarding schools were the origins of “Polish Isfahan”, which grew up progressively to include 21 institutions.

In catholic institutions, the children were maintained by the Apostolic See; in other centers, the sponsor was the Government of the Republic of Poland, on whose behalf the representatives of the Ministry of Labor and Social care were working there.

Still growing a number of children coming to Isfahan was the reason why the houses on the other bank of Julfa River, in Armenian district, were leased thanks to the kindness of Armenian Bishop Akhbar.

The city was vibrant with Polish life. Upon arrival of Polish children, the nursery schools, primary and grammar schools, as well as classical colleges started to operate; for the purposes of education, necessary manuals were copied and scouting was organized. The Association of Polish Teachers was active, presided by John Krzewinski. Apart from schools in Isfahan, a convalescent house was opened, and more important, Polish Health Service was organized. Furthermore, Polish bakery and workshops such as carpenter, shoemaker and metalworker was opened, and even Polish baths on Julfa zone. The Security Service, employing six men, was responsible for law and order. Everyday press communications were edited and Polish press such as “Orzel Bialy” (White Eagle), “Parada” (Parades) and “Polak w Iranie” (Pole in Iran) was distributed.

Officially the center was called “Isfahan Civil Camp No. 4”. From October 1942, all the institutions were managed by Polish Agency of the Ministry of Labor and Social Care of the Republic of Poland, responsible also for the care of Polish population. The agency was headed in succession by Tadeusz Dymowski, Eugeniusz Mancewisz from October 1942, and Stanislaw Winiarczyk, Ph. Dr. from autumn 1943.

1945 was the last year in the history of “Polish Isfahan”. Its liquidation began with closure of some institutions and progressive evacuation of inhabitants although people lived a normal life there, until June 1645. In July, the college graduates (girls) left to study in Lebanon (through Tehran and Ahwaz). Further transports followed in September and October 12th, 1945, thus closing the history of “Polish Isfahan” evacuated to Lebanon, nearly all together as solicited by the Polish authorities.

The tombs of Poles, who did not succeed in coming back to their Homeland, were left in Isfahan. Armenian Cemetery, where Polish tombs are spread, among foreign ones is located between Julfa River and the foot of Mount Sofe. Polish graves lies on a separated plot at the eastern border of the cemetery, at main alley dividing the cemetery. The plot is surrounded by a rather low wall. At its right border, there are two rows of individual graves. The plot includes 18 graves (1 military an 17 civilians) altogether.

The principal element of the Polish plot is a central granite monument with Piast Eagle, engraved on it. The eagle is crowned and it has an image of Czestochowa Holy Mother on its chest. Below an inscription reads:
”Compatriots in Remembrance of Polish Exiles”.

In front of the monument, a concrete base supports a tombstone of Tadeusz Mironowicz, the legate of the King of Poland, dead on Dec. 26, 1686. The inscription engraved on the stone, reads:
”Sinner THEODOR MIRANOWICZ lies here, legate of His Majesty King of Poland, December 26th, 1986”.

The inscription in Polish language is preceded by a blurred inscription in old Arabiab language, reading:
”By the intention of God Feodor Miranowicz, Legate of His Majesty King of Poland”.