We’ve found an astounding collection of the very first photographs of Iran, all taken by Colonel Luigi Pesce of Naples, who was deployed to Iran in 1848, in charge of training Iran’s new infantry troops up to the Italian Standard. While stationed in Iran, Luigi Pesce gained an appreciation, some would say a love, for the ancient structures and artifacts he would come in contact with on a daily basis.

He decided to combine his new appreciation for Ancient Iran with his favorite hobby, which was the up-and-coming technology of photography. From 1848 through 1858, Luigi photographed the cities, monuments, and people of Iran. The photographs are very clear and detailed for the time. Today we will view his seldom seen, yet historically important collection in complete detail.

To look at the Old World through the lens of the Middle East, with a focus on Iran, we find numerous structures in this collection; ancient sites of biblical importance, photographed for the very first time in history.