Isfahan was a medieval waystation on the Silk Road until the 16th century when Shah Abbas the Great (1587-1629) 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's 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.