EAST AZERBAIJAN PROVINCE
TABRIZ
As the third-largest Iranian city, Tabriz holds a special status in the country's economy and history. Tabriz is the capital of East Azerbaijan Province. It isthe largest city, alongside being the administrative, communicational,commercial, and cultural hub of north-west Iran. The population according tothe latest figures rests at 1558693 people. The city is located at 38° 2' Northand 46° 25' East and the elevation varies from 1300m to 2100m. Tabriz datesfrom Parthian and Sassanid eras (2100 to 1600 years ago). Tabriz has been anine-time capital of Persia and used to be the seat of government for longdurations. During the Qajar period (19th century) it became the city ofresidence for the crown prince. During the 16th century, when Tabriz was the SafavidDynasty's seat of government, it was the world's fifth-largest city. Forseveral years on end, Tabriz has been announced the most beautiful and developedcity in Iran. Masjed-e Kabud (The Blue Mosque of Tabriz) has been credited asthe "Turquoise of Islam". The city has 17 museums, ranking secondafter Tehran for the number of museums. Such merits besides impressivehistorical and unique monuments, natural beauties, cultural, tribal and racialcharacteristics, superb artifacts and souvenirs and …
turn the city into anunforgettable destination for tourists
Tourist Attractions of Tabriz
Kantal National Park, Arasbaran Forest, Carpet Bazaar of Tabriz, The Mashrooteh House (The Constitution House of Tabriz), Catholics' Church, El Goli Building, Kandovan, Masjed-e Kabud (The Blue Mosque of Tabriz), Arg of Tabriz (Arg Ali Shah), Rab-e Rashidi, Golestan Garden, Tombs of the great poets (Asadi Toosi, Khaghani, Shervani, Zahir Farabi, Ghataran Tabrizi, Hamam Tabrizi, Salman Savaji, Ghoted-din Shirazi, and the known poet Shahriar) and the heights of Sahand (a volcanic summit and mountain range 50km south of Tabriz and 40km north of the city of Maraghe, and south of Bostan Abad). This range has 17 summits with above 3000m altitude the highest of which is Ghooch-Ali-Daaghi that stands 3707m high, making it the highest place in the province
Bazaar of Tabriz
World’s Largest Roofed Bazaar
This is the biggest roofed bazaar of Iran. Bazaar of Tabriz is the vastest roofed bricky complex. It has 6500 stores, 25 Timchehs (small Caravanserai), 11 corridors, and some schools, mosques, and baths. You can find 40 kinds of occupations in the bazaar. There are some documents of tourists mentioning the bazaar in the 10th century. The other significant point of the bazaar is its location on the Silk Road. The gates of this bazaar were considered as the city’s main gates. It is famous since the Seljuq Dynasty. Since the Ilkhani Era in which Tabriz was selected as Iran’s capital, the importance of this bazaar was highlighted. At that time, there were three docks on the Silk Road. One in Tabriz, one in Rome, and one in China. It was famous during the Safavid Dynasty. So many people went there to trade. Due to the earthquakes, the bazaar has been destructed several times. It has been renovated several times and some buildings were added to the complex. In the late Zand Era and early Qajar Era, it was renovated under the command of Najaf Gholi Khan. In the Qajar Era, it was a prominent export center and was the main Iran export center to Europe. They exported silk, weapon, tobacco, dried fruits, and paints. They also imported mirrors, silk and velvet cloths, sugar, and metal. In 1909, the map of the bazaar was drawn by Asadullah Khan. The map included the Timchehs and caravansaries.
One of the features of this bazaar is the various occupations in the bazaar. On one side of the bazaar, you will be amazed by the astonishing gold and on another side, you can find different kinds of handicrafts. Tabriz leather is also a famous handicraft of Tabriz which you can find its different types and brands in the bazaar. One of the main handicrafts of Tabriz is also Tabriz carpet. You can find original hand-woven carpets in Mozafarieh Timcheh. The remarkable point about this bazaar is that beside all the goods you can buy in the bazaar, it has preserved its historical, social, and architectural aspects. Because bazaar includes different parts of a city, Tabriz Historic Bazaar Complex is the fastest and the most complete bazaar of Iran. It still is the greatest trading center in Tabriz. The good point about the bazaar is that whenever you enter each store, you can still find ancient stuff there. The whole complex has an area of 51085 square meters. Bazaar of Tabriz or Tabriz Grand Bazaar is known as the world’s largest roofed bazaar. It is also the fastest and largest roofed and bricky complex in the world and RECOGNIZED BY UNESCO AS WORLD HERITAGE SITE . Due to the II, III, and IV criteria it has been registered as Historic Bazaar Complex in 2010. Between the 12th and 18th century it was a prominent international and cultural trading center. And that is only because of its location for being on the Silk Road. It is also a great example of religious, political, social, and economical complexes
Jameh Mosque of Tabriz
An Old Mansion from Seljuq Dynasty
Tabriz is one of the main cities of Iran especially the west side of Iran. It is the biggest city in north western Iran. It is the economic, industrial, cultural,and military center of north western Iran. Jameh Mosque of Tabriz is an ancient mansion that dates back to Seljuq Dynasty. In 1931, it has been registered as anational heritage site. It is in a place where is surrounded completely by Bazaar of Tabriz. Jameh Mosque of Tabriz is also known as Jomeh Mosque (Friday Mosque), Tabriz Central Mosque, and Kabiri Jameh Mosque. It is considered to be one of the oldest historical mansions in Tabriz. The construction of the mansion dates back to Seljuq era. Unfortunately, due to the earthquake in 1814, some parts of this historical mosque including some arches were destructed. But in the Qajar era,Hosein gholi Khan Donbali ordered the renovation of the mosque. In 1676, HajTaleb Khan Tabrizi the founder of Tabriz Talebie School called this mosque as“Kabir Jameh Mosque”. They were some renovations in the Qajar Era and also inrecent years by different people. Haj Mohammad Bagher Kalkate is considered asthe main founder of the Jameh Mosque of Tabriz. He has constructed a suitablelibrary specifically for religious studies. Long arches and very big bricks andthick pillars are evidence of the long history and archaism of this mansion
Blue Mosque
Turquoise of Islam
Iran has so many mosques displaying ancient Persian art and architecture. One of the historical and important mosques of Iran is the Blue Mosque. It is a rare mosque in blue. The reason it is called the Blue Mosque or Kabud Mosque is the blue tiles used in the structure. It is one of the main attractions of Tabriz. Blue Mosque or Jahanshah Mosque is one of the valuable Persian architectural masterpieces and is different from other mosques. The history of the mosque dates back to the 15th century. The various tiling works, calligraphy lines, and different patterns have concluded the fact that why it is called the Turquoise of Islam. It is also called Kabud Mosque, Shah Jahan Mosque, and Mozaffarie Mosque. Due to the 18th century earthquake, the mosque has been destructed vastly. Although these days the last vestige of the mosque is nothing but a portal and some pillars, it is a witness of the wonders of this 9th-century mosque. Based on the inscription on the portal of the mosque, the date of its construction is the 15th century. And also the mosque has been built in Abu Mozaffar Jahanshah Gharaghuiunlu governance. In 1940, the mending process for protecting the last vestiges was started. It was done in 1975. The renovation process was done by Reza Memaran. They are still working on the interior and exterior tiling works renovation
Mausoleum of Poets
Resting Place of Master Shahryar
Mausoleum of Poets is a unique monument in the beautiful city of Tabriz. This city is home to more than 400 poets; some of them are well-known, like Ostad Shahriar. The architecture of this tourist attraction is another feature that makes it special. Mausoleum of Poets or Maqbarat-o-shoara in Persian actually is a very old graveyard. But this is no ordinary graveyard. You may wonder how a cemetery can be special. Well, only classical and contemporary poets, mystics and other notable people are allowed in this place! As a corpse of course. No one exactly knows how old is this cemetery, but about the building, Tahmaseb Dolatshahi, the former Secretary of Arts and Cultures of East Azarbaijan, built Mausoleum of Poets in 1970s. Since then, there have been construction and renovation in this site such as building new symbolic buildings and sculptures. Asadi Tusi (the first poet that buried in this place) – poet, Khaqani – poet, Qatran Tabrizi – poet, Homam Tabrizi – poet, Aziz Dowlatabadi (Darvish) – poet, Aziz Khan Mokri – army general, and the last poet that buried here, Master Shahriar are some of the noble characters that rest in this place
Constitution House of Tabriz
House of Intellectual Thoughts
One beautiful and must-see museum of Eastern Azerbaijan province, Tabriz, is the Constitution House of Tabriz. Tabriz was an influential city in the Qajar era and change of the dynasty to Pahlavi. Therefore, this house has a lot to offer from those times. The very first owner of the Constitution House of Tabriz was Haj Mehdi Kooze Kanani who was a well-reputed tradesman. However, it was constructed by Haj Vali Memar in 1868. When Mohammad Ali Shah blew up the parliament, Haj Mehdi Kooze Kanani dedicated the house to constitution followers as he was one of their supporters. Hence, the house became the association of the most highlighted constitution characters in Eastern Azerbaijan. Sattar Khan, Baqer Khan, and Seghat-ol Eslam Tabrizi are some of these characters. Constitution House of Tabriz was officially established in 1996 with a change in the hall and rooms. Constitution House of Tabriz was registered in the National Heritage Sites Organization in 1975 and was bought by the Cultural Heritage Organization in 1988
Saint Mary Church of Tabriz
The Biggest and Oldest Church in Tabriz
Saint Mary Church of Tabriz is the biggest and oldest church in Tabriz. It is at least 500 years old, so it is not much of a surprise that the Christians in Tabriz have chosen this place for holding their rituals. This church is only open to Christians and if you are a non-Christian, you need to obtain a governmental written permission. The visiting time of the church is only 30 minutes and it is not limited to a particular time of day. According to the oldest gravestone, the age of Saint Mary Church of Tabriz is estimated to date back to 1600. Marco Polo has referred to this church in his book of travels when he was on his way to China. After the earthquake of Tabriz in 1782, the church had to be significantly renovated. The renovation process started in 1782 and was finished 3 years after that to look the same way as how it used to in Safavid era
El Goli Park
Symbol of Tabriz
When it comes to Tabriz attractions, El Goli Park flickers brightly. Despite the fame of the city in historical and cultural backdrops, El Goli Park has become the leading touristic pole of the city due to its natural beauties. The awesome feeling of walking in the nice and fresh coolness of the park can never be compared to any other landmarks of Tabriz. El Goli Park is facilitated with various range of entertaining equipment. Visit Tabriz and enjoy wandering in the admirable El Goli Park. It was during the reign of Aq Qoyunlu Dynasty that the construction of the pool in El Goli Park was first established. The water in the pool acted as a source for watering the gardens around the Eastern region of Tabriz. The pool was emptied of water and was filled with pebbles, sand, and the waste produced in the surrounding area during the Safavid era. Quite the contrary, much care was given to El Goli Park in Qajar era. Some routes were constructed around the pool for the ease of walking. Many trees of different kinds were also planted for the sake of beauty. The two-storey mansion was also built in the center of the pool upon the command of the ruler of the time. The municipality of Tabriz became responsible for the management of the park in the Pahlavi era to make it a recreational center for its visitors. The mansion was destructed in 1967 and got its present structure in 1970 with the contributions and investments of the Municipality of Tabriz. According to El Goli Park’s name, El means ‘people’ and Gol means ‘pool’ in Turkish language. Therefore, El Goli means a pool that belongs to people
Kandovan Village
Kandovan is an extraordinary ancient village in the province of East Azerbaijan, near the city of Tabriz, Iran. With its at least 800 years of existence. This remarkable place is inhabited by 670 people and offers scenic beauty for its travelers. From the architectural point of view, this village is interesting, as the settlements are rocky dating back to the 7th century AH or even the pre-Islamic period. These 'houses' resemble caves, being 'dug out' in the mountains and therefore are reputed worldwide. Mineral water in this area is also used for the treatment of diseases. There are various other interesting villages in the province having specific architectural features. The intriguing architecture of this village seems to defy all rules and travelers are usually fascinated by its incredible slopes and irreverent paths. Recently a hotel was built, inspired by and connected to the “style” of the village. The “Rocky Hotel” features beautiful cave interiors with very comfortable living spaces. Kandovan is a lively town comprised of hundreds of small troglodyte (caveman) caves dug into volcanic rock spires. Though it may seem a bit touristy, due to the large numbers of residents hawking their crafts to sustain themselves, it’s a great destination for a day trip if you’re staying in nearby Tabriz. Here’s how to get from Kandovan to Tabriz, for those uninterested in going as part of a tour
Arasbaran Forest
Arasbaran Forest includes a vast green area extended from Ahar City to Aras River. Having lots of rich environmental and natural sources, this forest has been inscribed on UNESCO as one of the biosphere reserves of Iran. Today, the Arasbaran region is restricted to Tabriz and Marand, from the west to Meshkin Shahr and Muqan, from the east and to Sarab, from South. UNESCO inscribed more than 72000 hectares of the region’s grounds as the biosphere reserve. Being included a wild texture and the existence of different plant and animal species in the neighborhood of the borderline between Iran, Azerbaijan, and Armenia, was of the main causes of UNESCO experts’ paying attention to Arasbaran. The weather in this region is Mediterranean and Caucasian because it is located in the Caspian weather area and the existence of mountains with approximately 2201meters height at the heart of the semi-arid plains, makes the ecosystem of this region quite unique. The economic activities such as agriculture, husbandry, gardening, handicrafts, and tourism are highly popular among the nomads and locals of this region because of the good weather. UNESCO's WORLD HERITAGE Committee has given Arasbaran Forests, an Iranian nominated property, another chance to gain a global status, providing that its dossier is properly revised and the shortcomings are addressed
WEST AZERBAIJAN PROVINCE
URMIA
West Azerbaijan province is located at northwest of Iran and is bordered by the Republic of Azerbaijan from north, Turkey from west and northwest, Iraq from west and neighbors the East Azerbaijan province from the east and Kurdistan province from south. Its center is Urmia city. Having about 1000 kilometers of main roads and highways that connect northernmost point of the province (Bazargan border) to its southernmost part (Bukan), West Azerbaijan province, has adequate ground transit accessibility. According to the archeological findings of Teppe Hasanlu and other historical discoveries, this province has more than five thousand years of history and many different people have resided in it through different periods of history. West Azerbaijan province, based on its ancient history, has many ancient monuments some of which have global significance and have been registered in the list of UNESCO WORLD HERITAGE
Lake Orumieh Or Urmia
Lake Urmia is an endorheic salt lake in Iran. The lake is between the provinces of East Azerbaijan and West Azerbaijan in Iran, and west of the southern portion of the Caspian Sea. At its greatest extent, it was the largest lake in the Middle East and the sixth-largest saltwater lake on Earth, with a surface area of approximately 5,200 km2 (2,000 sq mi), a length of 140 km (87 mi), a width of 55 km (34 mi), and a maximum depth of 16 m (52 ft). The lake has shrunk to 10% of its former size due to damming of the rivers that flow into it, and the pumping of groundwater from the surrounding area. Lake Urmia, along with its once approximately 102 islands, is protected as a national park by the Iranian Department of Environment. The lake was the center of the Mannaean Kingdom. A potential Mannaean settlement, represented by the ruin mound of Hasanlu, was on the south side of the lake. Mannae was overrun by the Matiani or Matieni, an Iranian people variously identified as Scythian, Saka, Sarmatian, or Cimmerian. It is not clear whether the lake took its name from the people or the people from the lake, but the country came to be called Matiene or Matiane, and gave the lake its Latin name
St. Mary Church – Urmia
St. Mary Church is an ancient Assyrian church located in the city of Urmia, West Azerbaijan Province, Iran. It is considered by some historians to be the second oldest church in Christendom after the Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem in the West Bank. The current old building of the church belongs to the Sasanian era and its interior design is a combination of Sasanian and Arsacid architecture. It is believed by some Assyrian and Christian historians that it had been a Fire temple at first in which Zoroastrian priests used to pray. At Jesus Christ’s time of birth, three priests observed a shining star moving toward the east. They considered it as a sign of awaited Messiah’s birth and traveled to Jerusalem to meet him. After coming back they change the fire temple to a church. A Chinese princess, who contributed to its reconstruction in 642 AD, has her name engraved on a stone on the church wall. The famous Italian traveler Marco Polo also described the church in his visit
Takht-e Soleyman
Takht-e Soleyman (also known as Azar Goshnasp Fire Temple) is the name of a large historical area near Takab and Takht-e Soleyman village (previously known as Nosratabad) located in West Azerbaijan Province, 45 kilometers northeast of Takab. Takht-e Soleyman is an ancient area consisting of some Sasanid palaces and Azar Goshnasp fire temple. Near this area, there are two other ancient complexes named Zendane-e Soleyman (Prison of Solomon) and Takht-e Bilkis. Some evidence of Medes and Schytians has been found around Zendan-e Soleyman which proves that this area dates back to 1000 years before Christ. Some historians call this area "Shiz Ancient City". Shiz has been accepted by UNESCO AS THE WORLD HERITAGE, and it is going to be reconstructed in the near future. In recent years, during research on Paleolithic Era, two ancient areas were discovered in takht-e Soleyman. Also, Chal Tappeh, the temporary residence in the Middle Paleolithic Era, and Chaqmaq Li area with some evidence of tool-making have been discovered in this area. The oldest pre-Islam discovered remains of Takht-e Soleyman WORLD HERITAGE COMPLEX belong to Paleolithic, and Chalcolithic Eras, Iron Age 1, 2, and 3, and Sasanid historical period. Although the area is called Takht-e Soleyman, it had various names such as Ganzak, Ganjeh, Ganjak, Gazka, and Shiz in the past. It was known as Takht-e Soleyman in Safavid period
Ancient Teppe Hasanlu
Ancient Tappeh Hassanlu lies in Naqadeh County green region in the southwest of Urmia Lake, West Azerbaijan Province. It is located 7 kilometers northeast of Hassanlu Rural District and that is why it is called Hassanlu Hill. This ancient area dates back to 6 thousand years BC. The most well-known ancient monument found in this area is Hassanlu Gold Cup which belongs to the Iron Age and is kept in the Ancient Iran Museum. This cup is one of the most important scientific discoveries in the history of Iran's archeology and is considered as the rarest artistic, religious and historical monuments of archeology. A variety of weapons like swords, daggers, spears, and bronze and iron bayonets, as well as pottery and different bone, stone, clay, glass, and metal objects, have been discovered in Tappeh Hassanlu. Each of these discoveries has historical, archeological, and artistic values, and they are kept in museums of ancient Iran, Azerbaijan, America, France, and other counties
Chapel of Dzordzor, Maku
Chapel of Holy Mary which is also called the Chapel of Dzordzor is one of the most visitable historical monuments in Iran. A village called Baron exists beside Baron Dam, 13 kilometers from Maku. The chapel of Holy Mary was built by Asghaf Besdachi Zakaria from 1315 until 1324. This monument is in the list of UNESCO WORLD MONUMENTS. The name of the chapel was “Chapel of Dzordzor” from the beginning and that was for the fact that it existed in a period supervised by Hovhannes Yerz, Dzordzortsy painter. The chapel is cross-shaped and is like a small praying room. This monument is made of carved stones in different sizes. The chapel façade is very simple and it is decorated by only several windows and shutters with engaged columns that end up in a pointed arch. This chapel has been displaced! It happened in 1367 and the cause was that the chapel building might have been ruined while reconstructing Maku plains. The Cultural Heritage Organization transferred the chapel to a safe place with the help of the Armenian caliphate in Azerbaijan. Transferring the chapel took 25 days and having numbered them, every single stone of the chapel was transferred to the target place as it was at the beginning. The new location was 600 meters away and on a rocky hill 110 meters higher than the primary location of the chapel. After the transference, a stone tablet was also hung on the chapel wall. This historical monument is registered in UNESCO LIST OF NATIONAL MONUMENTS