Tabriz City Hall, built in 1934, by ''Arfa'ol molk'', with the aid of German engineers.
'Tabriz' (
Persian and
Azeri: تبریز ''Təbriz''
Armenian: Թավրիզ) is the largest city in north-western
Iran with a population of 1,523,085 people (2006 est.).
[1] Tabriz is situated north of the volcanic cone of
Sahand south of the
Eynali mountain. It is the capital of
East Azarbaijan Province.
Historically, the founding of the city is shrouded in mystery. Most sources mention the
Sassanid era, while others believe it to be even further back in history. The present-day city has been built and rebuilt on the site of the ancient settlement of
Tauris, which prospered as a trade center and was the capital of
Armenia in the 3rd century.
[1] After the Mongol invasion of Iran, Tabriz became the capital of the
Ilkhanate empire from about
1270 to
1305, of the
Aq Quyunlu dynasty from about
1469 to about
1502, and of the
Safavids from
1502-
1548. It also fell under Ottoman rule for some time during the time of the Safavids.
In his book ''Legend: The Genesis of Civilisation'' the
British Egyptologist and
historian David Rohl suggests that the Biblical
Garden of Eden was situated here.
[2]
Violent earthquakes have wiped out most of the historic monuments of Tabriz. One important monument that has survived these earthquakes is the Tabriz Citadel (
Ark-e Tabriz or Ark-e Alishah), a ruin of vertical book-shaped elements.
The Blue Mosque of Tabriz ('مسجد کبود' ''Gouy-Masjed'') is another important monument in the city.
Tabriz is where the
constitutionalists of
Iran were centered during the early 20th century. An American who died defending the Constitutional Revolution,
Howard Baskerville, is buried in Tabriz. The famous Iranian historian and philosopher,
Ahmad Kasravi, was born in a nearby village called
Hokmavar.
Samad Behrangi, a famous writer and musicians, along with
Ali Salimi,
Vahid Houseini, and
Bigjeh-Khani were
tar specialists from this city.
Daytime temperatures usually reach at least 30 degrees
Celsius (high 80s
Fahrenheit) in July and August and drop below freezing in January.
History
Etymology
The origin of the name "Tabriz" is debated. Some say Armenian, and some Assyrian.
hence "fever-destroying," is erroneous and was invented in modern times. It is related that Zobeideh, the wife of Harun-al-Rashid, founded the town in 791 after recovering there from fever, but the earlier chronicles give no support to this statement, and it is nowhere recorded that Zobeideh ever visited
Azerbaijan, and the name Tabriz was known many centuries before her time. In 1842 Hammer-Purgstall correctly explained the name as meaning the "warm-flowing" (tab= warm, same root as tep in "tepid") from some warm mineral springs in the neighbourhood, and compared it with the synonymous Teplitz in Bohemia. In old Armenian histories the name is Tavresh, which means the same. The popular pronunciation to and tau for tab has given rise to the spellings Toris and Tauris met with in older travellers and used even now. The name of the town's origin is believed to date back to distant antiquity, perhaps even before the Sassanian era (224 - 651 A.D.). The oldest stone tablet with a reference to Tabriz is that of Sargon the second, the Assyrian King. The tablet refers to a place called Tauri Castle and Tarmkis. The historians believe this castle was situated on the site of the present day Tabriz. It was the capital of Azarbaijan in the 3rd century A.D. and again under the Mongol Ilkhanid dynasty (1256 - 1353)
During mid-third century it is believed by some to have been called "Ta-e-Vrezh", which meant "This is revenge". Some say it was given that name by King Chrosroes I of the Armenians, who sacked the town near the middle of the third century.
[2]
Brief History
Historically, much of the city's importance has resulted from its strategic position for trade to the north (now the
Commonwealth of Independent States) and to the west (now
Turkey). It was sacked by the
Oghuz Turks in
1029, but by
1054 Tabriz had recovered and was a provincial capital.
In
1295,
Ghazan Khan, the
Mongol ruler of
Persia, made it the chief administrative center of an empire stretching from
Egypt to the
Oxus River and from the
Caucasus to the
Indian Ocean. Under his rule new
walls were built around the city, and numerous public buildings, educational facilities, and caravansaries were erected. The
Byzantine Gregory Choniades is said to have served as the city's
Orthodox bishop during this time.
Tabriz was captured by
Timur in the late 14th century. Later
Shah Ismail made it the capital of his empire from
1501 until his defeat in
1514 by the
Ottoman Turks. The Ottomans occupied Tabriz on a number of occasions thereafter, including the period from 1585 to 1603. Nevertheless, by the
17th century it was a major commercial center, carrying on trade with Turkey,
Russia,
central Asia, and
India. Later, the city was again occupied (1724) by the Ottomans, and it was held by Russia in
1828. Tabriz played an important part in the Persian constitutional movement at the beginning of the 20th century. After World War II, the Soviets set up the communist
Azerbaijan People's Government in North Western Iran with its capital at Tabriz. The new communist government, under the leadership of
Jafar Pishevari, held power for a year from
1946, then was retaken by Iran (on
1947) after the forced Soviet withdrawal. The city has often been devastated by
earthquakes (e.g., in 858, 1041, and 1721).
Constitutionalists of Tabriz The two men in the center are Sattar Khan & Bagher Khan
Historical Timeline
Tabriz has been settled since ancient times.
★ 4th century BCE: It is the capital of Atropatene, named after
Iranian governor of the province (appointed by
Alexander the Great).
★ 3rd century: It becomes the capital of Armenia.
★ 791: Tabriz is rebuilt after being destroyed by an earthquake.
★ 858: An earthquake destroys large parts of Tabriz.
★ 1041: An earthquake destroys large parts of Tabriz.
★ 1296: The Mongol Il-Khan Mahmud Ghazan makes Tabriz his capital.
★ 1548: Tabriz is replaced by
Qazvin as the capital of the Safavid kingdom. Tabriz was considered to exposed to a potential Ottoman invasion.
★ 1721: An earthquake destroys large parts of Tabriz.
★ 1780: Another earthquake destroys large parts of Tabriz.
★ 1826: Tabriz is occupied by the Russians.
★ 1828: Iranian troops take back Tabriz.
★ 1850: The
Báb, Founder of the Bábí Faith and Forerunner of
Bahá'u'lláh is executed in Tabriz.
★ 1908: Tabriz becomes the centre of the
Iranian Constitutional Revolution.
★ 1927: An earthquake destroys large parts of Tabriz.
★ 1941: Tabriz occupied by the Soviets.
★ 1945: December: Becomes the capital of the short lived, Soviet backed,
Azerbaijan People's Government.
★ 1946: Tabriz University is opened.
★ 1947: Iranian troops take back Tabriz.
Excavation Sites
In 2002, during a construction project behind the
Blue Mosque (Part of Silk Road Project), historical graves buried in a special way have been found. The construction company had hidden the finding for several months. Finally, the site was revealed by one of the workers who was involved at the construction site. Analyses has shown that the background of the graves to be more than 2000 years old.
Damaged Historical Sites
There are nomerious historical sites inside Tabriz that were damaged by natural disasters or by human hand. Some of the most famous samples sites are listed below:
★ There were some hills that have constructed with the ashes produced by Zardostans before Islam. They have remained up to just few years before revolution on 1979. They have destroyed before revolution during an agricaltural development project.
★ Large parts of Tabriz Ark Castel, whole of Tabriz National Library Building and whole of Tabriz City Theater Hall, has been damaged for making new Friday Mosque (1981).
★ Shanb Ghazan Building (Palace of Mongol Kings), Damaged by Tabriz Municipality before revolution (1979).
★ Tabriz City Gates, 3 of 4 main entrance gates damaged by Tabriz Municipality before revolution (1979), Currently one of them exist behind Ghari Bridge.
★ Shahgoli Palace building has been reconstructed completely by City Municipality.
★ Blue Mosque Building has been damaged completely by earthquake (currently, it has been reconstructed as its first shape) on 1780.
★ Bagh-e Shomal Palace has been damaged completely by City Municipality.
The City of Firsts
Because of Tabriz location (as Gate of West for Iran), many signs of modern life in Iran had been appeared for the first time in this city. Based on this phenomenon many of Tabrizis believe that Tabriz is the city of first modern life in Iran. There is also a book published in this matter by Samad Sardarnia including the first innovations that takes place for first time inside Tabriz. Lists of most important of them are listed in
Tabriz City of Firsts.
Culture
A sample of Tabriz rugs
The language in the city is
Azarbaijani, although almost all inhabitants of the city can speak
Persian as well. The music and folksongs of Tabriz are popular and traditions have a long history among its people. The handicrafts in the
Bazaar of Tabriz, and in particular the
Tabriz rug is famous world-wide. The culture, social values, language and the music is a mixture of what exists in rest of Iran as well as the.
Tabriz also has a special place in
Persian literature, as the following sample of verses from some of
Iran's best poets and authors illustrates:
ساربانا بار بگشا ز اشتران
شهر تبريز است و کوی دلبران
Oh Sārbān, have camels' cargo unloaded,
For Tabriz is neighborhood of the beloved.
―''
Molana''
عزیزی در اقصای تبریز بود
که همواره بیدار و شبخیز بود
A beloved lived in Tabriz away from sight,
who was always alert and awake at night
―''
Bustan of Sadi''
تا به تبریزم دو چیزم حاصل است
نیم نان و آب مهران رود و بس
As long as I live in Tabriz, two things I need not worry of,
The half loaf of bread and the water of Mehran-rud are enough!
―''
Khaqani''
Governing system
The city's most responsible person is mayor who is elected by municipal board of the city. According to the Iranian laws the municipal board is periodically elected by the city residents.
Tabriz City Hall (Saat Tower building) is used as the Municipal central office.
Here is the
List of Tabriz Mayors.
Museums
Azarbaijan Museum, Tabriz
★
Museum of Azarbaijan in Khomeyni Street
★
Measurement Museum
★
Tabriz Constitution House (Museum of Constitution Revolution) in Bazaar
★
Shahryar Literature Museum (House of Late Poet Shahryar) in Maqsoudieh Quarter
★
Museum of Ostad Bohtouni in Laklar Quarter
★
Museum of Qajar in Sheshgelan Quarter
Education
Universities
Tabriz University's clock tower.
is one of Iran's most prestigious schools of higher education. A list of the universities in the city follows:
#
Sahand University of Technology(WebSite)
#
Tabriz University of Medical Sciences(WebSite)
#
Tabriz University of Tarbiat Moallem
#
University of Tabriz (
website)
#
Islamic Azad University of Tabriz
#
Tabriz Islamic Arts University
#
University College of Nabi Akram
# Payam Noor University of Tabriz
Famous Schools
Roshdiye School Building.
'Roshdieh School' is the first modern Iranian school which was established by
Haj-Mirza Hassan Roshdieh. Currently its building is used as the Tabriz branch of the National Iranian Documents and Library Office.
'Memorial School' (
American School of Tabriz) was opened on 1891 and is one of the most famous schools of its type. After World War II the school is changed to Parvin High School under Iran education ministry's management. Currently it is divided into three separate high schools.
'Vahdat Technical College' is another famous school in Tabriz. It was developed by the Germans during World War II. The main building has the shape of an ''A'' (the first letter of Germany in Germanina Language).
Library
Tabriz National Library was the biggest library in Tabriz. It has been reconstructed during last decade. It has numerous pieces of hand written Iranian literature.
Tarbiat Library
Major Industries
Heavy Industries
Tabriz is one of Iran's most important industrial cities. Its products include cement, machine tools, vehicles, petrochemical and many other industrial products. Some of the major industrial complexes in the city are listed below:
★
Machine Sazi-e-Tabriz, producer of machine tools
★
Iran Tractor Manufacturer Company (ITMCO), producer of various types of vehicles
★
Tabriz Petrochemical Complex
★ Tabriz Oil Refinery Complex
Major Chocolate Factories
Tabriz food industries, specially in chocolate manufacturing, are famous. That is the reason for honoring the city as Chocolate City of Iran. Some of the most famous chocolate industries of inside the city are:
★
Aidin (Dadash Baradar Co.)
★
ANATA (Nejati Industrial Group)
★
Shirin Asal co.
★
Chichak (Iran chocolate Co.)
★
Aysuda (Shokouh Shad Shanjan Co.)
Sport
Tabrizi people are fans of soccer. The city is the site of three Iranian major soccer teams:
★ Mashin Sazi
★
Teraktor Sazi
★ Shahrdari
Tabriz also has two stadiums for soccer:
★
Takhti Stadium (Baghe Shomal), with 20,000 Capacity
★
Yadegare Imam Stadium with 70,000 Capacity
Major Hotels
A view of Tabriz Hotel Pars.
★
Hotel Pars in Shah Goli
★ Hotel Gostaresh in Abresan Sq.
★ Hotel Tabriz ( International )in Daneshgah Sq.
★ Hotel Azerbaijan in Shahnaz Street
★ Hotel Ark in Shahnaz Street
★ Hotel Darya in Khomeyni Street
★ Hotel Park in Khomeyni Street
★ and many old hotels in Ferdowsi Street
Special Food
Sample of Tabrizi traditional food. Shown here: ''Kufteh Tabrizi''.
''Kufteh Tabrizi'' is a special food prepared in Tabriz. Some restaurants offer Kufteh Tabrizi on their menu but the quality is not as good as when it is prepared by Tabriz families at home.
Tabriz is also famous for its delicious cookies, some of which are Tabriz specialities, including ''Ghorabiye, Eris, Nogha'' and many others. They can be bought at markets: the most famous markets for this purpose are ''Rex'' (in Imam Ave near to Ferdowsi Ave.), ''Tashrifat'' (Abrassan Sq.), ''Karimi'' (Valieasr) and ''Eftekhari'' (Mansour alley).
Transportation
A boulevard in Tabriz.
From ancient times Tabriz was known as a transportation center between West and East. Also, it was located on the ancient
Silk Road.
International and Intercity
Currently Tabriz is linked to the world by Sento International Road, Iran Railway and
Tabriz International Airport.
Inside City
Tabriz has general bus and taxi systems. There are also some private groups who serves as Tele Taxi's. Currently Tabriz metro and tramway system is under construction.
Famous Tabrizians
★
Shams Tabrizi, Sufi mystic
★
Qatran Tabrizi, poet
★
Sattar khan, nationalist revolutionary leader
★
Baqer khan, nationalist revolutionary leader
★
Seghatoleslam, Nationalist cleric
★
Mohammad Khiabani, cleric, a political leader during Iran's constitutionalist revolution
★
Seyed Hamzeh, revolutionary leader
★
Iraj Mirza, poet and famous politician
★
Parvin E'tesami, poetess
★
Mohammad Hoseyn Behjat Tabrizi (Shahriyar), poet
★
Samad Behrangi, Famous Children's books writer
★
Farzad Nami & Farhad Nami, researchers, writers and poets
★
Hasan Taqizadeh, Politician (former President of the Iranian Senate), Diplomat and Scholar.
★
Colonel Pesian, military leader
★
Ahmad Kasravi, politician and author
★
Jafar Pishevari, Azerbayjan autonumus government chairman
★
Ali Soheili, Prime Minister of Iran
★
Ebrahim Hakimi,
Prime Minister of
Iran
★
Mahmud Jam,
Prime Minister of
Iran
★
Mir-Hossein Mousavi, the last
Prime Minister of
Iran, from Khameneh, a suburb of Tabriz
★
Kamal Tabrizi, movie producer
★
Karim Bagheri, footballist
for a complete list:
Tabrizis.
Tabriz Monuments
★
Ark-e Tabriz
★
Shrine in Eynali Mountain
★
Grand Bazaar of Tabriz
★
Shah Gholi (Pool Of King)
★
Goy Masjid (Blue Mosque)
★
Saheb ol Amr
★
The Amir Nezam House
★
The Behnam House (School of Architecture,
Islamic Art University of Tabriz)
★
Charm Sazi-e Khosravi (Faculty of Applied Arts)
★
Seyed Hamzeh Grave
★
Maqbaratoshoara (Tumb of Poets)
★
Saat Tower (Tabriz City Hall)
★
Tabriz Fire Fighting Tower
★
Tabriz Railway Station
★
Tarbiyat street
★
Bagh Golestan park
★
Ghari Bridge, 2 Historical Bridges on Mehran Rud
★
House of Mashrouteh (constitution)
★
House of Bolourchian
★
Kandovan Touristy Village
★
Arasbaran forests
Gallery
For a more extensive photo gallery of Tabriz see
Tabriz City Photo Gallery.
Notes
1. "Tabrīz." Microsoft Encarta 2007 [DVD]. Redmond, WA: Microsoft Corporation, 2006.
2. West of the Indus - Page 416
References
★ North, S.J.R., Guide to Biblical Iran, Rome 1956, p. 50
★ http://www.iranchamber.com
★
Editorial Board, East Azerbaijan Geography, Iranian Ministry of Education, 2000 (High School Text Book in Persian)
External links
★
Tabriz Historical Buildings Virtual Library - Related to Tabriz University
★
East Azerbaijan branch of ITTO.
★
Tabriz Information
★
Tabriz Culture & Information Center
★
Tabriz City
★
Tabriz from Encyclopaedia of the Orient
★
Tabriz Municipal Office
★
tabrizinfo.com
★
Tabriz Municipality News Agency
★
Tabriz Metro
★
Hundreds of Tabriz Pictures
★
Bahram Moshiri's brief talk on Azarbaijan.
[3].
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