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Tabriz
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Tabriz (Azeri': ????? ; ) is the largest city in northwestern Iran. It is situated north of the volcanic cone of Sahand, south of the Eynali mountain. It is the capital of East Azarbaijan Province. Tabriz lies at the junction of the Komur River (Mehran River) and the Aji River.
With a population of 1,600,000, Tabriz is Iran's Fourth largest city, after Tehran, Mashhad and Esfahan.
founding of Tabriz is shrouded in mystery and myth.
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Encyclopedia
Tabriz (Azeri': ????? ; ) is the largest city in northwestern Iran. It is situated north of the volcanic cone of Sahand, south of the Eynali mountain. It is the capital of East Azarbaijan Province. Tabriz lies at the junction of the Komur River (Mehran River) and the Aji River.
With a population of 1,600,000, Tabriz is Iran's Fourth largest city, after Tehran, Mashhad and Esfahan.
History
Etymology
The founding of Tabriz is shrouded in mystery and myth. Various sources name the city as the possible site of the Biblical Garden of Eden.
According to some sources, including Encyclopedia Britannica, the name Tabriz derives from "tap-riz" ("causing heat to flow" in Iranian languages), from the many thermal springs in the area. Other sources claim that in A.D. 246, to avenge his brother's death, king Khosraw I of Armenia defeated Ardashir I of the Sassanid Empire and changed the name of the city from Shahistan to Tauris, deriving from "ta-vrezh" ("this revenge" in Grabar). In A.D. 297, it became the capital of Tiridates III, king of Armenia. However, this story has popular origin and no ancient source has recorded such event. This is based on accounts of Vardan, the Armenian historian in 14th century.
Medieval and renaissance history
In A.D. 791, Zubaidah, the wife of Abbasid caliph Harun al-Rashid, rebuilt Tabriz after a devastating earthquake and beautified the city so much as to obtain the credit for having been its founder.
After the Mongol invasion, Tabriz came to eclipse Maragheh as the later Ilkhanid capital of Azarbaijan until sacked by Tamerlane in 1392. Chosen as a capital by Arghun Khan, fourth ruler of the Ilkhanate, for its favored location in the northwestern grasslands, in 1295, his successor Ghazan Khan 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.
From 1375 to 1468, Tabriz was the capital of Kara Koyunlu state in Azarbaijan, and from 1469 to 1501 the capital of Ak Koyunlu state.
In 1501, Shah Ismail I entered Tabriz and proclaimed it the capital of his Safavid dynasty. In 1514, after the Battle of Chaldiran, Tabriz fell for a few months to the Ottomans, yet was returned and remained a capital of Safavid Iranian empire until 1548, when Shah Tahmasp I moved Safavid capital to Qazvin.
The Ottomans occupied Tabriz on a number of occasions during and after the Safavid reign, including the period from 1585 to 1603. Nevertheless, by the 17th century it was a major commercial center, carrying out trade with the Ottoman Empire, Russia, central Asia, and India. Later, the city was again occupied (1724) by the Ottomans, and it was held by Russia in 1828.
Contemporary history
Tabriz was the city where the Constitutional Revolution of Iran started in 1906 and where its leaders, Sattar Khan and Bagher Khan came from. An American who died defending the Constitutional Revolution, Howard Baskerville, is buried in Tabriz.
Because of the location of Tabriz (as a gate to the west for Iran), many signs of modern life in Iran have first appeared in this city. Because of this, Iranians have described Tabriz as a "City of firsts". These include:
- The first printing house of Iran was founded in Tabriz (1811).
- The first modern school of Iran was founded in Tabriz by Hassan Roshdieh (1888). The language of instruction was Persian and Azari Turkic.
- The first Iranian special school for deaf children was founded in Tabriz by Jabbar Baghcheban (1924).
- The first Iranian special school for blind students was founded in Tabriz by a German mission (1926).
- The first Iranian kindergarten was founded in Tabriz by Jabbar Baghcheban (1923).
- The first modern-style municipality and city hall in Iran were founded in Tabriz.
- Tabriz Chamber of Commerce was the first of its kind founded in Iran (1906).
- The first public libraries in modern Iran were founded in Tabriz.
- The first movie theater in Iran was founded in Tabriz (1900). Also the first movie theater in Tehran was founded by a Tabrizi (1921).
- Tabriz was the first city in Iran that got a Telephone system (about 1900).
The famous Iranian historian, Ahmad Kasravi, was born in a nearby village called Hokmavar. Samad Behrangi, a famous writer and musicians, as well as Ali Salimi, Vahid Houseini, and Bigjeh-Khani were Tar (lute) specialists from this city.
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 Tabriz was taken back by Iran (on 1947) after the forced Soviet withdrawal.
Historical timeline
- 4 BC: It is the capital of Media Atropatene ,named after Atropates, an Iranian governor of the province (appointed by Alexander the Great).
- 297 AD: It becomes the capital of Tiridates III, the king of Armenia.
- 791: Tabriz is rebuilt by Zubaidah, wife of Harun al-Rashid, after being destroyed by an earthquake.
- 858: An earthquake destroys large parts of Tabriz.
- 1041: An earthquake destroys large parts of Tabriz.
- late 1200s: The Mongol Il-Khan Arghun makes Tabriz his capital.
- 1501: Ismail Safavi crowned as Shah in Tabriz, founding the Safavid dynasty
- 1548: Tabriz is replaced by Qazvin as the capital of the Safavid kingdom. Tabriz was considered too 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: Qajar army enters back in Tabriz.
- 1850: Báb, the founder of the Bábí Faith and Forerunner of Bahá'u'lláh is executed in Tabriz.
- 1906 - 1908: Tabriz becomes the centre of the Iranian Constitutional Revolution.
- 1927: An earthquake destroyed large parts of Tabriz.
- 1941: Tabriz occupied by the Soviet troops.
- 1945: December: Becomes the capital of a short-lived Soviet-backed autonomous 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. Analysis according to Carbon 14 method by Allameh Tabatabi University has shown that the background of the graves to be more than 3800 years old.
There is another excavation site in Abbasi alley where the Rab'e Rashidi was.
Governing system
City authority lies with the mayor, who is elected by a municipal board. The municipal board is periodically elected by the city residents.
Tabriz City Hall (Saat Tower building) is used as the Municipal central office.
Geography and Climate
The city is located in northwest of Iran in East Azerbaijan province.It has built between Eynali and Sahand mountains beside Aji chay and Guri chay, on the lands suitable for agriculture.
Tabriz has a dry continental climate (Köppen BSk). The annual precipitation is around , a good deal of which falls as snow during the winter months. In limited weeks of the summer, the weather is typically hot, dry and clear.
Suburbs of Tabriz
Ahrab, Amirkhiz, Bahar, Baghmisheh, Bagh Shoumal, Dash Magazalar (stonework shops), Baron Avak (Barnava), Bazar, Charandab, Devechi, Elahiyeh, Emamiyeh, Farhanghiyan, Ferdows, Golbad, Golpark, Golshahr, Hokm Abad, Kouche Bagh, Khatib, Laklar, Laleh, Manzariyeh, Maqsoudiyeh, Maralan, Mansoor, Qara(Gara) Aghach, Qara (Gara) Malek, Roshdiyeh, Sahand, Selab, Shanb Qazan, Shahgholi, Sheshghelan, Sorkhab (Sirkhab), Tepeli Bagh, Valiasr, Zaferaniyeh.
Culture
Language
The predominant language in the city is Azerbaijani Turkic which is belong to Altaic language family. Almost all inhabitants of the city also can speak and understand Persian as well.
Religion
More than 99 percent of population of Tabriz are shia Muslims, but there are also some Armenian and Assyrian Christians living in Tabriz.
Literature
The music and folk songs of Tabriz are popular and traditions have a long history among its people. Prominent Iranian Azeri poet Mohammad Hossein Shahriar was born in Tabriz. The handicrafts in the Bazaar of Tabriz, and in particular the Tabriz rug is famous worldwide. 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:
??????? ??? ???? ? ??????
??? ????? ??? ? ??? ??????
Oh Sarban, have camels' cargo unloaded,
For Tabriz is neighborhood of the beloved.
?Molana
????? ?? ????? ????? ???
?? ?????? ????? ? ????? ???
A beloved lived in Tabriz away from sight,
who was always alert and awake at night
?Bustan of Sadi
?? ?? ?????? ?? ???? ???? ???
??? ??? ? ?? ????? ??? ? ??
As long as I live in Tabriz, two things I need not worry of,
The half loaf of bread and the water of Mehranrud [river] are enough!
?Khaqani
??? ??? ???? ??? ????? ???
??????? ????? ????? ??
This is the tall Arg of Tabriz City,
Raised it's outstanding height there!
?Maftun
Music
The classical music of Azerbaijan is called mugam ("mugam"), and is usually melded with poetry and instrumental interludes. The sung poetry sometimes includes tahrir segments, which use a form of throat singing similar to yodeling. The poetry is normally related to real life motives, mythologic heros, and divine love and is often linked to Sufi Islam.
In contrast to the mugam traditions of Central Asian countries, Azeri mugam is more free-form and less rigid; it is often compared to the improvised field of jazz.[2]
UNESCO proclaimed the Azerbaijani mugam tradition a "Masterpiece of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity" on November 7, 2003.
Ashiqs are travelling bards who sing and play the saz or qopuz, a form of lute. Their songs are semi-improvised around a common base.
Art of Rug
Tabriz is the number one center for production of the famous Iranian Rugs.
Nowaday Tabrizian carpets are the most wanted in world markets, having many customers in western countries from Europe to California.
Tabrizian rugs and carpets usually have ivory backgrounds with blue, rose, and indigo motifs. Rugs and carpets often have very symmetrical and balanced designs. They usually have a single medallion that is surrounded with vines and palmettos and are of excellent quality.
Tabrizian modern rugs are in many different designs and colors.
One of the main quality characteristics of Tabriz Rugs are the way of weaving, using special ties that guaranties the durability of the rug in comparison for example with Kashan Rugs.
Cuisine
kufta Tabrizi (Azeri:Tabriz kufta si) is a special food prepared in Tabriz. Some restaurants offer kufta Tabrizi on their menu but the quality is not as good as when it is prepared by Tabriz families at home.
Another traditional food is "Garniyarikh' ("the torn abdomen" in Azeri).That is some kind of Dolma that is filled with meat, garlic, almonds that is so delicious.
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.
Tourism
Monuments and Landmarks
Several times in its history (e.g., in 858, 1041, and 1721), Tabriz was devastated by earthquakes which wiped out most of the historic monuments. 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 (???? ???? Göy-Masjid) is another important monument in the city. Here is a list of city's monuments:
- Bridges
- Aji River Bridge, an old bridge on the Aji River, beside the airport street
- Ghari Bridge, Historical Bridges on the Meydan chuy
- Hamams (Turkish bath)
- Nobar Hamami
- Ferdowsi Hamami
- Historic Houses
- The Amir Nezam House
- The Behnam House (School of Architecture, Islamic Art University of Tabriz)
- The Boulourchian House
- The Mashrouteh House (house of constitutional revolution)
- The House of Sheykh-al-Islam
- The Sharbatoglu House , Seqat ol eslam street ,Sorkhab alley no 62.
- The Ghadaki House
- Monuments
- Mosques and Churches
- Armenian church of Adontist
- Armenian church of Saint Mary
- Assyrian church of Tabriz
- Catholic church of Tabriz
- Göy Masjid (Blue Mosque)
- Jameh Mosque of Tabriz, located at raste-koucheh
- Saheb ol Amr
- Shohada Mosque
*Museums
- Museum of Azarbaijan in Khomeyni Street
- Museum of Qajar in Sheshghelan Quarter
- Shahryar Literature Museum (House of Late Poet Shahryar) in Maqsoudieh Quarter
- Museum of Ostad Bohtouni in Maqbarat-ol-Shoarapark
- Measurement Museum
- Museum of Nature in Azadi Street near to Abresan Intersection
- Museum of Iran municipalities history in Saat Tower (municipality of Tabriz)
- Parks
- Bagh Golestan (Golestan park)
- Baghlar Baghi park
- Shah Gholi park
- Bagh Shams Tabrizi
- Bagh Saeb Tabrizi
- Banovan (women) park
- Mosafer (Travellers) park
- Khagani park
- Shrines and Tombs
- Boq'e Imamzade Ibrahim
- Maqbaratoshoara (Tomb of Poets)
- Seyed Hamzeh Grave
- Shrine of On ibn Ali
- Tomb of Two Kamals, Abrassan street
Souvenirs
Handcrafts:
- Rug
- Pottery
- Ceramics
- Silverware
- Wood engraving
Confections:
Dry Nut,
Shoe,
Local clothes,
Spices.
Hotels
- (International, 5 star), Shah Goli park
- (5 star), Shah Gholi road
- Hotel Gostaresh (4 star), Abrassan intersection
- (4 star ), Daneshgah Sq.
- Hotel Azarbaijan, Shahnaz Street
- Hotel Ark, Shahnaz Street, Ark Alley
- Hotel Darya (3 star), Khomeyni Street
- Hotel Park, Khomeyni Street
- Hotel Sina, Gunga Bashi
- Hotel Negin
- Kandovan Tourism Cliff (Rocky) Hotel (5 star), located at Kandovan touristy village. It is the first of its kind in Iran and the second in the world after Turkey's rocky hotel.
And lots of hostels (low cost) in Ferdowsi Street
Closeby Tourist Attractions
- Basmenj (Vasmish)village famous for its gherkin,
- Liqvan village famous for its cheese,
- Herbi and Bera villages
- Kerghe village
- Seydava village
- Ammand lake
- Quru(Ghuri)Göl lake
- kandovan village famous for its strange architecture
- Yam ski complex
- Sharaf khaneh village near Urmiya lake
- Sahand ski complex near Sahand mountains
Transportation
Since ancient times Tabriz has been known as a transportation center between west and east. It lies on the ancient Silk Road.
International
Tabriz is linked to Europe through Turkey's roads and Bazargan ((Azerbaijani, Persian: ??????? ) Border, also Tehran-Tabriz highway mostly has completed except the last part between Tabriz and Bostan Abad for about 60 km. Tabiz is linked to other cities of Iran by 3 main roads at the east, northwest and southwest of the city.
The city is linked to Iran National Railways (IRIR,Persian: ??? ) also to Europe by Turkey's railways via Ghotour (Azerbaijani, Persian ???? ) bridge in West Azarbaijan province of Iran. Tabriz is the first city in Iran that railways has established in. Tabriz-Jolfa railway is the first railway in Iran. Tabriz Railway station is located in the west part of the city at the end of Khomeyni street.
Tabriz International Airport is the only international airport in East Azarbaijan province of Iran has established in 1950. At first, the airport just has handled domestic flights but since 1991 it has changed to international airport and works open sky (which means 24 hours a day 7 days a week). Recently, it has gained standard of ISO9001-2000 as the first airport in Iran.
Its international air routes are to the following cities:
And domestic air routs to:Tehran, Mashhad, Kish, Bandar Abbas, Mahshahr, Asalouyeh, Isfahan, Ahvaz, Shiraz, Rasht.
There is private taxi services available in airport to the city.
Inner City
Tabriz has taxi and public bus network. There are also some private groups which provide services called Phone-taxi.
- Metro Network (Subway Train Network)
Tabriz subway train network is under construction and has not completed yet. The government of Iran had planned to finish 6 km of line No.1 of subway network in 2006 but they could not reach to this goal because of financial problems.
Education
Universities, Higher Education Institutes , Research Centres
A list of the universities and research centers in the city follows:
Famous High Schools
- Mansoor High School (Now divided into 2 high schools with new names) is one of the most highest ranking schools in Tabriz which was established about 50 years ago. One of the high schools is named as Taleqani and the other as Motahhari.
- 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's name was changed to Parvin High School under Iran education ministry's management. Currently it is divided into three separate high schools and the original building is under reconstruction.
- 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 German Language).
- Ferdowsi High School is one of the largest and most prominent academic high schools in Tabriz. The original building was constructed by German Engineers before World War II (to serve as Hospital). The building has an aerial view as H.
- Teezhoushan School(Shahid Madani)(Farzanegan) (SAMPAD/NODET) middle and high schools established in 1989 for high I.Q talented students.
Religious schools
- Valiiasr religious school
- Talebiieh Islamic Sciences School
Libraries
- Tabriz National Library ( Central Library of Tabriz ) was the biggest library in Tabriz. It has been reconstructed during last decade. It has numerous pieces of hand written Iranian literature.
- Library of Farhangsara Tabriz.
- Library of Shahid Motahhari.
Economy
Industries
Tabriz is one of Iran's most important industrial cities. Its products include cement, machine tools, vehicles, chemicals and petrochemical, refinery, and many other industrial products. Some of the major industrial complexes in the city are listed below:
- , Producer of machine tools
- , Producer of various types of vehicles
- , One of main pertrochemical companies in the country
- , The main oil refinery in the north west of country
- , It is a branch of Iran Khodro Indistrial Group, producer of a variety cars
- , Producer of various types of heavy vehicles and cars
- , The leading manufacturer of diesel engines in middle east
- , The leading manufacturer of different types of auto gearbox in Iran
- , The leading manufacturer of different type of electromotors in Iran
- , Manufacturer of different type of Forklift Trucks
- , Manufacturer of various water pumps
- Azarbaijan Glass industrial Company, Producer of any kind of standard glasses
- , Producer of power wire and cables
-
- , Cement supplier of civil projects in Northwest of Iran with highest quality in Cement producing.
- , first and the largest producer of various types of Air Compressors and Pneumatic tools
- , Mnaufacturer of medical infusion sets.
- , developer and producer of a wide range of high quality finished products , especially pharmaceutical raw materials such as oral and parentral antibiotics raw materials.
- , Company is one of the largest Iranian producers in this field and has production lines for tablet, capsule, vial, drop, syrup and a special line for soft gel capsules, which is unique in the Middle East region.
Tabriz food industries, including dairy factories and chocolate manufacturing, are famous. That could be the reason to honor the city as Chocolate City of Iran. Some of the most famous chocolate industries are:
Small businesses
- Shoe ateliers
- Stonecutting
- Furniture ateliers
- Confectionary and Drynuts
Handcrafts ateliers
- Rug
- Silverwares
- Wood engraving
- Pottery and Ceramics
Tabriz International Exhibition
Tabriz has annual international exhibitions at different times of a year that companies from all around the world bring their products.
For more information go to: http://www.tabrizfair.ir/
Sport
Soccer
- Soccer teams:Tabrizian people are fans of soccer. The city is the site of four Iranian major soccer teams:
- Machine Sazi F.C.
- Iranian Tractor Manufacturing Co F.C. (ITMCO)
- Shahrdari Tabriz F.C.
- Tabriz Petrochemical Complex F.C.
- Stadiums:Tabriz also has two stadiums for soccer:
- Bagh Shomal Stadium, with 20,000 Capacity
- Yadegar-e-Emam Stadium with 71,000 Capacity
Swimming Pools
Tabriz has some swimming pools that mostly are a part of sport complex, mostly governmental some private. Here is the most famous ones:
- Takhti swimming pool
- Petrochemistry complex swimming pool
- Bargh swimming pool
- Sahand swimming pool
- Sauna Tabriz
- Bagh Shomal swimming pool
- kargaran complex swimming pool
- Hotel Elgoli (Pars) swimming pool
Media
Television
Tabriz has one television Channel Called "Sahand" broadcasts in Both Persian and Azerbaijani languages and is ruled by Iranian government.
Persian site for Sahand Channel: http://tabriz.irib.ir/
Radio
Tabriz has one radio Channel broadcasts in Both Persian and Azerbaijani languages and is ruled by Iranian government.
Newspapers and Magazines
There is 5 newspapers and 14 weekly magazines are published in Tabriz:
Newspapers:
- Amin
- Asr Azadi http://www.asreazadi.com
- Mahd Azadi
- Fajr Azarbaijan
- Saheb
Notable people
Sufi
Politicians and reformists
- Sattar khan, Nationalist revolutionary leader
- Baqer khan, Nationalist revolutionary leader
- Mohammad Khiabani, Cleric, Political leader during Iran's constitution revolution
- Hasan Taqizadeh, Politician (former President of the Iranian Senate), Diplomat and Scholar.
- Ahmad Kasravi, Politician and author
- Iraj Mirza, Poet, Politician
- Mirza Abdul'Rahim Talibov Tabrizi, Intellectual and social reformer.
- Ali Soheili, Former Prime Minister of Iran
- Ebrahim Hakimi, Former Prime Minister of Iran
- Mahmud Jam, Former Prime Minister of Iran
- Farah Pahlavi, The last queen consort of Iran.
Poets and writers
- Qatran Tabrizi, poet
- Homam Tabrizi, poet
- Parvin E'tesami, poet
- Mohammad Hoseyn Behjat Tabrizi (Shahriyar), poet
- Mirza Taqikhan Raf'at Tabrizi, poet, writer, funder of Raf'at Literary School
- Irajmirza, poet
- Sahand Gharachorlu, poet
- Yadollah Maftun Amini, poet
- Abu'l Majd Tabrizi, compiler of Safina-yi Tabriz and also a writer
- Samad Behrangi, Famous Children's books writer
- Reza Baraheni, novelist, poet, critic and political activist
- Gholamhossein Saedi, writer, novelist, and political activist
- Naser Merqati, Poet, writer,
- Fariba Vafi, novelist
- Jabbar Baghcheban, Writer, teacher
Scientists
Clergymen
- Allameh Tabatabaei, one of the most prominent thinkers of contemporary Shia Islam
- Allameh Mohammad Taghi Jafari, philosopher , thinker
Artists
- Ali Salimi Alud, musician, Conductor of the Province TV Orchestra
- Farhad Fakhredini, musician, Conductor of National Orchestra
- Kamal Tabrizi, movie producer
- Tahmineh Milani, film director, screenwriter, and producer
- Resam Arjangi, painter
- Behrouz Jamali, musician
Sport persons
For a complete list see: List of people from Tabriz
Photo Gallery of Tabriz
For More Photos Go To:Tabriz City Photo Gallery.
Sister cities
The following is a list of Tabriz's sister cities:
Baku, Azerbaijan
Istanbul, Turkey
Kazan, Russia
Gaza, Palestine
Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
External links
- Bahram Moshiri's brief talk on Azarbaijan. .
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