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Ardabil اردبیل
City
Skyline of the city, Sheikh Safi al-Din Khānegāh and Shrine Ensemble, Statue of Shah Ismail I, Tomb of Shaykh Aminuddin Gabriel, Shorabil Lake, Haft Cheshmeh Bridge, Ardabil Bazaar
Seal
Nickname: دارالملک، دارالامان
Ardabil
Coordinates: 38°15′06″N 48°17′51″E / 38.25167°N 48.29750°E / 38.25167; 48.29750
Country	Iran
Region	3
Province	Ardabil
County	Ardabil
District	Central
Government
• Mayor	Mahmoud Safari
Area
• Total	18.011 km (6.954 sq mi)
Elevation	1,351 m (4,432 ft)
Population
• Total	529,374
• Density	29,000/km (76,000/sq mi)
• Rank	16th in Iran
Demonym	Ardabili
Time zone	UTC+3:30 (IRST)
Postal code	56131-56491
Area code	(+98) 45
Website	ardabilcity.ir

Ardabil (Persian: اردبیل; pronunciation, Azer: Ərdəbil) is a city in northwestern Iran. It is in the Central District of Ardabil County, Ardabil province, Iran, serving as capital of the province, the county, and the district. The official language is Persian like the rest of Iran and the majority language is Azerbaijani.

As of the 2022 census, Ardabil's population was 588,000. The population of Ardabil County is about 650,000 with the majority Shia Muslim.

Ardabil is known for its trade in silk and carpets. Ardabil rugs are renowned and the ancient Ardabil carpets are considered among the best of classical Persian carpets. Ardabil is also home to a UNESCO World Heritage Site, Sheikh Safi al-Din Khānegāh and Shrine Ensemble, the sanctuary and tomb of Shaikh Safî ad-Dîn, and the tomb of Ismail I, founder of the Safavid Empire.

Etymology

The name Ardabil comes from the Avestan artavil or artawila which means "holy place".

History

The pre-Islamic history of Ardabil is vague. Muslim historians attribute the foundation of Ardabil to the Sasanian King of Kings Peroz I (r. 459–484), who named it Shad Peroz or Shahram Peroz. The city may have corresponded to the Sasanian mint city known in Middle Persian as ATRA, albeit this remains uncertain. During the Arab conquest of Iran, Ardabil was the seat of a marzban (margrave), who agreed to surrender to the Arabs in return for permitting the people of Ardabil to continue their religious observances at the fire temple of Shiz (present-day Takht-e Solayman).

Due to being near the Caucasus, Ardabil was always susceptible to attacks by the Caucasian hill peoples as well as by the inhabitants of the steppes of Northern Caucasus. In 730–731, the Khazars passed through the Alan Gates, and defeated and killed the Arab governor of Armenia, al-Jarrah ibn Abdallah. The clash took place on the plain outside the town of Ardabil, which was subsequently captured by the Khazars, who made incursions as far as Diyar Bakr and al-Jazira before they were repelled by the Umayyad prince Maslama ibn Abd al-Malik (d. 738). According to the Arab geographer al-Maqdisi (d. 991), "seventy languages" were spoken around Ardabil, which most likely refers to various variations of the Adhari language.

In 1209, a reinvigorated Georgia had its forces plunder Ardabil, reportedly killing 12,000 residents. Ardabil later withstood two attacks by the Mongols, but was ultimately sacked by them in 1220. The city managed to recuperate and reached a more blossoming state than before, though by this time Tabriz was the leading city in the Azerbaijan region, and under the later Ilkhanate, it had become Soltaniyeh.

Safavid king Ismail I, born in Ardabil, started his campaign to nationalize Iran's government and land from there, but consequently announced Tabriz as his capital in 1501. Yet Ardabil remained an important city both politically and economically until modern times. During the frequent Ottoman-Persian Wars, being close to the borders, it was often sacked by the Ottomans between 1514 and 1722 as well as in 1915 during World War I when the former invaded neighboring Iran.

In the early Qajar period, crown prince Abbas Mirza, son of then incumbent king (shah) Fath Ali Shah Qajar (r. 1797–1834) was the governor of Ardabil. With Ardabil already once being sacked by the Russians during the Russo-Persian War of 1804–1813, and this being the era of the Russians steadily advancing into the Iranian possessions in the Caucasus, Abbas Mirza ordered the Napoleonic general Gardane, who served the Qajars at the time, to strengthen and fortify the town with ramparts. During the next and final war, the Russo-Persian War of 1826–28, the ramparts were stormed by the Russian troops, who then temporarily occupied the town. The town's extensive and noted library, known as the library of Safi-ad-din Ardabili, was taken to St. Petersburg by General Ivan Paskevich with the promise that its holdings would be brought to the Russian capital for safekeeping until they could be returned, a promise never fulfilled.

After the Russo-Persian Wars, Iran ceded its territories in the Caucasus to Russia under the terms of the Treaty of Turkmenchay (1828). As a result, Ardabil was situated only 40 kilometers from the newly drawn border, becoming even more important economically as a stop on a major caravan route along which European goods entered Iran from Russia. After he visited Ardabil in 1872, German diplomat Max von Thielmann noted, in his book published in 1875, the extensive activity in the town's bazaar, as well as the presence of many foreigners, and estimated its population at 20,000. During the early Iranian Constitutional Revolution, Russia occupied Ardabil together with other Iranian cities until the eventual collapse of the Russian Empire in 1917.

Demographics

Language and ethnicity

The dominant majority in the city are ethnic Iranian Azerbaijanis and the primary language is Azerbaijani.

Population

At the time of the National Census of 2006, the population of the city was 412,669 in 32,386 households. The following census in 2011 counted 482,632 people in 134,715 households. The 2016 census measured the population of the city as 529,374 inhabitants living in 158,627 households.

Geography

Location

Ardabil is located on the Baliqly Chay River, about 70 km (43 mi) from the Caspian Sea(Khazar), and 210 km (130 mi) from the city of Tabriz. It has an average altitude of 1,263 metres (4,144 ft) and total area of 18.011 km (6.954 sq mi). Neighboring on the Caspian Sea. It has been of great political and economic significance throughout history, especially within the Caucasus region. It is located on an open plain 1,500 metres (4,900 ft) above sea level, just east of Mount Sabalan (4,811 m), where cold spells occur until late spring.

Climate

Ardebil has a cold semi-arid climate (Köppen: BSk), bordering a humid continental climate (Köppen: Dsb, Trewartha: Dc), with warm, very dry summers and cold, snowy winters. Many tourists come to the region for its cool climate during the hot summer months. The winters are long and bitterly cold, with record low temperature of −33.8 °C. The annual rainfall is around 300 mm (12 in).

Geology

The hot springs and natural landscapes in the Ardabil area attract tourists. The mineral springs of Ardabil (Beele-Darreh, Sar'eyn, Sardabeh and Booshloo) are notable throughout Iran for their medicinal qualities.

Of the many lakes in the area, the largest include Ne'or, Shorabil, ShoorGel, NouShahr and Aloocheh that are the habitats of some species of water birds. The Lake Ne'or is located in a mountainous area 48 km south-east of the city of Ardabil. It covers an area of 2.1 km and has an average depth of 3 metres. It is fed by springs in the lake bed.

Earthquakes

Ardabil is associated with historical confusion between the 893 Dvin earthquake which was often wrongly documented as the 893 Ardabil earthquake due to the similarity of the Arabic name for city of Dvin in Armenia, 'Dabil' to Ardabil.

On 28 February 1997, a destructive earthquake hit the Ardabil area. At least 965 people were killed, 2,600 injured, 36,000 homeless, 12,000 houses damaged or destroyed and 160,000 livestock were killed. Severe damage was observed to roads, electrical power lines, communications and water distribution systems around Ardabil.

Economy

The economy of Ardabil is partially agricultural, partially tourist-based, with some industries in operation.

The Iranian government in 2006 announced plans to build "the largest textile factory of its kind in the Middle East" in Ardabil.

Arta Industrial Group (AIG) has one of the largest textile conglomerates in Iran, which is located in the provinces called Qazvin and Ardabil. The group has received numerous awards for being one of the top 20 exporters and industrial groups in Iran since 1998. It is the first company to produce high-density fiberboard (HDF), medium-density fiberboard (MDF), laminate flooring and multi-layer films in Iran.

AIG has the first private industrial site in Iran in the city of Ardabil, which has fifteen main factories owned by (AIG). This Industrial zone covers an area of 100 hectares and Residential Area for engineers and managers of the company.

The city is served by Refah Chain Stores Co., Iran Hyper Star, Isfahan City Center, Shahrvand Chain Stores Inc., Ofoq Kourosh chain store.

Bazaars

In the heart of the city, stands the ancient bazaar, described by historians of the 4th century CE as cruciform, with simply designed domes extending in four directions. Most sections of the bazaar were constructed and renovated during the Safavid and Zand periods.

Shrine

One of the main sights in the city of Ardabil in north-west Iran is the shrine of Shaykh Safi al-Din Ardabili, who died in 1334. The Shaykh was a Sufi leader, who trained his followers in Islamic mystic practices. After his death, his followers remained loyal to his family, who became increasingly powerful.

In 1501, one of his descendants, Shah Isma'il, seized political power. He united Iran for the first time in several centuries and established the Shi'i form of Islam as the state religion. Isma'il was the founder of the Safavid dynasty, named after Shaykh Safi al-Din.

The Safavids, who ruled without a break until 1722, and then intermittently until 1757, promoted the shrine of the Shaykh as a place of pilgrimage.

Ardabil carpet

In the late 1530s, Isma'il's son, Shah Tahmasp, enlarged the shrine, and it was at this time, that the carpet was made as one of a matching pair. The completion of the carpets was marked by a four-line inscription placed at one end. The first two lines are a poetic quotation that refers to the shrine as a place of refuge:

'Except for thy threshold, there is no refuge for me in all the world. Except for this door there is no resting-place for my head.'

The third line is a signature, 'The work of the slave of the portal, Maqsud Kashani.' Maqsud was probably the court official charged with producing the carpets. He was not necessarily a slave in the literal sense but called himself one to express humility, while the word for 'portal' can be used for a royal court or a shrine. Perhaps Maqsud meant both, as in this case the court was the patron of the shrine.

The fourth line contains the date 946 in the Muslim calendar, which is equivalent to 1539–1540 CE.

The Ardabil Carpet and the V&A

The two Ardabil carpets were still in the shrine of Shaykh Safi al-Din in 1843, when one was seen by two British visitors. Thirty years or more later, the shrine suffered an earthquake, and the carpets were sold off, perhaps to raise funds for repairs. The damaged carpets were purchased in Iran by Ziegler & Co., a Manchester firm involved in the carpet trade. Parts of one carpet were used to patch the other. The result was one 'complete' carpet and one with no border.

In 1892, the larger carpet was put on sale by Vincent Robinson & Co. of London. The designer William Morris went to inspect it on behalf of this museum. Reporting that the carpet was 'of singular perfection ... logically and consistently beautiful', he urged the museum to buy it. The money was raised, and in March 1893 the Museum acquired the carpet for £2000.

The second, smaller carpet was sold secretly to an American collector, and in 1953 it was given to the Los Angeles County Museum of Art. The Ardabil carpet hung on the wall in this gallery for many years. In 2006, the museum created the case in the centre of the gallery so that the carpet could be seen as intended, on the floor. To preserve its colours, it is lit for ten minutes on the hour and half-hour.

Transportation

Airport

The city has an airport.

Attractions

In addition to these, in many villages of Ardabil, relics of ancient monuments, including tombs have been found.

Being a city of great antiquity, the origins of Ardabil go back 4,000 to 6,000 years (according to historical research in this city). This city was the capital of Azerbaijan province in different times, but its golden age was in the Safavid period.

Sports

Football

Ardabil is host to several football teams. The most popular team in Ardabil is Shahrdari Ardabil, promoted in 2014 to the Azadegan League, the second tier of Iranian football. The city is renowned for producing great forwards, namely former Bayern Munich player and record international goal scorer Ali Daei.

Volleyball

Some International Volleyball Competitions was held in Ardabil: 2017 Asian Men's U23 Volleyball Championship, 2018 FIVB Volleyball Men's World Championship AVC qualification and 2019 FIVB Volleyball Men's Nations League (preliminary round).

Colleges and universities

• Mohaghegh Ardabili University With Architecture and Mechanical Engineering as the most popular department
• Ardabil University of Medical Sciences
• Islamic Azad University of Ardabil
• Payam Noor University of Ardabil
• Soureh University of Ardabil
• University of Applied Science of Ardabil
• Islamic Azad University of Khalkhal

Notable people

For a complete list see: Category:People from Ardabil

• Ismail I, the founder of the Safavid Empire.
• Lotfi A. Zadeh, mathematician, computer scientist, electrical engineer, artificial intelligence researcher and professor emeritus of computer science at the University of California, Berkeley.
• Rahim Aliabadi, is former Iranian wrestler and winner of silver medal in 1972 Summer Olympics.
• Ali Salimi (Right) & Farhad Ebrahimi (Left), were Iranian musician, composer and tar player.
• Ali Daei, is a soccer coach, a former soccer player and soccer coach.
• Nasrollah Nasehpour, is an Iranian master musician in the Radif instrument.
• Ghafour Jeddi, KIA, late IRIAF pilot and a war hero.
• Javad Alizadeh, is an Iranian cartoonist.
• Hossein Rezazadeh, is a former Iranian Olympic weightlifter, winner of two gold medals in summer Olympics.
• Naser Cheshmazar, musician, composer, and arranger
• Karim Ansarifard, Iranian footballer who plays as a forward for the Iranian national team.
• Safi-ad-din Ardabili, Muslim eponym of the Safavid dynasty.
• Abdul-Karim Mousavi Ardebili, Iranian reformist politician and Twelver shia marja.
• Bābak-e Khorramdin was one of the main Iranian revolutionary leaders .

Twin towns and sister cities

• Tiszavasvári, Hungary (since 2011)
• Volgograd, Russia (since 2015)

Photo gallery

• skyline photo
• Sheikh Safi's tomb
• Ardabil Anthropology Museum
• Sheikh Jabraeil's tomb
• Shahedgah
• Janbazan square
• Sheikh Safi's tomb
• Ardabil Museum
• Yeddi goz bridge (Seven Eyes bridge)
• Heyran road

See also

• Sabalan TV
• Ardabil Khanate

Notes

1. Also romanized as Ardabīl and Ardebīl; Azerbaijani: اردبیل

References

1. OpenStreetMap contributors (18 August 2024). "Ardabil, Ardabil County" (Map). openstreetmap.org (OpenStreetMap) (in Persian). Retrieved 18 August 2024.
2. "محمود صفری شهردار اردبیل شد". Irna (in Persian). Retrieved 14 February 2024.
3. ^ Census of the Islamic Republic of Iran, 1395 (2016): Ardabil Province. amar.org.ir (Report) (in Persian). The Statistical Center of Iran. Archived from the original (Excel) on 22 March 2019. Retrieved 19 December 2022.
4. Ardabil can be found at GEOnet Names Server, at this link, by opening the Advanced Search box, entering "-3053565" in the "Unique Feature Id" form, and clicking on "Search Database".
5. ^ Bosworth 1986, pp. 357–365.
6. "AZERBAIJAN". Encyclopaedia Iranica, Vol. III, Fasc. 2–3. 1987. pp. 205–257.
7. Habibi, Hassan (c. 2021) . Approval of the organization and chain of citizenship of the elements and units of the national divisions of East Azerbaijan province, centered in the city of Tabriz. qavanin.ir (Report) (in Persian). Ministry of the Interior, Defense Political Commission of the Government Council. Resolution 93808/T907. Archived from the original on 23 October 2021. Retrieved 21 February 2024 – via Laws and Regulations Portal of the Islamic Republic of Iran.
8. "yearbook 1396" (PDF).
9. Federal Research Division (2004). Iran: A Country Study. Kessinger Publishing. p. 123. ISBN 978-1-4191-2670-3.
10. Everett-Heath, John (2020). "Ardabīl". Concise Oxford Dictionary of World Place Names (6 ed.). Oxford University Press. ISBN 978-0-19-190563-6.
11. Badiyi 2020, p. 214.
12. Crone 2012, p. 46.
13. ^ Planhol, X. (1986). "ARDABĪL. ii. Modern Ardabīl". Encyclopaedia Iranica. Retrieved 5 June 2016.
14. Census of the Islamic Republic of Iran, 1385 (2006): Ardabil Province. amar.org.ir (Report) (in Persian). The Statistical Center of Iran. Archived from the original (Excel) on 20 September 2011. Retrieved 25 September 2022.
15. Census of the Islamic Republic of Iran, 1390 (2011): Ardabil Province. irandataportal.syr.edu (Report) (in Persian). The Statistical Center of Iran. Archived from the original (Excel) on 15 January 2023. Retrieved 19 December 2022 – via Iran Data Portal, Syracuse University.
16. "World Meteorological Organization Climate Normals for 1991-2020: Ardebil" (CSV). ncei.noaa.gov. NOAA. Retrieved 2 February 2024.
17. "World Meteorological Organization climate Normals for 1981-2010" (XLS). ncei.noaa.gov. NOAA. Retrieved 2 February 2024.
18. ^ "آمار 166 ايستگاه سينوپتيك كشور تا پایان سال 2010 میلادی + 37 ایستگاه تا پایان سال 2005". Archived from the original on 17 February 2016. Retrieved 13 February 2016.
19. Person, Waverley L (16 July 2008). "Significant Earthquakes of the World: 1997". United States Geological Survey. Archived from the original on 4 October 2008. Retrieved 18 October 2008.
20. "Huge textile factory, largest in Middle East to become operational in Ardebil". payvand.com. Archived from the original on 25 May 2013. Retrieved 23 January 2006.
21. "Ardabil Bazaar in Ardebil , [Iran Tourism & Touring Organization]". itto.org.
22. "History of the Ardabil Carpet". vam.ac.uk.
23. "OITL - Ardabil Airport - SkyVector".
24. "اردبیل معدن بازیکنان بزرگ ایران اما بدون تیم!". fartakvarzeshi. 25 February 2017.
25. "Pact of pariahs forming between Iran and Hungary's Jobbik". 5 March 2013. Retrieved 24 May 2015.
26. "Iran's Ardabil, Russia's Volgograd to be sisters". Mehr News Agency. 23 May 2015.

Sources

• Badiyi, Bahram (2020). "Cities and Mint Centers Founded by the Sasanians". Ancient Iranian Numismatics: 203–233. doi:10.1163/9789004460720_012. ISBN 9789004460720. S2CID 242624054.
• Bosworth, C. E. (1986). "Ardabīl". Encyclopædia Iranica, online edition, Vol. II, Fasc. 4. New York. pp. 357–365.{{cite encyclopedia}}: CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link)
• Crone, Patricia (2012). The Nativist Prophets of Early Islamic Iran: Rural Revolt and Local Zoroastrianism. Cambridge University Press. ISBN 978-1107642386.

Further reading

• Yves Bomati and Houchang Nahavandi,Shah Abbas, Emperor of Persia, 1587–1629, 2017, ed. Ketab Corporation, Los Angeles, ISBN 978-1595845672, English translation by Azizeh Azodi.

v t e Ardabil province
Capital	Ardabil
Counties and cities	Ardabil County Ardabil Hir Bileh Savar County Bileh Savar Jafarabad Aslan Duz County Aslan Duz Germi County Germi Tazeh Kand-e Angut Khalkhal County Khalkhal Hashatjin Kolowr Kowsar County Kivi Meshgin Shahr County Meshgin Shahr Lahrud Razi Namin County Namin Abi Beyglu Anbaran Nir County Nir Kuraim Parsabad County Parsabad Sareyn County Sareyn
Landmarks	Lerd Tourist Village Sardabe Waterfall Sibieh Khani Waterfall Complex of Sheikh Safi-ad-din Ardabili Ardabil Bazaar Alvares (ski resort) Shorabil Lake Sabalan Neor Lake Shapur II Bas-relief of Meshkinshar Haftkhaneh Cave Meshginshahr suspension bridge Sarein springs Ardabil Anthropology Museum Qarah Soo Bridge
Places	List of cities, towns and villages in Ardabil Province

v t e Ardabil County
Capital	Ardabil
Districts	Central Cities Ardabil Rural districts and villages Arshaq Sharqi (East Arshaq) Allahlu Aq Qaleh Bayram Badani Chaghungenesh Chat Qayah Dalikli Dash Dashlujeh Gol Tappeh Imir Jamayran Kaftareh Khalaj Khvajeh Bolaghi Mohammad Janlu Naqdi Kandi Pir Alvan Qeshlaq-e Owch Bolagh Savoj Bolagh Sharif Beyglu Sorkhanlu Tahmasebabad Taleb Qeshlaqi Taqi Dizaj Balghelu Almas Aski Shahr Banafsheh Daraq Gol Moghan Goli Hakim Qeshlaqi Hasan Baruq Kharabeh-ye Kohal Molla Bashi Molla Yusef Nuran Pir Alqar Qasem Qeshlaqi Qelichi Rowshanaq Sham Asbi Vareh Now Zardalu Gharbi (West) Abr Bakuh Ali Qeshlaqi Amirabad Charapa Gendishmin Jabah Dar Kord Qeshlaqi Kulan Kuh Masumabad Mijandi Mokhtarabad Ravindazaq Samarin Shender Shami Sheykh Ahmad Taqi Kandi Tazeh Kand-e Mohammadiyeh Yengejeh-ye Molla Mohammad Hasan Kalkharan Anzab-e Olya Aqcheh Kand Ardi Gilan Deh Kalkhuran Sheykh Karkaraq Qarahlar Samian Soltanabad Sowmaeh Tazeh Kand-e Rezaabad Tazeh Kand-e Sharifabad Sardabeh Amuqin Arvanaq Baruq Chehel Gaz Chenaqrud Dijujin Divlaq Garjan Gonsul Kandi Hamlabad Hasanali Kandi Jamadi Khiarak Khoshkeh Rud Kord Kandi Mirani Omidcheh Qaleh Juq-e Sabalan Qarah Tappeh-ye Sabalan Sardabeh Shahrivar Shamshir Khaneh Shisheh Garan Vakilabad Yengejeh-ye Reza Beyglu Sharqi (East) Aq Bolagh-e Aqajan Khan Aq Bolagh-e Rostam Khani Aqa Baqer Chanzanaq Hamidabad Kamiabad Mazar-e Pileh Sehran Niar Pir Aquam Raziabad Topraqlu Hir Cities Hir Rural districts and villages Fuladlui Jonubi (South Fuladlui) Abbasabad Ainalu Almagalan Budalalu Dalilu Firuzabad Gavar Qaleh Hefzabad Helabad Jiavan Mahmudabad Masjedlu Qarah Vali Qayeh Chaman Fuladlui Shomali (North Fuladlui) Alucheh-ye Fuladlu Aralluy-e Bozorg Aralluy-e Kuchek Ayuriq Gol Tappeh-ye Malali Guradel Hesar Khalilabad Kuzah Topraqi Now Shahr Razamgah Hir Ahu Qaleh Baqarabad Bileh Daraq Chanzab Davil Domdomeh Kalkhuran Kargan Keriq Khaneqah Kordali Kuhsareh Qeshlaq-e Mohammad Beyg-e Olya Qeshlaq-e Mohammad Beyg-e Sofla Qezel Qayah Shablu Yaychi

v t e Iranian architecture
Periods	Pre-Islamic Achaemenid Parthian style Sasanian Islamic Early Islamic Seljuk Ilkhanid Timurid Safavid
Types	Bazaars Caravanserais Khaneqah Mosques Takyeh
Elements	Ab anbar Andaruni Biruni Burj Chahartaq Dalan e Vorudi Gonbad Hashti Howz Imamzadeh Iwan Kariz Kucheh Panjdari Persian Garden (hayāt) Qanat Sahn Shabestan Talar Windcatchers Yakhchāl
Traditional cities	Amol Andijan Baku Bam Bukhara Ctesiphon Derbent Ganja Gur-e-Amir Hatra Herat Isfahan Kashan Kashmar Khiva Khorramabad Mashhad Merv Nakhchivan Nishapur Persepolis Qazvin Qom Samarkand Shahrisabz Shiraz Susa Tabriz Takht-e Soleymān Tehran Yazd
Theory and analysis	Islamic architecture Traditional Persian residential architecture Traditional water sources of Persian antiquity
Lists	Architects of Iran Args, castles, and ghal'ehs List of ab anbars of Qazvin List of mosques List of ziyarat-gahs

• Ardabil
• Cities in Ardabil province
• Iranian provincial capitals
• Populated places in Ardabil County
• Populated places along the Silk Road
• Populated places established in the 4th century BC
• Sasanian cities
• Peroz I