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Map of Iran and surrounding lands, showing location of Tabriz
Map of Iran and surrounding lands, showing location of Tabriz
File:Tabrizcityhall.jpg
Tabriz City Hall, built in 1895, by Arfa'ol molk, with the aid of German engineers.

Tabriz (Persian: تبریز , Azari: Təbriz) is the largest city in north-western Iran with a population of 2.2 million people. Tabriz is situated north of the volcanic cone of Sahand south of the Eynali mountain. It is the capital of East Azarbaijan Province.

Tabriz is the main cultural center of the Iranian Azarbaijan, and most of its people are Azari-speaking people of Turkic origin. The main language spoken in the city is Azarbaijani.

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. After the Turkish invasion of Iran, Tabriz later became the capital of the Ilkhanate empire from about 1270 to 1305, of the Aq Quyunlu from about 1469 to about 1502, and of the Safavids from 1502-1548. It also fell under Ottoman rule during the time of the Safavids.

Also some other strong resources based on new discoveries show an even longer history on this part. Indeed, strong evidence from British Egyptologist and historian David Rohl suggests that the Biblical Garden of Eden was situated here. His findings were published in his book Legend: The Genesis of Civilisation and then made into a documentary for the Discovery Channel.

Violent earthquakes have wiped out most of the historic monuments of Tabriz. The chief survival is the Tabriz Citadel (Ark-e Tabriz or Ark-e Ælishah), a ruin of vertical book-shaped elements. The Blue Mosque of Tabriz (Göy-Mæčid), 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 famous writer, and musicians like Ali Salimi, Vahid Houseini, Ostad Bigjeh Khani were tar specialists.

Tabriz has a climate not unlike that of Denver, Colorado. The weather gets very hot in the summer and very cool in the winter.

Culture

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, and Tabrizis celebrate many holidays such as Norooz in their own distinctive special ways.

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:

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

Tabriz Monuments

Major Hotels

  • Hotel Pars
  • Tabriz Grand Hotel
  • Ark Hotel
  • Hotel Darya
  • Azerbaijan Hotel

Famous Tabrizis

File:Tabriz-poets.jpg
Monument of the Poets in Tabriz. Dozens of Iranian poets are commemorated here. Many of Iran's great names in literature and politics hail from East Azarbaijan.


Education

Tabriz University is one of Iran's most prestigious schools of higher education. Tabriz is also where Tabriz National Library is located. A list of the colleges and universities in the city follows:

  1. Sahand University of Technology
  2. Tabriz University of Medical Sciences
  3. Tabriz University of Tarbiat Moallem
  4. University of Tabriz (website)
  5. Islamic Azad University of Tabriz
  6. Tabriz Islamic Arts University
  7. University College of Nabi Akram

References

See also

External links

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