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Place
تبریز
Tabriz, East Azarbaijan, Iran
Nickname: Chocolate City of Iran
Location of Tabriz in IranLocation of Tabriz in Iran
Population
 • Total1,523,085
Time zoneUTC+3:30 (Tehran Time Zone)
WebsiteTabriz, Iran
Tabriz City Hall, built in 1934, by Arfa'ol molk, with the aid of German engineers.

Tabriz (Persian and Azeri (Arabic): تبریز, Azeri (Latin): Təbriz Armenian: Թավրիզ) is the largest city in north-western Iran with a population of 1,523,085 people (2006 est.). 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. 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 (later made into a documentary for the Discovery Channel) the British Egyptologist and historian David Rohl suggests that the Biblical Garden of Eden was situated here.

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 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, 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.

The popular etymology of the name Tabriz from tab=fever, riz = pourer away (verb, rikhtan = pour away, flow; German rieseln?), 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.

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 Azarbaijan 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 Democrat Party.
  • 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

Education

Universities

File:Tabriz-uni.jpg
Tabriz University's clock tower.

Tabriz University is one of Iran's most prestigious schools of higher education. A list of the universities in the city follows:

  1. Sahand University of Technology(WebSite)
  2. Tabriz University of Medical Sciences(WebSite)
  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
  8. Payam Noor University of Tabriz

Famous Schools

File:Tabrizdoc.JPG
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:

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:

Sport

Tabrizi people are fans of soccer. The city is the site of three Iranian major soccer teams:

Tabriz also has two stadiums for soccer:

Major Hotels

File:Tabriz Hotel Pars.jpg
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.) 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

for a complete list: Tabrizis.

Tabriz Monuments

Gallery

For a complete photo gallery of Tabriz see Tabriz City Photo Gallery.

Notes

  1. "Tabrīz." Microsoft Encarta 2007 . Redmond, WA: Microsoft Corporation, 2006.
  2. West of the Indus - Page 416

References

External links

38°05′N 46°17′E / 38.083°N 46.283°E / 38.083; 46.283


Monuments of Tabriz
Tabriz city hall
Tabriz city hall
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