In northwest Iran near the Turkish border this ancient capital of Armenia (founded in the 3rd century BC) is now a sprawling industrial city surrounded by mountains. Famed for its calligraphy and bookmaking in the 13th century Tabriz was well placed on trade routes and played an important role in Iran’s history. The city (pop. 1 089 000) is home to the Azeri Turks Iran’s largest minority group. While there visit the ruined 14th-century Ali Shah Mosque (its walls are 85 ft/26 m high) the 13th-century Blue Mosque (beautiful tilework) and the Jum’a Mosque.
In the nearby city of Ardabil (pop. 150 000) lies the Shaikh Safi Tomb where the world’s most valuable carpet was discovered (it’s now in London’s Victoria and Albert Museum). Huge Daryacheh ye Oroumieh (Lake Urmia) which lies west of Tabriz is noted for its healing salt water and medicinal mud.
Plan a very full day to see Tabriz.
465 mi/750 km from Tehran.
Candowan Village house cut into a cliff in East Azarbayijan.
A troglodyte village situated 19 kilometers south of Osku in East Azarbayijan. A small local population lives in a natural caves, subsisting through farming and animal husbandry.
Poets Mausoleum Sho'ara Cemetery
Poets Mausoleum
Known as the Sho'ara Cemetery, the
Mausoleum is the resting place of
many famous Iranian poets, mystic,
scientists, and theologians.
Bodies of Assadi Tousi, Khaqani
Shervani, Zahir-e Faryabi, Qatran
Tabrizi, Muhammad Shirin, Maqrebi,
Homam Tabrizi, Salman Savoji,
Falaki Shervani, Qazi Beizavi, and
the celebrated contemporary poet of
Tabriz, the late Muhammad Hussein
Shahriyar are buried here.
Blue Mosque The Blue Mosque (Masjid-i-kabud) is
the first building in the town,
famous throughout the East for the
splendor and quality of its glazed
decoration It stands near the
Khiaban-i-Vali Asr, on the left as
one leaves Maydan-i- vali Asr going
towards the west . Built in 1465,
a masterpiece of Timurian Mongol
art in Persia, it was almost
completely destroyed by an
earthquake. The only things left
standing were a part of the facade
with the splendid entrance portal,
pillars, arches and panels of the
great hall and large sections of
the cupola on the small hall.
In northwest Iran near the Turkish border this ancient capital of Armenia (founded in the 3rd century BC) is now a sprawling industrial city surrounded by mountains. Famed for its calligraphy and bookmaking in the 13th century Tabriz was well placed on trade routes and played an important role in Iran’s history. The city (pop. 1 089 000) is home to the Azeri Turks Iran’s largest minority group. While there visit the ruined 14th-century Ali Shah Mosque (its walls are 85 ft/26 m high) the 13th-century Blue Mosque (beautiful tilework) and the Jum’a Mosque. 