Tabriz

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Jump to: navigation, search
Tabriz
تبریز
Tabriz municipality, built in 1934, by Arfa'ol molk, with the aid of German engineers.
Tabriz municipality, built in 1934, by Arfa'ol molk, with the aid of German engineers.
Nickname(s): The City of Firsts
Tabriz is located in Iran
Tabriz
Tabriz
Coordinates: 38°04′N 46°18′E / 38.067°N 46.3°E / 38.067; 46.3
Country  Iran
Province East Azarbaijan
County Tabriz
Elevation 1,351.4 m (4,434 ft)
Population (2006)
 - Total 1,579,312
 - Population Rank in Iran 4th
Time zone IRST (UTC+3:30)
 - Summer (DST) +4:30 (UTC)
Area code(s) 0411
Website http://www.tabrizcity.org

Tabriz (Azeri': تبریز ;Persian: تبریز ) 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,[1] Tabriz is Iran's Fourth largest city, after Tehran, Mashhad and Esfahan.[2]

Contents

[edit] History

[edit] Etymology

The founding of Tabriz is shrouded in mystery and myth. Various sources[3][4][5][6] name the city as the possible site of the Biblical Garden of Eden.

According to some sources,[7] including Encyclopedia Britannica,[8] the name Tabriz derives from "tap-riz" ("causing heat to flow" in Iranian languages), from the many thermal springs in the area. Other sources[9][10] 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.[11] 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.[12]

[edit] Medieval and renaissance history

In A.D. 791, Zubaidah, the wife of Abbasid caliph Harun al-Rashid, rebuilt Tabriz[citation needed] after a devastating earthquake and beautified the city so much as to obtain the credit for having been its founder[11].

After the Mongol invasion, Tabriz came to eclipse Maragheh as the later Ilkhanid capital of Azarbaijan until sacked by Tamerlane in 1392.[6] Chosen as a capital by Arghun Khan, fourth ruler of the Ilkhanate, for its favored location in the northwestern grasslands,[13] 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.[citation needed]

From 1375 to 1468, Tabriz was the capital of Kara Koyunlu state in Azarbaijan[14], 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.

[edit] Contemporary history

Constitutionalists of Tabriz The two men in the center are Sattar Khan & Bagher Khan

Tabriz was the city where the Constitutional Revolution of Iran started[15] 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".[16] 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.

[edit] 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).[citation needed]
  • 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.[13]
  • 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 founding in 2002 in Blue mosque site, belongs to 3000 years ago.

[edit] 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.

[edit] Governing system

Further information: List of Tabriz Mayors

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.

[edit] 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.

Climate chart for Tabriz
J F M A M J J A S O N D
 
 
26
 
1
-7
 
 
25
 
4
-4
 
 
47
 
10
0
 
 
54
 
16
6
 
 
42
 
22
11
 
 
18
 
29
15
 
 
3
 
33
20
 
 
4
 
32
19
 
 
9
 
28
14
 
 
28
 
20
8
 
 
29
 
12
2
 
 
26
 
5
-3
average temperatures in °C
precipitation totals in mm

Tabriz has a dry continental climate (Köppen BSk). The annual precipitation is around 310 millimetres (12 in), 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.

[edit] 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.

[edit] Culture

[edit] 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.

[edit] Religion

More than 99 percent of population of Tabriz are shia Muslims, there is also some Armenian and Assyrian Christians live in Tabriz.

[edit] 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:

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 Mehranrud [river] are enough!
―Khaqani

اين ارك بلند شهر تبريز است
افراشته قامتِ رسايش را

This is the tall Arg of Tabriz City,
Raised it's outstanding height there!
―Maftun

[edit] Music

Main article: Music of Iran
See also: Music of Azerbaijan

The classical music of Azerbaijan is called mugam ("muğam"), 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.

[edit] Art of Rug

A sample of Tabriz rugs
Main article: Persian carpet
See also: Tabriz 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.

[edit] Cuisine

Sample of Tabrizi traditional food. Shown here: Koufteh Tabrizi.
See also: Iranian cuisine, Azerbaijani cuisine, Turkish 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.

[edit] Tourism

[edit] Monuments and Landmarks

Armenian illuminated manuscript of 1337, done by Avag in Sultania / Tabriz.

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 (مسجد کبود Göy-Masjid) is another important monument in the city. Here is a list of city's monuments:

Roshdiye School
Azarbaijan Museum, Tabriz
Musée mesures tabriz.jpg

[edit] Souvenirs

Silver handcrafts of Tabriz
Ghorabiye cookies of Tabriz

Handcrafts:

  • Rug
  • Pottery
  • Ceramics
  • Silverware
  • Wood engraving

Confections:

Dry Nut, Shoe, Local clothes, Spices.

[edit] Hotels

A view of Tabriz Hotel Pars.
  • Hotel Pars (Hotel El Gholi) (International, 5 star), Shah Goli park
  • Shahryar International Hotel (5 star), Shah Gholi road
  • Hotel Gostaresh (4 star), Abrassan intersection
  • Tabriz International Hotel(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

[edit] Closeby Tourist Attractions

[edit] Transportation

A boulevard in Tabriz.

Since ancient times Tabriz has been known as a transportation center between west and east. It lies on the ancient Silk Road.

[edit] International

  • Roads

Tabriz is linked to Europe through Turkey's roads and Bazargan ((Azerbaijani, Persian: بازرگان ) 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.

  • Railways

The city is linked to Iran National Railways (IRIR,Persian: رجا ) also to Europe by Turkey's railways via Ghotour (Azerbaijani, Persian قطور ) 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.

  • Airport

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.

[edit] 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.

[edit] Education

[edit] Universities, Higher Education Institutes , Research Centres

Tabriz University's clock tower.

A list of the universities and research centers in the city follows:

[edit] 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.

[edit] Religious schools

  • Valiiasr religious school
  • Talebiieh Islamic Sciences School

[edit] 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.

[edit] Economy

[edit] 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:

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:

[edit] Small businesses

  • Shoe ateliers
  • Stonecutting
  • Furniture ateliers
  • Confectionary and Drynuts

[edit] Handcrafts ateliers

Pottery samples
  • Rug
  • Silverwares
  • Wood engraving
  • Pottery and Ceramics

[edit] 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/

[edit] Sport

[edit] Soccer

[edit] 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

[edit] Media

[edit] 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/

[edit] Radio

Tabriz has one radio Channel broadcasts in Both Persian and Azerbaijani languages and is ruled by Iranian government.

[edit] Newspapers and Magazines

There is 5 newspapers and 14 weekly magazines are published in Tabriz:

Newspapers:

[edit] Notable people

[edit] Sufi

[edit] Politicians and reformists

[edit] Poets and writers

[edit] Scientists

[edit] Clergymen

[edit] Artists

[edit] Sport persons

For a complete list see: List of people from Tabriz

[edit] Photo Gallery of Tabriz

For More Photos Go To:Tabriz City Photo Gallery.

Tabriz Municipality(Saat Tower)

A Timcheh in Tabriz Bazaar

Monuments of the poets (Maqbarat-ol-Shoara)

Blue Mosque

Ark, before revolution

Shah-goli at winter

Khaneh Mashrutiyat (the house of the constitutional revolution)

View of Khaqani Park Beside The Göy Masjid (Blue Mosque)

Measurement Museum (Behinde of Tabriz Municipality Building)

Shabestan of Jumu'a Masjid(Friday Mosque)of Tabriz

Yangin (Tabriz Fire Fighting Tower)

Statue of Kamaleddin Behzad Near The Tomb of Two Kamals

Seyed Hamze shrine and mosque.

Daneshsara (Faculty of Education) of Tabriz

Tabriz Municipality

Mellibank Building

Shohada Mosque

Governorship Building

Borj Bolour

[edit] Sister cities

 This article does not cite any references or sources. Please help improve this article by adding citations to reliable sources. Unverifiable material may be challenged and removed. (September 2008)

The following is a list of Tabriz's sister cities:

[edit] Notes

  1. ^ 2007 census
  2. ^ Statistical Center of Iran: Results of national 2007 census
  3. ^ David Rohl. Legend: The Genesis of Civilisation, Arrow Books, Ltd., 1998, ISBN 0712682295
  4. ^ Jeffery Donley. The Everything History of the Bible Book, Adams Media, 2006, ISBN 1593375565, p. 59
  5. ^ Etta B. Donaldson. "A Journey to the Garden of Eden", The American Magazine, Crowell-Collier Publishing Co., 1893, p. 439
  6. ^ a b Andrew Burke and Mark Elliott. Iran, Lonely Planet, 2004, ISBN 1740594258, p. 133
  7. ^ Gholam-Reza Sabri-Tabrizi. Iran: A Child's Story, a Man's Experience, International Publishers Co., 1989, p. 72, ISBN 0717806820
  8. ^ Encyclopedia Britannica. "Tabriz", Online Edition, 2007
  9. ^ "Tabrīz." Microsoft Encarta 2007 [DVD]. Redmond, WA: Microsoft Corporation, 2006.
  10. ^ Samuel Graham Wilson. Persian Life and Customs, Oliphant, Anderson and Ferrier, 1896, p.323
  11. ^ a b Edward Backhouse Eastwick. Journal of a Diplomate's Three Years' Residence in Persia, Smith, Elder and Co., 1864, p. 327
  12. ^ V. Minorsky-[C.E. Bosworth], Blair, Sheila S. (2009) "Tabriz" Encyclopedia of Islam, Second Edition. Brill.
  13. ^ a b David Morgan, The Mongols p. 142
  14. ^ V. Minorsky. "Jihān-Shāh Qara-Qoyunlu and His Poetry (Turkmenica, 9)", Bulletin of the School of Oriental and African Studies, University of London, Vol. 16, No. 2 (1954), p. 277
  15. ^ Edward Shirley. Know Thine Enemy: A Spy's Journey Into Revolutionary Iran, Westview Press, 1999, ISBN 0813335884, p. 170: "The 1906-11 Constitutional Revolution, Iran's first attempt to limit the power of its shahs, started in Tabriz, then the most Westernized Iranian city."
  16. ^ For a complete list of Firsts in Tabriz see: سرداري‌نيا، صمد. "تبريز شهر اولين‌ها"، تبريز: كانون فرهنگ و هنر آذربايجان، 1381
  17. ^ [http://www.rosbalt.ru/2009/01/16/610380.html Tabriz and Kazan sister cities agreement]

[edit] References

[edit] External links

Sister project Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Tabriz

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


v • d • e
Major monuments in Tabriz

Retrieved from "http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tabriz"
Personal tools