Tabriz: City of Museums
Tabriz has been given the title “city of firsts”, and is the capital of East Azerbaijan and the hometown of many of the country’s pioneers. In addition, Tabriz is home to the country’s oldest bazaar and one of the largest covered in the world, it was chosen as the capital of Iran during the Safavid era, making it the first capital of Shia Islam. It is a modern industrialized Iranian city with signs of civilization dating back 2,500 years. Many historical monuments can be found in Tabriz, which represent Iran’s architectural transition throughout its deep history. Most of Tabriz's preserved historical sites belong to Ilkhanid, Safavid, and Qajar.
About the Climate of Tabriz
Tabriz is usually cold in winter and cool-ish in summer. Severe weather conditions, harsh geographical features, and, last but not least, proneness to seismic events may have as well influenced the residents’ personality, pride, and creativity. The average temperature in Tabriz varies from 23°F to 91°F and is rarely below 12°F or above 98°F.
Tabriz World Heritage Sites
Tabriz is one of the oldest rug weaving centers and produces a huge diversity of types of carpets. There are also some world heritage sites in the city of Tabriz, which include:
Bazaar of Tabriz
Bazar-e Tabriz is a historical market situated in the city center of Tabriz, Iran. The Bazaar of Tabriz is one of the oldest bazaars in the Middle East and the largest covered bazaar in the world. This historic bazaar complex is one of the most important commercial centers on the Silk Road.
Blue Mosque
Masjed-e Kabud is a historic mosque in Tabriz. Upon the order of Jahan Shah, this mosque and some other public buildings were constructed in 1465. The earthquake of 1780 severely damaged the mosque leaving only the iwan (entrance hall). Reconstruction began in 1973, however, it is still incomplete.
Attractions of Tabriz
Tabriz Blue Mosque
Built in 1465, Tabriz’s beautiful Blue Mosque was heavily damaged in 1779 by an earthquake. Although not much remained visible from the original building, what’s left shows its old splendor.
Azerbaijan Museum
Tabriz’s Azerbaijan Museum was founded in 1958 and opened in 1962 on Imam Khomeini Avenue, right near the Blue Mosque. It represented a collection of artwork and daily tools. The three-gallery exhibition displays shelves of elaborate knives, ornate pottery, and local-style jewelry and carpets. The museum will take you through Iran’s different periods of history, starting as early as the 5th millennium BC up to modern times, like a time-lapse journey.
Tabriz Grand Bazaar
Listed as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 2010, Tabriz Grand Bazaar is also one of the oldest and largest in the Middle East. A suggestive string of covered domes, brick walls, and endless meandering passageways, Tabriz bazaar sells just about everything you can think of, from a whole selection of nuts, one of the city’s claims to fame, to tightly woven Tabrizi-style carpets. Iran’s oldest city market, the bazaar has been a pivotal commercial hub along the Silk Road, and Tabriz Grand Bazaar is the economic heart of all northwestern cities in Iran.
El Goli Park
El Goli Park (El-Gölü, formerly known as Shah Goli), pool, and palace are worth a stop, be it for lunch, afternoon tea, or just a stroll. The park is a cherished weekend leisure spot for Tabriz residents who love to walk along the water streams or simply chill out at one of the cafes and restaurants lined up along its edge. On the slopes of the park is even possible to spend the night in tents equipped with electricity and comfortable camping beds.
Kandovan
Located less than an hour from Tabriz, Kandovan slightly reminds me of Turkey’s Cappadocia both for its geographical conformation and laid-back vibe, here houses are carved into the mountain, rather than built on it.
