Tabriz; City of Firsts in Iran

Tabriz, the City of Compassion, is one of the most historically important cities of Iran, which played a major role in the Constitutional Revolution of the early 1900s. Some of the historical sites in this city such as the magnificent Blue Mosque of Tabriz and the 700-year-old Rab’-e Rashidi University have been devastated by the several earthquakes which have rocked the city throughout its history. The ruins, however, still tell of their glorious past. Once the city where Qajar Crown Princes resided before coming into power, Tabriz is the city of extravagantly decorated mansions, many of which have been turned into museums.

Tabriz on Map

 History

The early history of Tabriz is not well-documented. The earliest inscription about this city, referring to the city as Tarui or Taruis, is on the Assyrian King Sargon II’s epigraph in 714 BC. This city has been chosen as the capital for some rules commencing from Atropates era. A recent excavation at the site of the Iron Age Museum, in the north of the Blue Mosque site, uncovered a graveyard of 1^st millennium BC. More likely the city has been destroyed multiple times either by natural disasters or by the invading armies. The earliest elements of the present Tabriz are claimed to be built either at the time of the early Sassanids in the 3^rd or 4^th century Ad, or later in the 7^th century. The Middle Persian name of the city was T’awres.

In 1501, Shah Ismail I entered this city and proclaimed it the capital of his Safavid state. In 1514, after the Battle of Chaldiran, this city was temporarily occupied by the Ottomans. this city retaken by Iranian forces and it remained the capital of Safavid Iranian empire until 1548. In that year Shah Tahmasp, transferred it to Qazvin to avoid the growing threat of Ottoman army to his capital.

City of Firsts

This city is known as the city of firsts as where the first school, municipality, school for the hearing impaired and chamber of commerce were established, and the first printing press was used and coin was industrially minted.

Some of Tabriz’s other firsts include the first street to have electricity, the first post office, the first women’s association, the first fire station, public library, and police precinct.

Tripp Plans

• 1^st day: Tabriz Bazar, Tabriz Mosque-Khaneh Mashroutheh (Constitutional House)
• 2^nd day: Take a trip on Tabiat Street: By crossing the cobblestone Street of Tabiat, you can go to Sa’at Square and visit Shahrdari Palace and Museum. Then, go to Maghsoudieh Street. Among houses in this street, we can mention: Heydarzadeh House, Ostad Shahriyar’s House, Behnam House, Salmasi House and Nikdel House. The Arg Alishah, or Arg-e Tabriz, is located next to the mosque of this city and is near Maghsoudieh district. Visiting the historic buildings of the Artesh Street, Azerbaijan Museum and the Kabud Mosque, located nearby, on Imam Khomeini Street is recommended.
• 3^rd day: Kandovan Village is one of the most famous villages in Iran. The distance from the village to this city is about 59 km and you can go there by car in an hour.
• 4^th day: Eel Guli (Shah Guli) – Mount Aoun Ebn-e Ali (Mount Einali) and Tele cabin and its beautiful nature
• 5^th day: Go to the Maqbarat-al Shoara. The shrine of Seyyed Hamzeh is located beside the Maqbarat-al Shoara Tomb. The Qajar Museum, or Amir Nezam-e Garousi House, Sarkhab and Sheshgolan districts in the city. In the district you can see old houses like Sharbatoghlu house, Sorkhei house, Saraflar house and Bolourchian house.

Top Hotels

Top Restaurants

• Berkeh: Persian, Turkish, Middle Eastern
• Delestan: Fast Food, Persian, Halal
• Jalali Sardrod: Middle Eastern, Persian, Halal
• Nobar: Persian, Middle Eastern
• Tabriz Modern Restaurant: Persian, Middle Eastern, Halal