Tabriz

Map of Iran and surrounding lands, showing location of Tabriz
Tabriz City Hall, built in 1895, by Arfa'ol molk, with the aid of German engineers.
Tabriz City Hall, built in 1895, by Arfa'ol molk, with the aid of German engineers.

Tæbriz (Persian: تبریز; Azerbaijani: Təbriz) is a city in north-western Iran with a population of 2.2 million people. Tæbriz is situated north of the volcanic cone of Sahand south of the Eynali mountain. It is the capital of the province of East Azerbaijan.

Tæbriz is the main cultural centers of the Iranian Azerbaijan, and most of its people are Azeris (a Turkic speaking people). The main language in the city is Azeri, a spoken dialect of western Turkish.

Historically, the founding of the city is shrouded in mystery. Some sources mention the Sassanid era, while others claim that it had been built by one of the wives of Harun al-Rashid. Tæbriz was the capital of the Ilkhanate empire from about 1270 to 1305, of the Aq Quyunlu from about 1469 to about 1502, and of the Safavids from 1502-1548. It also fell under Ottoman rule during the time of the Safavids. Also some other strong resources based on new founds, shows even longer history on this part.

Violent earthquakes have wiped out most of the historic monuments of Tæbriz. The chief survival is the Tæbriz Citadel (Ark-e Tæbriz 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.

Tæbriz 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 Tæbriz. The famous Iranian historian and philosopher, Ahmad Kasravi, was born in a nearby village called Hokmavar. Samad Behrangi famous Azerbaijani writer, and musicians like Ali Salimi, Vahid Houseini, Ostad Bigjeh Khani were tar specialists.

Tæbriz has a climate not unlike that of Denver, Colorado. The weather gets very hot in the summer and very cool in the winter.

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Culture

The music and folksongs of Tæbriz are popular and traditions have a long history among its people. The handicrafts in the Bazaar of Tæbriz, and in particular the Tabriz rug is famous world-wide, and Tæbrizs celebrate many holidays such as Nowruz in their own distinctive special ways.

Tæbriz also has a special place in Persian literature, as the following sample of verses from some of Iran's best poets and authors illustrates:

عزیزی در اقصای تبریز بود
که همواره بیدار و شبخیز بود

A beloved lived in Tæbriz 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 Tæbriz, two things I need not worry of,
The half loaf of bread and the water of Mehran-rud are enough!
―Khaqani

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Famous Tabrizis

Monument of the poets in Tabriz. Dozens of Iranian poets are commemorated here. Many of Iran's great names in literature and politics hail from East Azarbaijan.
Monument of the poets in Tabriz. Dozens of Iranian poets are commemorated here. Many of Iran's great names in literature and politics hail from East Azarbaijan.
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Education

Tabriz University is one of Iran's most prestigious schools of higher education. Tabriz also is where Tabriz National Library is located. A list of the colleges and universities in the city follows:

  1. Sahand University of Technology
  2. Tabriz University of Medical Sciences
  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
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References

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See also

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External links