tabriz

Because of Tabriz location (as Gate of West for Iran), many signs of modern life in Iran had been appeared for the first time in this city. Based on this phenomenon many of Tabrizis believe that Tabriz is the city of first modern life in Iran. There is also a book published in this matter by Samad Sardarnia including the first innovations that takes place for first time inside Tabriz. Lists of most important of them are listed in Tabriz City of Firsts.


[edit] History

[edit] Etymology
The founding of Tabriz is shrouded in mystery. According to various sources[2][3][4][5], the city was a site of the Biblical Garden of Eden.

Earliest mentioning of Tabriz appears in Assyrian king Sargon II's epigraph in 714 B.C.[6]. Also called Gazaca, in 4th century B.C.E. Tabriz became the capital of Atropatene, named after Atropates,governor (satrap) of the Achaemenid province of Media that later became one of Alexander the Great's generals[7][8].

Later references date back as early as the Sassanian period[5]. According to some sources[9], including Encyclopedia Britannica[7], the name Tabriz is said to derive from "tap-riz" ("causing heat to flow" in Iranian languages), from the many thermal springs in the area. Other sources [10][11] claim that in A.D. 246, to avenge his brother's death, king Khosraw I of Armenia defeated Ardashir I of Sassanids 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 [12].


[edit] Medieval History
In A.D. 791, Zubaidah, the wife of Abbasid caliph Harun al-Rashid, rebuilt Tabriz after a devastating earthquake and beautified the city so much as to obtain the credit for having been its founder[12].

After the Mongol invasion, Tabriz came to eclipse Maragheh as the later Ilkhanid capital of Azerbaijan until sacked by Tamerlane in 1392[5]. In 1295, Ghazan Khan, the Mongol ruler of Persia, 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.

From 1375 to 1468, Tabriz was the capital of Kara Koyunlu state in Azerbaijan[13], 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 few months to 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 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 KhanTabriz was the city where the Constitutional Revolution of Iran started 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.

The famous Iranian historian and philosopher, Ahmad Kasravi, was born in a nearby village called Hokmavar. Samad Behrangi, a famous writer and musicians, along with Ali Salimi, Vahid Houseini, and Bigjeh-Khani were tar 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 was retaken by Iran (on 1947) after the forced Soviet withdrawal.


[edit] Historical Timeline
4th century BCE: It is the capital of Atropatene, named after Iranian governor of the province (appointed by Alexander the Great).
297: 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.
1296: The Mongol Il-Khan Mahmud Ghazan makes Tabriz his capital.
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 to 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 destroys 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.

[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. Analyses has shown that the background of the graves to be more than 2000 years old.


[edit] Damaged Historical Sites
There are nomerious historical sites inside Tabriz that were damaged by natural disasters or by human hand. Some of the most famous samples sites are listed below:

There were some hills that have constructed with the ashes produced by Zardostans before Islam. They have remained up to just few years before revolution on 1979. They have destroyed before revolution during an agricaltural development project.
Large parts of Tabriz Ark Castel, whole of Tabriz National Library Building and whole of Tabriz City Theater Hall, has been damaged for making new Friday Mosque (1981).
Shanb Ghazan Building (Palace of Mongol Kings), Damaged by Tabriz Municipality before revolution (1979).
Tabriz City Gates, 3 of 4 main entrance gates damaged by Tabriz Municipality before revolution (1979), Currently one of them exist behind Ghari Bridge.
Shahgoli Palace building has been reconstructed completely by City Municipality.
Blue Mosque Building has been damaged completely by earthquake (currently, it has been reconstructed as its first shape) on 1780.
Bagh-e Shomal Palace has been damaged completely by City Municipality.

[edit] Governing system
The city's most responsible person is mayor who is elected by municipal board of the city. According to the Iranian laws the municipal board is periodically elected by the city residents.

Tabriz City Hall (Saat Tower building) is used as the Municipal central office.

Here is the List of Tabriz Mayors.


[edit] Climate
Dry hot Summers and Snowy cold Winters. Daytime temperatures usually reach at least 30 degrees Celsius (high 80s Fahrenheit) in June and July and may drop well below freezing in January and February. The weather is almost windy. The Rain rarly occurs between June and August. The climate compares well with that of Denver, Colorado.


[edit] Culture

A sample of Tabriz rugs
[edit] Language
The predominant language in the city is Azarbaijani (Azeri Turkish),It is one of the branches of Western (oghuz)Turkish languages, also almost all inhabitants of the city can speak and understand Persian as well.

See also: Oghuz languages, Turkic languages


[edit] Literature
The music and folksongs 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 world-wide. 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:

??????? ??? ???? ? ??????
??? ????? ??? ? ??? ??????

Oh Sārbān, have camels' cargo unloaded,
For Tabriz is neighborhood of the beloved.
�Molana


????? ?? ????? ????? ???
?? ?????? ????? ? ????? ???

A beloved lived in Tabriz away from sight,
who was always alert and awake at night
�Bustan of Sadi

?? ?? ?????? ?? ???? ???? ???
??? ??? ? ?? ????? ??? ? ??

As long as I live in Tabriz, two things I need not worry of,
The half loaf of bread and the water of Mehran-rud are enough!
�Khaqani


[edit] Art of Rug
Tabriz is the number one center for production of the famous Turkish-Persian Rug.

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.


[edit] Music
The classical music of Azerbaijan is called mugam (more accurately spelled mu?am), and is usually a suite with poetry and instrumental interludes. The sung poetry sometimes includes tahrir segments, which use a form of throat singing similar to yodelling. The poetry is typically about divine love and is most 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, a form of lute. Their songs are semi-improvised around a common base.

See also:Music of Azerbaijan


[edit] Food and Confectionary

Sample of Tabrizi traditional food. Shown here: Kufteh Tabrizi.Kufteh Tabrizi is a special food prepared in Tabriz. Some restaurants offer Kufteh Tabrizi on their menu but the quality is not as good as when it is prepared by Tabriz families at home.

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: the most famous markets for this purpose are Rex (in Imam Ave near to Ferdowsi Ave.), Tashrifat (Abrassan Sq.), Karimi (Valieasr Quarter) and Eftekhari (Mansour Street)," Ayubi"(Abrassan Sq.)


[edit] Tourism

[edit] Museums

Azarbaijan Museum, TabrizMuseum of Azarbaijan in Khomeyni Street
Measurement Museum
Tabriz Constitution House (Museum of Constitution Revolution) in Bazaar
Shahryar Literature Museum (House of Late Poet Shahryar) in Maqsoudieh Quarter
Museum of Ostad Bohtouni in Laklar Quarter
Museum of Qajar in Sheshghelan Quarter

[edit] Monuments

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 (???? ???? Gouy-Masjed) is another important monument in the city. Here is a list of city's monuments:

Ark-e Tabriz
Shrine in Eynali Mountain
Grand Bazaar of Tabriz
Shah Gholi (Pool Of King)
Goy Masjid (Blue Mosque)
Saheb ol Amr
The Amir Nezam House
The Behnam House (School of Architecture, Islamic Art University of Tabriz)
The House of Mashrouteh (constitution)
The House of Bolourchian
Charm Sazi-e Khosravi (Faculty of Applied Arts)
Seyed Hamzeh Grave
Maqbaratoshoara (Tumb of Poets)
Saat Tower (Tabriz City Hall)
Tabriz Fire Fighting Tower
Tabriz Railway Station
Tarbiyat street
Bagh Golestan park
El-Gholi park
Baghlar Baghi park
Ghari Bridge, 2 Historical Bridges on Mehran Rud
Armenian church of Saint Mary
Armenian church of Adontist
Catholic church of Tabriz
Asurian church

[edit] Major Hotels

A view of Tabriz Hotel Pars.Hotel Pars in Shah Goli (International)
Hotel Shahriyar (International)
Hotel Gostaresh in Abresan Sq.
Hotel Tabriz ( International )in Daneshgah Sq.
Hotel Azerbaijan in Shahnaz Street
Hotel Ark in Shahnaz Street
Hotel Darya in Khomeyni Street
Hotel Park in Khomeyni Street
Hotel Negin
Hotel Sina
Hotel Marmar
and many Hostels in Ferdowsi Street

[edit] Transportation

A boulevard in Tabriz.From ancient times Tabriz was known as a transportation center between West and East. Also, it was located on the ancient Silk Road.


[edit] International and Intercity
Currently Tabriz is linked to the world by Sento International Road, Iran Railway and Tabriz International Airport.


[edit] Inside City
Tabriz has general bus and taxi systems. There are also some private groups who serves as Tele Taxi's. Currently Tabriz metro and tramway system is under construction.


[edit] Education