Tabriz City

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 Tabriz 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.

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Tabriz Bazar & Jame Mosque

The Bazar of Tabriz is a historical market situated in the city center of Tabriz. It is one of the oldest Bazars in the Middle East and the largest covered Bazar in the world. The Bazar is used for some important religious ceremonies. The most famous one is Day of Ashura during which merchants cease trading for about 10 days and religious ceremonies are held inside the Bazar. Like other Bazars in Middie East, there are several mosques constructed behind the Bazar, the most notable of them being Jame Mosque. Tabriz Bazar is one of Iran’s UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

Municipality Museum & Sa’at Tower

Sa’at Tower also known as Tabriz Municipality Palace is the city hall and main office of the municipal government of Tabriz, East Azerbaijan Province, Iran.

Tabriz Blue Mosque

The Blue Mosque of Tabriz was built upon the order of Jahan Shah the ruler of Kara Koyunlu dynasty which made Tabriz the capital of his Kingdom. His Kingdom covered major parts of modem Iran, Azerbaijan, and Turkey. He was killed by Uzun Hasan (the ruler of Ak Koyunlu) and buried in the mosque

Saint Stepanos Monastery

The St Stepanos Monastery or Monastery of St. Stephen the Protomartyr is an Armenian monastery about 15 km northwest of Jolfa city, East Azerbaijan Province northwest Iran. It is situated in a deep canyon along the Aras river on the Iranian side of the border between Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic and Iran. It was built in the 9th century and rebuilt in the Safavid era and after several earthquakes was damaged.

Kandovan village

Kandovan is a village in Sahand Rural District, in the Central District of Oskou County, East Azerbaijan Province. This village exemplifies manmade cliff dwellings winch are still inhabited. The troglodyte homes, excavated inside volcanic rocks and tuffs similar to dwellings in the Turkish region of Cappadocia, are locally called “Karan” Karans were cut into the Lahars (volcanic mudflow or debris flow) of Mount Sahand.

Maragheh Observatory

Maragheh observatory was an institutionalized astronomical center which was established in 1259 AD under the patronage of the Ilkhanid Hulagu and the directorship of Nasir al-Din al-Tousi, a Persian scientist and astronomer. Located in the heights west of Maragheh, which is today situated in the East Azerbaijan Province, it was once considered one of the most prestigious observatories in the world. It was financed by waqf revenues, which allowed it to continue to operate even after the death of its founder and was active for more than 50 years. The observatory served as a model for later observatories including the 15th-century Hugh Beg Observatory in Samarkand, the 16th-century Taqi al-Din observatory in Istanbul, and the 18th-century Jai Singh observatory in Jaipur, Considerable parts of the groundwork are preserved in the ruins. In a 340 to 135 m2 citadel-like area stood a four-story circular stone building of 28 m diameter. The mural quadrant to observe the positions of the stars and planets was aligned with the meridian. This served as prime meridian for the tables in the Zij-i Ilkhani, as we nowadays apply the meridian which passes the Royal Greenwich Observatory.

El-Guil

El-Guli is a large park in Tabriz. The park has a huge artificial lake in the middle of which sits a two-story building with traditional Tabrizi architecture. This park is a popular spot for morning exercise, a place where one can enjoy the intoxicating scent of flowers in the afternoon breeze and have a memorable meal in foe restaurant located on the first floor of the El-Guli building.

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Behnam House

Behnam House was built during the Zand dynasty (1750-1794) and Qajar dynasty (1785-1925). Magnificent stained glass windows and doors, stucco reliefs and wall paintings are part of the attractions of the Behnam House. The Behnam House is part of the Tabriz Architecture School of Art University

Alishah Arg

Alishah Arg of Tabriz is the remnants of a big citadel in downtown Tabriz. Arg’s structure is visible from far distances in downtown of Tabriz, if not blocked by newly high raised building. The nearest tourist attractions to the Arg are Bazar of Tabriz, Tarbiyat shopping center, Municipality mansion of Tabriz, Azerbaijan museum, Blue mosque, historical house of Nikdel, School of Architecture.

Garousi Traditional House

Garousi Traditional House is where the Qajar Museum of Tabriz is located. The house has an Andarouni (interior), which was the private quarters used by women and servants, and a Birouni (exterior), which was the public quarters mostly used by men. The rooms in the house have beautiful stained glass windows and doors, stucco reliefs and mirror decorations. Another notable feature of the house is the brick ceiling of its Howz Khaneh (pool house) which is located in the basement. The museum showcases old coins, weapons, porcelain, glass dishes, Khatam (inlaid wooden objects) and musical instruments.

Makidi Forest Valley

Makidi valley is a green and forest valley which has been located among Aras-Baran forests in north of east Azerbaijan and in Kaleybar County. Makidi valley in which Makidi forest Park exists, is one of the interesting places for tourists due to its many springs and pleasant weather. The more we go from east of Kaleybar to its north or west, we see denser forests and less steppe forest Makidi village has been located in this valley. The nearest tourist attractions to the valley is Aras-Baran forest.

Babak Fort

Babak Castle was constructed on top of a mountain with 2600-meter height, near Kaleybar. The castle has been used by Sasanids and formerly by the Parthian. This castle has adopted its name from Babak Khoramdin, a militant leader against Arab invaders.

(Chichakli Forest Area (Lost Paradise

Because of locating in Aras-Baran, Varzaqan county has excellent and intact views like Gol-Akhor village and waterfall, Chichakli region and Songon valley, together with historical monuments such as Jushin castle and Amir Arshad house are waiting for guests, and peerless handicrafts like lac and carpet weaving are presented to guests as souvenir.

East Azarbaijan