Tabriz (Persian: تبریز , Azerbaijani: Təbriz) is the largest city in north-western Iran with a population of 1.46 million people (2006 est.). Tabriz is situated north of the volcanic cone of Sahand south of the Eynali mountain. It is the capital of East Azarbaijan Province.

Historically, the founding of the city is shrouded in mystery. Most sources mention the Sassanid era, while others believe it to be even further back in history. After the Turkic invasion of Iran, Tabriz later became the capital of the Ilkhanate empire from about 1270 to 1305, of the Aq Quyunlu dynasty from about 1469 to about 1502, and of the Safavids from 1502-1548. It also fell under Ottoman rule for some time during the time of the Safavids.

Research by British Egyptologist and historian David Rohl suggests that the Biblical Garden of Eden was situated here. His findings were published in his book Legend: The Genesis of Civilisation and then made into a documentary for the Discovery Channel.

Violent earthquakes have wiped out most of the historic monuments of Tabriz. One important monument that has survived these earthquakes is the Tabriz Citadel (Ark-e Tabriz 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.

Tabriz is where the constitutionalists of Iran was centered during the early 20th century. 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.

Daytime temperatures usually reach at least 30 degrees Celsius (high 80s Fahrenheit) in July and August and drop below freezing in January.

Historically, much of the city's importance has resulted from its strategic position for trade to the north (now the Commonwealth of Independent States) and to the west (now Turkey). Tabriz, then known as Tauris, was in the 3rd century the capital of Armenia under King Tiridates III. It was sacked by the Oghuz Turks in 1029, but by 1054 Tabriz had recovered and was a provincial capital.

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.

Tabriz was captured by Timur in the late 14th century. Later Shah Ismail made it the capital of his empire from 1501 until his defeat in 1514 by the Ottoman Turks. The Ottomans occupied Tabriz on a number of occasions thereafter, including the period from 1585 to 1603. Nevertheless, by the 17th century it was a major commercial center, carrying on trade with Turkey, Russia, central Asia, and India. Later, the city was again occupied (1724) by the Ottomans, and it was held by Russia in 1828. Tabriz played an important part in the Persian constitutional movement at the beginning of the 20th century. After World War II it was the scene of a revolution led by the leftist Azerbijan-Democrat party and the Soviet Union. The new communist government held power for a few months in 1946, then retaken by Iran after the Soviet withdrawal. The city has often been devastated by earthquakes (e.g., in 858, 1041, and 1721).

The language in the city is Azerbaijani (a branch of Turkish language). The music and folksongs of Tabriz are popular and traditions have a long history among its people. The handicrafts in the Bazaar of Tabriz, and in particular the Tabriz rug is famous world-wide, and Tabrizis celebrate many holidays such as Norooz and Ashura in their own distinctive special ways. 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:


ساربانا بار بگشا ز اشتران

شهر تبريز است و کوی دلبران

Oh Sārbān, have camels' cargo unloaded,

For Tabriz is neighborhood of the beloved.

―Molana




عزیزی در اقصای تبریز بود

که همواره بیدار و شبخیز بود

A beloved lived in Tabriz 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 Tabriz, two things I need not worry of,

The half loaf of bread and the water of Mehran-rud are enough!

―Khaqani

Azerbaijan Museum

Measurement Museum

Tabriz Constitution House (Museum of Constitution)

Shahryar Literature Museum (House of Late Poet Shahryar)

Roshdiye School is the first Iranian modern school which is established by Hassan Roshdiyyeh. Currently its building is used as Tabriz branch of National Iranian Documents and Library Office.
Memorial School (American School of Tabriz) was opened on 1891 is one of the most famous schools of its type. After world war II the school is chenged to Parvin high school under Iran education ministry's management. Currently the high school is divided to three separate high schools.
Vahdat Technical College is another famous school in Tabriz. It is developed by Germans during World War II. Its main building has a Shape of A (the first letter of Germany in Germanina Language).

Hotel Pars

Tabriz Grand Hotel

Ark Hotel

Hotel Darya

Azerbaijan Hotel

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