View source for Tabriz

{{Short description|City in East Azerbaijan, Iran}}
{{for-multi|the administrative division of East Azerbaijan province|Tabriz County|the type of carpet|Tabriz rug}}
{{More citations needed|date=March 2024}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2023}}
{{Infobox settlement
| name               = Tabriz
| official_name      = 
| settlement_type    = City
| image_skyline      = {{multiple image
|perrow = 1/2/2/2
|border = infobox
|total_width = 300
|image1 = Panorama of Tabriz.jpg
|caption1 = Tabriz skyline
|image2 = Tabriz Municipality Sa'at Tower.jpg
|caption2 = [[Sa'at Tower|Tabriz Municipality Palace]]
|image3 = Eil Goli(SHAH GOLI) nights in Tabriz.jpg
|caption3 = [[El-Gölü]]
|image4 = Arg Alishah.png
|caption4 = [[Arg of Tabriz]]
|image5 = Goymachid.jpg
|caption5 = [[Blue Mosque, Tabriz|Blue Mosque]]
|image6 = Mozaffariyeh, Grand Bazzar of Tabriz, IRAN.jpg
|caption6 = [[Bazaar of Tabriz]]
|image7 = Tabriz, Iran 2013 (31) (15002673356).jpg
|caption7 = [[Maqbaratoshoara|Mausoleum of Poets]]
}}
| image_flag         = Flag of Tabriz.svg
| flag_size          = 
| image_seal         = Tabriz government logo.svg
| seal_size          = 
| image_shield       = 
| shield_size        = 
| nickname           = [[City of Firsts]]
| motto              = 
| image_map          = 
| mapsize            = 
| map_caption        = 
| pushpin_map        = Iran
| pushpin_mapsize    = 
| pushpin_map_caption = 
| pushpin_relief     = 1
| coordinates        = {{coord|38|04|54|N|46|17|57|E|dim:6km|display=inline,title}}
| coordinates_footnotes = <ref>{{Cite map |author=((OpenStreetMap contributors)) |url=https://www.openstreetmap.org/?mlat=38.081667&mlon=46.299167&zoom=13#map=13/38.08167/46.29917|website=[[OpenStreetMap]] |title=Tabriz, Tabriz County|date=6 September 2024|access-date=6 September 2024|lang=fa}}</ref>
| subdivision_type   = Country
| subdivision_name   = [[Iran]]
| subdivision_type1  = [[Regions of Iran|Region]]
| subdivision_type2  = [[Provinces of Iran|Province]]
| subdivision_type3  = [[Counties of Iran|County]]
| subdivision_type4  = [[Bakhsh|District]]
| subdivision_name1  = [[Region 3, Iran|3]]
| subdivision_name2  = [[East Azerbaijan province|East Azerbaijan]]
| subdivision_name3  = [[Tabriz County|Tabriz]]
| subdivision_name4  = [[Central District (Tabriz County)|Central]]
| established_title  = 
| established_date   = 
| government_footnotes = 
| leader_title       = Mayor
| leader_name        = Yaghoub Houshyar
| leader_title1      = [[City Council of Tabriz|Chairman of City Council]]
| leader_name1       = Rasoul Bargi
| leader_title2      = [[Tabriz, Osku and Azarshahr (electoral district)|Parliament]]
| leader_name2       = [[Ahmad Alirezabeighi|Alirezabeighi]], [[Zahra Saei|Saei]], [[Mohammad Hosein Farhanghi|Farhanghi]], [[Shahabaddin Bimegdar|Bimegdar]], [[Masoud Pezeshkian|Pezeshkian]] & [[Mohammad Esmaeil Saeidi|Saeidi]]
| unit_pref          = 
| area_footnotes     = 
| area_magnitude     = 
| area_total_km2     = 325
| area_land_km2      = 
| area_water_km2     = 
| area_water_percent = 
| area_urban_km2     = 512
| area_metro_km2     = 1500
| elevation_footnotes = 
| elevation_m        = 1351.4
| elevation_ft       = 
| population_urban   = 1,558,693<ref name="2016 East Azerbaijan Province"/>
| population_metro   = 1,773,023<ref>{{cite web |publisher=citypopulation.de |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180913144137/http://citypopulation.de/world/Agglomerations.html |url=http://citypopulation.de/world/Agglomerations.html |archive-date=2018-09-13 |title=Major Agglomerations of the World - Population Statistics and Maps |date=2018-09-13}}</ref>
| population_as_of   = 2016
| population_est     = 
| population_est_as_of = 
| population_footnotes = 
| population_density_km2 = 12000
| population_density_sq_mi = auto
| population_density_urban_km2 = 
| population_blank1_title = Rank
| population_blank1  = [[List of Iran cities by population|6th in Iran]]
| population_demonyms = Tabrizian, Tabrizli, Tabrizi
| postal_code_type   = [[Postal code]]
| postal_code        = 51368
| area_code          = 041
| website            = {{URL|https://tabriz.ir/}}
| timezone           = [[Iran Standard Time|IRST]]
| utc_offset         = +3:30
| native_name        = {{lang|fa|تبریز}}
| native_name_lang   = fa
}}
'''Tabriz''' ({{langx|fa|تبریز|tabriz}}; {{IPA|fa|tæbˈɾiːz|pron|Tabriz.ogg}}){{efn|{{Langx|azb|تبریز|label=[[Azerbaijani language|Azerbaijani]]}}}}  is a city in the [[Central District (Tabriz County)|Central District]] of [[Tabriz County]], in the [[East Azerbaijan province|East Azerbaijan]] province of northwestern Iran. It serves as capital of the province, the county, and the district.<ref name="East Azerbaijan Province Structure 2">{{cite report|title=Approval of the organization and chain of citizenship of the elements and units of the country divisions of East Azerbaijan province centered on the city of Tabriz|language=fa|website=rc.majlis.ir|via=Research Center of the System of Laws of the Islamic Council of the Farabi Library of Mobile Users|url=https://rc.majlis.ir/fa/law/show/113028|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130804122525/https://rc.majlis.ir/fa/law/show/113028|archive-date=4 August 2013|publisher=Ministry of Interior, Defense Political Commission of the Government Board|last=Habibi|date=c. 2013|orig-date=Approved 21 June 1369|first=Hassan|id=Notification 8284/2T142K|access-date=4 December 2023}}</ref> It is the [[List of largest cities of Iran|sixth-most-populous city]] in Iran.

Tabriz is in the [[Quri Chay|Quru River]] valley in Iran's historic [[Azerbaijan (Iran)|Azerbaijan]] region<ref>{{cite encyclopedia |title=AZERBAIJAN |url=http://www.iranicaonline.org/articles/azerbaijan-index |encyclopedia=Encyclopaedia Iranica, Vol. III, Fasc. 2–3 |pages=205–257 |year=1987 |access-date=2019-01-13 |archive-date=2013-01-23 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130123020411/http://www.iranicaonline.org/articles/azerbaijan-index |url-status=live }}</ref> between long ridges of volcanic cones in the [[Sahand]] and [[Eynali]] mountains. Tabriz's elevation ranges between {{cvt|1350|and|1,600|m|-1}} above sea level. The valley opens up into a plain that gently slopes down to the eastern shores of [[Lake Urmia]], {{cvt|60|km|0|abbr=off}} to the west. The city was named World Carpet Weaving City by the [[World Crafts Council]] in October 2015<ref name="WCC">{{cite web |title=Celebration of the 'World Carpet Weaving City' on 6 Oct, 2015, in Tabriz, Iran |url=http://wccapr.org/eventsimages.php?events_cat_id=15 |website=World Crafts Council Asia Pacific region |access-date=25 May 2017 |archive-date=19 September 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200919192400/https://wccapr.org/eventsimages.php?events_cat_id=15 |url-status=live }}</ref> and Exemplary Tourist City of 2018 by the [[Organisation of Islamic Cooperation]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://realiran.org/tabriz-named-as-exemplary-tourism-city-for-2018/ |title=Tabriz named as exemplary tourism city for 2018 |publisher=realiran |date=December 24, 2015 |access-date=July 9, 2016 |archive-date=October 21, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201021221752/http://realiran.org/tabriz-named-as-exemplary-tourism-city-for-2018/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www7.irna.ir/en/News/81893289/ |title=Tabriz selected OIC City of Tourism for 2018 |publisher=[[IRNA]] |date=December 24, 2015 |access-date=July 9, 2016 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160822081042/http://www7.irna.ir/en/News/81893289/ |archive-date=August 22, 2016}}</ref>

With a population of over 1.7 million (2016),<ref name="Statistical Center of Iran">{{cite web |title={{nq|نتايج سرشماري – جمعيت و خانوار به ترتيب استان، شهرستان}} |url=https://www.amar.org.ir/portals/0/census/1395/results/Census95_Khanevar_Jameiyat.xlsx |publisher=Statistical Center of Iran |access-date=2017-03-16 |archive-date=2017-03-14 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170314152211/https://www.amar.org.ir/portals/0/census/1395/results/Census95_Khanevar_Jameiyat.xlsx |url-status=live }}</ref> Tabriz is the largest economic hub and metropolitan area in northwest Iran. The population is bilingual with most people speaking [[Azerbaijani language|Azerbaijani]] as their native language and Persian as their second language.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.amar.org.ir/Portals/2/pdf/jamiat_shahrestan_keshvar3.pdf |location=Iran |title=2011 Census – Natayej |publisher=Statistical Centre |access-date=2008-02-27 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140703101259/http://www.amar.org.ir/Portals/2/pdf/jamiat_shahrestan_keshvar3.pdf |archive-date=2014-07-03 |url-status=dead}}</ref> Tabriz is a major heavy industries hub for automobiles, machine tools, refineries, petrochemicals, textiles and cement production industries.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://amar.sci.org.ir/Detail.aspx?Ln=F&no=258263&S=GW |publisher=Statistical Center of Iran |title=Results of national 2007 census |access-date=2013-02-11 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130725203451/http://amar.sci.org.ir/Detail.aspx?Ln=F&no=258263&S=GW |archive-date=2013-07-25}}</ref> The city is famous for its handicrafts, including hand-woven rugs and jewelry. Local confectionery, chocolate, dried nuts and traditional Tabrizi food are recognized throughout Iran as some of the best. Some of the most esteemed cultural institutions in northwest Iran are located in Tabriz, which is also a center for intellectual activity.

Tabriz contains many historical monuments, representing Iran's architectural transition throughout its long history. Most of Tabriz's preserved historical sites belong to [[Ilkhanid]], [[Safavid Iran|Safavid]] and [[Qajar Iran|Qajar]].<ref name="chap.sch.ir">{{cite web |url=http://chap.sch.ir/ketabDetail.asp?id=215 |department=Editorial Board |title=East Azerbaijan Geography |publisher=Iranian Ministry of Education |year=2000 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120110141117/http://chap.sch.ir/ketabDetail.asp?id=215 |archive-date=2012-01-10}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.tabrizcity.org/ |title=de beste bron van informatie over tabrizcity. Deze website is te koop! |publisher=tabrizcity.org |access-date=2012-04-02 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070216155119/http://www.tabrizcity.org/ |archive-date=2007-02-16 |url-status=dead}}</ref> Among these sites is the grand [[Bazaar of Tabriz]], which is designated a [[World Heritage Site]].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://whc.unesco.org/en/list/1346 |title=Tabriz Historic Bazaar Complex |work=UNESCO World Heritage Centre |publisher=UNESCO |date=2010-07-31 |access-date=2012-04-02 |archive-date=2018-07-06 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180706022511/https://whc.unesco.org/en/list/1346 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="Ali Assari">{{cite journal |last1=Assari |first1=Ali |first2=T. M. |last2=Mahesh |title=Compatitive Sustainability of bazaar in Iranian traditional cities: Case Studies in Isfahan and Tabriz |journal=International Journal on Technical and Physical Problems of Engineering |date=December 2011 |volume=3 |issue=9 |pages=18–24 |url=http://www.iotpe.com/IJTPE/IJTPE-2011/IJTPE-Issue9-Vol3-No4-Dec2011/3-IJTPE-Issue9-Vol3-No4-Dec2011-pp18-24.pdf |access-date=2013-01-07 |archive-date=2018-12-22 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181222163420/http://www.iotpe.com/IJTPE/IJTPE-2011/IJTPE-Issue9-Vol3-No4-Dec2011/3-IJTPE-Issue9-Vol3-No4-Dec2011-pp18-24.pdf |url-status=live }}</ref> From the early modern era, Tabriz was pivotal in the development of its three neighboring regions; namely the [[Caucasus]], [[Eastern Anatolia]] and Central Iran.<ref name="iranicaonline.org">{{cite encyclopedia |url=http://www.iranicaonline.org/articles/tabriz-05-city-in-19th-cent |title=TABRIZ v. The city in the 19th century |encyclopedia=Encyclopaedia Iranica |last=electricpulp.com |access-date=2015-05-25 |archive-date=2020-10-25 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201025143610/https://iranicaonline.org/articles/tabriz-05-city-in-19th-cent |url-status=live }}</ref> As the country's closest hub to Europe, many aspects of early modernization in Iran began in Tabriz.<ref name="iranicaonline.org" /> The Qajar dynasty was forced to cede the Caucasian territories to [[Imperial Russia]]  following the two [[Russo-Persian Wars]] in the first half of the 19th century. Until 1925, the city was the traditional residence of the Qajar crown princes.

== Etymology ==
According to some sources,<ref>Gholam-Reza Sabri-Tabrizi. ''Iran: A Child's Story, a Man's Experience'', International Publishers Co., 1989, p. 72, {{ISBN|0-7178-0682-0}}</ref> including ''[[Encyclopædia Britannica]]'',<ref name="britannica">{{cite web |url=http://www.britannica.com/eb/article-9070851/Tabriz |title=Tabriz – Iran |access-date=2007-09-10 |archive-date=2008-07-24 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080724233205/http://www.britannica.com/eb/article-9070851/Tabriz |url-status=live }}</ref> the name ''Tabriz'' derives from ''tap-riz'', meaning "flowing hot", in reference to the area's many [[thermal springs]].

Other sources<ref>"Tabrīz." Microsoft Encarta 2007 [DVD]. Redmond: Microsoft Corporation, 2006.</ref><ref>Samuel Graham Wilson. ''Persian Life and Customs'', Oliphant, Anderson and Ferrier, 1896, p.323</ref> claim that in AD 246, to avenge his brother's death, king [[Tiridates II of Armenia]] repelled [[Ardashir I]] of the [[Sassanid Empire]] and changed the name of the city from Shahistan to Tauris, deriving from in [[Grabar]] ''ta-vrezh'' "this revenge". In AD 297, it became the capital of [[Tiridates III of Armenia|Tiridates III]], king of Armenia.<ref name="eastwick327" /> However, this story is of popular origin and based on accounts of [[Vardan Areveltsi]], a 13th-century [[Armenians|Armenian]] historian; no ancient source records such an event.<ref name="EI2">{{EI2|first=V. |last=Minorsky|first2=C.E. |last2=Bosworth |first3=Blair |last3=Sheila S.|title=Tabrīz|volume=10 |url=http://dx.doi.org/10.1163/1573-3912_islam_COM_1137}}</ref> The historical Armenian name for the city was Tavrezh ({{Langx|hy|Թաւրէժ|translit=T'avrēž}}).<ref>{{Cite web |title=Պատմութիւն Հայոց - [ԺԸ] |url=http://digilib.aua.am/book/168/171/1609/ |access-date=2022-01-18 |website=digilib.aua.am |language=hy}}</ref>

''[[The Cambridge History of Iran]]''<ref>{{The Cambridge History of Iran|volume=2|chapter=Media|page=86|last=Diakonoff|first=I. M.|chapter-url=https://books.google.com/books?id=BBbyr932QdYC&pg=PA86}}</ref> points to a connection between the "ancient stronghold of Tarui-Tarmakisa" (or Tarwi-Tarwakisa), which existed in the [[8th century BC]],<ref>{{Cite book |title=Ecology and Empire: The Structure of the Urartian State |last=Zimansky |first=Paul E. |publisher=The Oriental Institute of the University of Chicago |date=January 1, 1985 |isbn=0918986419}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book |title=Une relation de la huitième campagne de Sargon (714 av. J.-C.) texte Assyrien inédit, publié et traduit |last=Thureau-Dangin |first=François |publisher=Paris Librairie Paul Geuthner |year=1912}}</ref> and the city of Tabriz; [[Ernst Herzfeld|Ernst Emil Herzfeld]]'s ''Archaeological History of Iran''<ref>{{Cite book |url=https://archive.org/details/in.gov.ignca.14939 |title=Archaeological History of Iran |last=Herzfeld |first=Ernst |date=1935 |publisher=British Academy |language=en}}</ref> directly equates ''Tarwakisa'' with Tabriz (cf [[Proto-Iranian]] ''[[wikt:Reconstruction:Proto-Indo-Iranian/tr̥Hwáns|tr̥Hwáns]]'' "able to overcome"). However, some researchers believe that Tabriz may be considered a pre-Iranian [[toponym]].{{citation needed|date=September 2019}}

== History ==
{{see also|Timeline of Tabriz|Azerbaijan (Iran)|History of the Caucasus|History of Iran}}

===Early history===
The early history of Tabriz is not well documented. The earliest civilization signs in the city belongs to an Iron Age grave yard of 1st millennium B.C. which were unearthed in late 1990s in northern side of [[Blue Mosque, Tabriz|Blue Mosque]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.eachto.ir/farsi/content/view/521/381/ |title=Iron Age excavation site's museum |language=fa |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100621040438/http://www.eachto.ir/farsi/content/view/521/381/ |archive-date=2010-06-21}}</ref> The city also inscribed as old as 714 B.C. on as Tarui or Tauris, on the Assyrian King [[Sargon II]]'s epigraph in 714 B.C.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://algebra21.tabrizu.ac.ir/en/contents/AboutTabriz/Tabriz.City.html |title=Introduction to Tabriz city |language=fa |publisher=University of Tabriz |access-date=2013-02-11 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130517034733/http://algebra21.tabrizu.ac.ir/en/contents/AboutTabriz/Tabriz.City.html |archive-date=2013-05-17}}</ref>

Egyptologist [[David Rohl]] suggested that the legendary [[Garden of Eden]] was near Tabriz. Archaeologist [[Eric H. Cline]] commented on Rohl's views, writing that "his suggestions have not caught on with the scholarly establishment. His argument is not helped by the fact that it depends upon speculations regarding the transmission of place-names for both the various rivers and nearby related areas from antiquity to the present. In the end, while Rohl's suggestion is not out of the question, it seems no more probable than any other hypothesis, and less likely than those suggested by Speiser, Zarins, and Sauer."<ref>{{cite book |last=Cline |first=Eric H. |title=From Eden to Exile: Unraveling Mysteries of the Bible |publisher=National Geographic |year=2007 |isbn=978-1-4262-0084-7 |page=10}}</ref>

Since the earliest documented history of Tabriz, it has been chosen as the capital for several rulers commencing from [[Atropates]] era and his dynasty. It is 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 3rd or 4th century AD, or later in the 7th century.<ref name="Cambridge">{{The Cambridge History of Iran|volume=1|first1=William Bayne |last1=Fisher |chapter=Physical Geography |page=14 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=I2pO-mttL50C&pg=PA14}}</ref> The city used to be called ''T'awrēš'' in [[Middle Persian]].

=== Middle Ages ===
[[File:Tabriz-16.PNG|thumb|16th-century schematic map of Tabriz by [[Matrakçı Nasuh]]]]
After the [[Muslim conquest of Persia|Muslim conquest of Iran]], the [[Arabia]]n [[Azd]] tribe from [[Yemen]] resided in Tabriz. The development of post-Islamic Tabriz began as of this time. The Islamic geographer [[Yaqut al-Hamawi]] says that Tabriz was a village before Rawwad from the tribe of Azd arrive at Tabriz.<ref name="EI2"/> In 791 AD, [[Zubaidah bint Ja'far|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.<ref name="chap.sch.ir" /><ref name="eastwick327">{{cite book |first=Edward Backhouse |last=Eastwick |title=Journal of a Diplomat's Three Years' Residence in Persia |publisher=Smith, Elder and Co. |year=1864 |page=327}}</ref>

In the 10th century, [[Ardabil]] briefly held the status of Azarbayjan's capital, only to be swiftly supplanted by Tabriz, situated 130 miles to the west. Tabriz swiftly rose to prominence as a pivotal commercial hub, facilitating trade between the Far East, Central Asia, and vital routes. It served as a nexus linking [[Mesopotamia]], the [[Mediterranean]], [[Anatolia]], [[Constantinople]], and extending northward through the [[Caucasus]] to the [[Ukraine]], [[Crimea]], and [[Eastern Europe]].<ref name="archive">{{Cite web |title=Iran under the Safavids
|url=https://archive.org/details/savory-1980-safavids/page/1/mode/1up |access-date=2025-02-05 |website=www.archive.com}} Iran under the Safavids, by [[Roger Savory]] /Page 1/ (New York, 1980), in 286 bookmarked and searchable pdf pages, with map and illustrations. Scanned by Robert Bedrosian. </ref>

In the [[Ramadan]] of 1208, Tabriz, as well as its adjacent cities and territories were conquered by the [[Kingdom of Georgia]] under [[Tamar of Georgia|Tamar the Great]], as a response to the massacre of 12,000 Christians in the Georgian-controlled city of [[Ani]] on [[Easter]] day by Muslims. In nearby [[Ardebil]], conquered by the [[Georgians]] as well, as many as 12,000 Muslims were killed.<ref>{{cite book |last1=L. Baker |first1=Patricia |last2=Smith |first2=Hilary |last3=Oleynik |first3=Maria |date=2014 |title=Iran |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=RT0bAgAAQBAJ |location=London, United Kingdom |publisher=Bradt Travel Guides |page=158 |isbn=978-1841624020 |access-date=2017-09-15 |archive-date=2020-09-03 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200903000833/https://books.google.com/books?id=RT0bAgAAQBAJ |url-status=live }}</ref> The [[Georgians]] then pushed further, taking [[Khoy]] and [[Qazvin]] along the way.<ref>{{cite book |last=Salia |first=Kalistrat |date=1983 |title=History of the Georgian nation |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=xjAhAQAAMAAJ |location=Madison, WI |publisher=University of Wisconsin |page=181 |access-date=2017-09-15 |archive-date=2020-09-03 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200903000841/https://books.google.com/books?id=xjAhAQAAMAAJ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite book |last=Mikaberidze |first=Alexander |date=2011 |title=Conflict and Conquest in the Islamic World: A Historical Encyclopedia, Volume 1 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=WjQfo3a1eVMC |location=Santa Barbara, California, US |publisher=ABC-CLIO |page=196 |isbn=978-1598843361 |access-date=2017-09-15 |archive-date=2020-09-03 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200903000843/https://books.google.com/books?id=WjQfo3a1eVMC |url-status=live }}</ref> Nevertheless, the city recovered soon and many western expediters who visited Tabriz in the 13th century on their way to the east were amazed by the richness of the city, its magnificent buildings and its institutions.<ref>Will Durant, The Reformation: The Story of Civilization, Volume VI, Chapter XXX.</ref> [[Marco Polo]], who passed Tabriz around 1275 while travelling on the Silk Road, described it as: "a great city surrounded by beautiful and pleasant gardens. It is excellently situated so the goods brought to here coming from many regions. Latin merchants specially Genevis go there to buy the goods that come from foreign lands."<ref>{{cite book |title=Marco Polo (1854) The travels of Marco Polo: the Venetian |publisher=G. Bell & sons |year=1854 |page=44}}</ref>

Chosen as a capital by [[Abaqa Khan]], fourth ruler of the Ilkhanate, for its favored location in the northwestern grasslands,<ref name="Morgan-p142">David Morgan, ''The Mongols'' p. 142</ref> in 1295, his successor [[Ghazan Khan]] made it the chief administrative centre of an empire stretching from [[Anatolia]] 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 caravansarais were erected to serve traders travelling on the ancient [[Silk Road]]. The [[Byzantine Empire|Byzantine]] [[Gregory Chioniades]] is said to have served as the city's [[Greek Orthodox|Orthodox]] bishop during this time.{{Citation needed|date=March 2008}} At the same time, the [[Dominican Order]] established a [[Catholic_Church_in_Iran#Middle_Ages|Latin mission in Tabriz]], which would become its own diocese under the [[archdiocese of Soltaniyeh]] for some decades in the 14th century.<ref name="Waterfield">{{cite book |last1=Waterfield |first1=Robin E. |title=Christians in Persia: Assyrians, Armenians, Roman Catholics and Protestants |date=2011 |publisher=Routledge |location=London |isbn=0042750016 |pages=52-53,72}}</ref>

From 1375 to 1468, Tabriz was the capital of [[Qara Qoyunlu]] state in Azerbaijan,<ref>V. Minorsky. "Jihān-Shāh Qara-Qoyunlu and His Poetry (Turkmenica, 9)", Bulletin of the School of Oriental and African Studies, University of London, Vol. 16, No. 2 (1954), p. 277</ref> until defeat of Qara Qoyunlu ruler, [[Jahan Shah]] by [[Ag Qoyunlu]] warriors. Ag Qoyunlus selected Tabriz as their capital from 1469 to 1501. Some of the existing historical monuments including the [[Blue Mosque, Tabriz|Blue Mosque]] belong to the Qara Qoyunlu period. Tabriz was sacked by [[Timur]] in 1392, and he invested his son, Miranshah, as governor of the city.{{sfn|Farhad|2017|p=490}}

===Early Modern Period===
{{wide image|11 Chardin Tabriz 1673.png|600px|Panoramic view of Tabriz sketched by [[Jean Chardin]], 1673}}
In 1501, [[Ismail I]] entered Tabriz and proclaimed it the capital of his [[Safavid]] state. In 1514, after the [[Battle of Chaldiran]], Tabriz was sacked by [[Selim I]].{{sfn|Fetvacı|2013|p=27}} On 16 July 1534, prior to [[Capture of Baghdad (1534)|Ottoman conquest of Baghdad]], [[Pargalı Ibrahim Pasha]] occupied Tabriz.<ref>{{cite book |title=Suleiman the Magnificent |author=André Clot |page=91 |year=1983}}</ref> In 1555, [[Tahmasp I]] transferred its capital to [[Qazvin]] to avoid the growing threat of the Ottoman army to his capital.

Between 1585 and 1603, Tabriz was under occupation by [[Ottoman Empire|Ottomans]]. After it was retaken by the [[Safavid]]s under [[Abbas the Great]], the city grew as a major commerce centre, conducting trade with the [[Ottoman Empire]], Russia, and the [[Caucasus]].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.academia.edu/2021121 |title=The Safavid Economy as Part of the World Economy |access-date=26 December 2014 |last1=Matthee |first1=Rudolph (Rudi)}}</ref> Tabriz was occupied and sacked by Ottoman [[Murad IV]] in 1635, during the [[Ottoman–Safavid War (1623–39)]], before being returned to Iran in the [[Treaty of Zohab]] in 1639. The city was completely devastated by a strong [[1641 Tabriz earthquake|earthquake in 1641]].<ref name="Melville">{{cite journal |last1=Melville |first1=Charles |title=Historical Monuments and Earthquakes in Tabriz |journal=Iran |date=1981 |volume=19 |pages=159–177 |doi=10.2307/4299714 |url=https://doi.org/10.2307/4299714 |publisher=[[Taylor & Francis]] |jstor=4299714|url-access=subscription }}</ref> The [[Order of Friars Minor Capuchin|Capuchins]] founded a small house in the city around 1656.<ref name="Waterfield" />

In summer of [[1721 Tabriz earthquake|1721, a large earthquake]] shocked Tabriz, killing about eighty thousand of its residents. The devastation continued in 1724–1725, when the city was [[Ottoman–Persian War (1722–27)|invaded by an Ottoman army]]. During this round of invasion, the Ottomans imprisoned many in Tabriz and killed about two hundred thousand residents.<ref>Tadeusz Jan Krusiński, Du Cerceau (Jean-Antoine, père), The history of the revolution of Persia, Volume 1, Edition of Father du Cerceau, London 1728</ref> The city was subsequently retaken by the Iranian army, after which a widespread famine, combined with the spread of fatal diseases, killed more of those who still remained. In addition, another earthquake is disputed to have occurred in [[1727 Tabriz earthquake|1727]] further adding to the region's instability at the time.<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Howells |first=D. A. |date=July 1983 |title=A history of Persian earthquakes, by N. N. Ambraseys and C. P. Melville, Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, 1982. No. of pages: 219. Price: £35 |url=https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/eqe.4290110412 |journal=Earthquake Engineering & Structural Dynamics |language=en |volume=11 |issue=4 |pages=591 |doi=10.1002/eqe.4290110412 |bibcode=1983EESD...11..591H |issn=0098-8847}}</ref> In [[1780 Tabriz earthquake|1780, a major earthquake]] hit near Tabriz and killed as many as two hundred thousand people, leaving only about thirty thousand survivors.<ref>{{cite web |first=David |last=Hall |url=http://across.co.nz/WorldsWorstDisasters.html |title=Worlds Worst Natural Disasters |publisher=Across.co.nz |date=1999-12-14 |access-date=2012-04-02 |archive-date=2011-08-09 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110809232011/http://across.co.nz/WorldsWorstDisasters.html |url-status=live }}</ref>

At the end of the 18th century, the city was divided into several districts, each ruled by a family, until 1799, when the Qajar Prince [[Abbas Mirza]] was appointed as the governor of the city.<ref>Moše Šārôn, Studies in Islamic History and Civilization: In Honour of Professor David Ayalon, Jerusalem 1986.</ref> During the [[Qajar Iran|Qajar Empire]] the city was the residence for the crown prince. The crown prince normally served as governor of Azerbaijan province as well. Some of the most important events in this period [[Russo-Persian Wars|were the wars]] between Qajar Iran and neighbouring [[Imperial Russia]]. Prior to the forced cession of Iran's Caucasian territories—comprising what is now [[Georgia (country)|Georgia]], southern [[Dagestan]], [[Azerbaijan]], and [[Armenia]]—to Imperial Russia following the two [[Russo-Persian Wars]] of the first half of the 19th century, Tabriz, being strategically located, was instrumental to the implementation of Iranian rule in its Caucasian territories. During the last Russo-Persian War ([[Russo-Persian War (1826-1828)|1826–1828]]), the city was captured for [[Russia]] in 1828 by General Prince Eristov, who marched into the city with 3,000 soldiers.<ref name="books.google.nl">''[https://books.google.com/books?id=sP_hVmik-QYC&pg=PA591 First Encyclopaedia of Islam: 1913–1936] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200903000929/https://books.google.com/books?id=sP_hVmik-QYC&pg=PA591 |date=2020-09-03 }}'' BRILL, 1993 {{ISBN|9004097961}} p. 591</ref> After Abbas Mirza and [[Ivan Paskevich]] signed [[Treaty of Turkmenchay|the peace treaty]], which granted for the irrevocable cession of the last remaining [[Caucasus|Caucasian]] territories, the Russian army retreated from the city. Nevertheless, Russian political and military influence remained a major force in Tabriz and north-northwestern Iran even until the fall of the Russian empire in the early 20th century.<ref name="books.google.nl" /> After the retreat of the Russian army, [[Abbas Mirza]], the Qajar Crown Prince, launched a modernization scheme from Tabriz, during which he introduced Western-style institutions, imported industrial machinery, installed the first regular postal service, and undertook military reforms in the city. He also began a rebuilding campaign and established a modern taxation system.<ref name="Gregorian2008">{{cite book |author=Vartan Gregorian |title=The Road to Home: My Life and Times |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ItHMQaSdGEIC |date=30 June 2008 |publisher=Simon and Schuster |isbn=978-1-4391-2911-1 |access-date=20 June 2015 |archive-date=3 September 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200903000918/https://books.google.com/books?id=ItHMQaSdGEIC |url-status=live }}</ref>

<gallery class="center">
File:Tabriz by Eugène Flandin.jpg|[[Saheb-ol-Amr Mosque]] and [[Quri Chay|Quru]] river, [[Eugène Flandin]] 1841.
File:City Gate , Tabriz by Eugène Flandin.jpg|Sketch of the gate of Tabriz, [[Eugène Flandin]] 1841.
File:House Hussein Khan, Tabriz by Eugène Flandin.jpg|A sketch of a 19th-century house in Tabriz, [[Eugène Flandin]].
File:Jules Laurens 16.jpg|Painting of [[Blue Mosque, Tabriz|Blue mosque]], [[Jules Laurens]], 1872.
</gallery>

=== Contemporary era ===
{{see also|Tabriz during World War I}}
{{further|Persian campaign (World War I)|Caucasus campaign}}
Thanks to the geographical closeness to the West and to communications with nearby countries' enlightenment movements, Tabriz became the centre of the [[Iranian Constitutional Revolution]] movements between 1905 and 1911, which led to the establishment of a parliament in Iran and the formation of a constitution. [[Sattar Khan]] and [[Bagher Khan]], two Tabrizi reformists who led Tabriz people's solidarity against the absolute monarchy, had a great role in achievement to the goals of Iran's constitutional revolution. In 1909, Tabriz was occupied by the Russian forces.{{sfn|Cronin|2013|page=323}} Four months after the constitutional revolution's success, in December 1911, the Russians [[Russian Invasion of Tabriz, 1911|reinvaded Tabriz]]. After crushing the local resistance by invading Russian troops, they started suppressing the constitutional revolutionaries and residents of the city. Following the invasion, Russian troops executed about 1,200 of Tabriz residents.<ref name="JavadiBrowne2008">{{cite book |author1=Hasan Javadi |author2=Edward Granville Browne |title=Letters from Tabriz: The Russian Suppression of the Iranian Constitutional Movement |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Xy13AAAAMAAJ |year=2008 |publisher=Mage Publishers |isbn=978-1-933823-25-6 |access-date=2015-10-19 |archive-date=2020-09-03 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200903000921/https://books.google.com/books?id=Xy13AAAAMAAJ |url-status=live }}</ref> As a result of the campaign, Tabriz was occupied by the Russian forces between 1911 and 1917.{{sfn|Cronin|2013|page=323}}
<gallery class="center">
File:Tabriz Map 1908.jpg|Siege of Tabriz during [[Persian Constitutional Revolution|Constitutional Revolution]], September 27, 1908.
File:Revolutionists defending Davachi bridge, Tabriz (May 1, 1909).jpg|Constitutional revolutionists defending Davachi bridge against monarchists, May 1, 1909.
File:TabrizRevolutionaries.JPG|Constitutionals in Tabriz, 1911.
Arg-Tabriz-USA.jpg|Ark of Tabriz and US flag in the days after constitutional revolution, 1911.
</gallery>

From the very start of [[World War I]], Iran declared neutrality. When the war erupted on a full scale, Tabriz and much of northwestern-northern Iran had already been ''de facto'' occupied by Russia for several years. In later years of World War I, the [[Ottoman Empire|Ottoman]] troops intervened and took control of the city by defeating the Russian troops stationed there.<ref name="books.google.nl" /> By this time, the Ottoman army led by [[Enver Pasha]] threatened the whole [[Russian Caucasus Army (World War I)|Russian army]] in the Caucasus region.<ref name="books.google.nl" /> Russian troops recaptured the city from the Ottomans at a later stage of the war. By escalation of the [[October Revolution|revolution in Russia]], the Russian armies in Iranian Azerbaijan were evacuated, and the actual power passed into the hands of the local committee of the democrat party, with Ismail Nawbari at its head.<ref name="books.google.nl" /> Following Russia's retreat, the Ottomans captured the city once again for a few months until the decisive end of the war, and retreated thereafter. After World War I, a new era in the county's history began. [[Reza Shah|Reza Pahlavi]], brigadier-general of the [[Persian Cossack Brigade]], declared himself the king of the country following a [[coup d'état]]. He started with promises of modernization programs in Iran which was concentrated on the unification of the country, under the idea of ''one country, one nation''. This included centralization of the power and imposing restrictions on the local culture, heritage, and language in Iranian Azerbaijan, and the city of Tabriz.<ref>T. Atabaki, Azerbaijan: Ethnicity and the Struggle for Power in Iran, I.B Tauris, 2000, p. 53.</ref> The modernization and nationalization plan of Reza Shah continued until the surge of World War II.

At the final year of the [[World War II]] despite the declaration of the neutrality by the Iranian government, the country was occupied by the allied forces. The allied forces then urged Reza Pahlavi to abdicate and installed his son [[Mohammad Reza Shah Pahlavi|Mohammad Reza]] as the new king of the country. The postwar situation was further complicated by [[Soviet Union|Soviet]] aid to set up a local government called [[Azerbaijan People's Government]] in Northwest [[Iran]], having Tabriz as its capital. The new Soviet-backed local government was run by [[Ja'far Pishevari]] and held power for one year starting from 1946. Pishevari's government gave more freedom to speech and education in Azerbaijani language and promoted local cultural heritage and gained some popularity among the residents. However, after the withdrawal of Soviet forces, Pishevari's limited armed forces were crushed by the Imperial Iranian army and the Iranian government retook control of the city. One of the major establishments in the period of Pishevari's government was opening of the [[University of Tabriz]] which played a major role in the later political movements and protests in the region.<ref>Maziar Behrooz, Rebels with a cause: failure of left in Iran, I.B. Tauris, 2000.</ref><ref>{{cite journal |first=Brenda |last=Shaffer |title=Formation of an Azerbaijani collective identity in Iran, Nationalities Papers, vol. 28 (3), 2000 |journal=Nationalities Papers |volume=28 |issue=3 |pages=449–477 |doi=10.1080/713687484 |year=2000 |s2cid=64801609}}</ref>
<gallery class="center">
Russian flag on top of Ark, 1911.png|[[Russian Invasion of Tabriz, 1911]].
File: Soviet six horse foot artillery team on the streets of Tabriz.jpg|Soviet artillery units passing through Tabriz, World War II.
File: Soviet tankmen of the 6th Armoured Division drive through the streets of Tabriz (2).jpg|Soviet Tank and troops marching through Tabriz, World War II.
File: Soviet tankmen of the 6th Armoured Division drive through the streets of Tebriz.jpg|Soviet T-26 Tank passing through the main street of Tabriz, World War II.
</gallery>

For the next 30 years, after the collapse of Azerbaijan's autonomous government, Tabriz enjoyed a stable era until the revolution in 1979. During this period the city received significant investment in its industries and transformed into a heavy-industry hub in the northwestern Iran. The need for a strong workforce increased immigration from all around Azerbaijan toward Tabriz. During this era and because of the continuous policy of the government centralization in Tehran as well as changes in communication and transportation, the city lost its historical dominance, but turned into the gate for reform and modernization of the country.

Starting with 1978 and with the heat of the [[Iranian Revolution]], revolutionary movements of some of Tabriz residents played a major role in the revolution. After the revolution, the residents of the city were unsatisfied with the outcome, mainly because of the ignorance of the revolutionary government about the rights of the Azerbaijani minority.{{citation needed|date=November 2014}} Another major source of dissatisfaction was the support of most of Iranian Azerbaijanis including Tabriz residents from a more liberal cleric, Grand Ayatollah [[Mohammad Kazem Shariatmadari|Shariatmadari]], who was against the content of the new constitution which was mixing religion and state together. The unrest in the city calmed down after brutal crush of the protesters in Tabriz and after house arrest of Shariatmadari.<ref name="Stempel2009">{{cite book |author=John D Stempel |title=Inside the Iranian Revolution |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=pi6TQQAACAAJ |date=1 August 2009 |publisher=Clark Group |isbn=978-0-9825057-2-4 |access-date=2015-06-20 |archive-date=2020-09-03 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200903000925/https://books.google.com/books?id=pi6TQQAACAAJ |url-status=live }}</ref>

[[File:Tabriz Aerial View.JPG|thumb|Aerial view of northeast Tabriz, May 2012]]

In the 1980s, due to the [[Iran–Iraq War]], like the rest of the country, most of the construction and development projects in the city were stopped in order to fund the war costs. In addition to the indirect effects of the war, city's industrial zone, especially the oil refinery was also a major target for airstrikes by Iraqi's air forces because of the closeness to the Iraqi borderlines, and their strategic roles in the country's economy. With the escalation of the war, the attacks turned to [[War of the Cities]] and the air attacks later turned into the random strikes on the residential areas of the city in the later phase of the war.<ref>R. Bergquist, The role of airpower in the Iran-Iraq War, Air University Press, Washington DC, 1988. p. 46. & 57.</ref>
[[File:Roshdiyeh Tabriz.jpg|thumb|Roshdie]]
In recent years{{When|date=October 2023}}, Tabriz is much more stable and the new developments in the city are rapidly changing the face of the city.

===Capital of dynasties, empires, and kingdoms before modern day===
Tabriz was chosen as the capital by several rulers commencing from the time of [[Atropates]]. It was the capital of the [[Ilkhanate]] (Mongol) dynasty since 1265. During the [[Ghazan]] Khan era, who came into power in 1295, the city reached its highest splendour. The later realm stretched from the [[Amu Darya]] in the East to the [[Egypt]] borders in the West and from the [[Caucasus]] in the North to the Indian Ocean in the South.<ref>Wood, John E. and Tucker, Ernest (2006) History and Historiography of Post-Mongol Central Asia and the Middle East, Otto Harrassowitz Gmbh & Co and KG Wiesbaden, p. 530.</ref> It was again the capital of Iran during the [[Qara Qoyunlu]] dynasty from 1375 to 1468 and then during the [[Ag Qoyunlu]] within 1468–1500 and it was capital of Iran in the [[Safavid dynasty|Safavid]] period from 1501 [[Ottoman-Safavid War (1532-1555)|until their defeat in 1555]].<ref>Richard Tapper. "Shahsevan in Safavid Persia", ''Bulletin of the School of Oriental and African Studies'', University of London, Vol. 37, No. 3, 1974, p. 324. See also, Lawrence Davidson, Arthur Goldschmid, "A Concise History of the Middle East", Westview Press, 2006, p. 153; and [http://concise.britannica.com/ebc/article-9377424/Safavid-dynasty Britannica Concise. "Safavid Dynasty", Online Edition 2007] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080120194533/http://concise.britannica.com/ebc/article-9377424/Safavid-dynasty |date=2008-01-20}}</ref>

During the [[Persia under Qajar dynasty|Qajar]] dynasty, Tabriz was used as residence centre of Iranian Crown Prince (1794–1925).

=== Excavation sites ===
{{See also|Iron Age museum}}

In 2002, during a construction project at the north side of the [[Blue Mosque, Tabriz|Blue Mosque]] (Part of [[Silk Road]] Project), an ancient graveyard was revealed. This was kept secret until a construction worker alerted the authorities. Radiocarbon analysis by Allameh Tabatabai University has shown the background of the graves to be more than 3,800 years old. A museum of these excavations including the [[Blue Mosque, Tabriz|Blue Mosque]] was opened to the public in 2006.

The other excavation site is in Abbasi Street at the site of [[Rab'-e Rashidi]], which was the location for an academic institution since approximately 700 years ago. It was established in [[Ilkhanid]] period.

==Demographics==
=== Language ===
{{main|Azerbaijani language#Iranian Azerbaijani}}
{{See also|Old Azeri}}
The predominant language spoken in Tabriz is [[Azerbaijani language]] ([[Azerbaijanis|Azerbaijani people]] call it ''Turku'' (''تۆرکۆ'') or ''Turki'' (تۆرکی) language), which is a [[Turkic language]] mutually intelligible with modern [[Turkish dialects]]. The language has a strong Iranian [[Stratum (linguistics)|superstratum]] since it has been in close contact with the Persian language for many centuries. Similar to the other parts of Iran, the official language is [[Persian language|Persian]] and the most inhabitants have native or near-native knowledge of [[Persian language]], which is the major medium of education.<ref name="chap.sch.ir" /> Nevertheless, the [[Constitution of Iran|Iranian constitution]] respects the right to speak and have limited educational facilities in other native languages, including Azerbaijani. For the first time, an academic program on Azerbaijani language opened at the [[University of Tabriz]] in 1999.<ref>Rasmus Christian Elling, Minorities in Iran: Nationalism and Ethnicity after Khomeini, Palgrave 2013</ref> Other than Azerbaijani, there is a notable minority of [[Armenian language|Armenian]] speakers and a smaller minority of [[Assyrian Neo-Aramaic]] speakers.

[[File:A Page from the only manuscript of Safina-ye Tabrizi.jpg|thumb|A page from the only manuscript of ''[[Safina-yi Tabriz]]''. It contains a Persian and a Pahlavi poem]]

It is believed that before the gradual increase and the dominance of Azerbaijani language in the area, other [[Iranian languages]] similar to Persian were spoken in [[Azerbaijan (Iran)|Azerbaijan]] and Tabriz.<ref>Jean During, "The Spirit of Sounds: The Unique Art of Ostad Elahi", Cornwall Books, 2003, p172:"Maraghi (15th century) mentions the Turkish and the Shirvani tambour, which had two strings tuned in second (which the Kurds and Lors call Farangi) and was quite popular among the inhabitants of Tabriz (a region which was not yet Turkish speaking at the time) "</ref><ref>R. N. Frye, "Peoples of Iran" in Encyclopædia Iranica. Excerpt: "The long and complex history of Azari (q.v.), a major Iranian language and the original language of the region, and its partial replacement with Azerbaijani Turkic language, the present-day language of Azerbaijan, is surveyed in detail and with a wealth of citations from historical sources elsewhere in the Encyclopaedia (see Azerbaijan vii). Although the original Azari gradually lost its stature as the prevalent language by the end of the 14th century</ref><ref>Azari, the Old Iranian Language of Azerbaijan", Encyclopædia Iranica, op. cit., Vol. III/2, 1987 by E. Yarshater.</ref> The 13th-century manuscript [[Safina-yi Tabriz]] has poems in what its Tabriz-born author has called the Tabrizi language (''Zabān-e-Tabrizi'') which is similar to [[Persian language|Persian]].<ref>صادقی, علی اشرف 1379: چند شعر به زبان کرجی, تبریزی و غیره ... در مجله ی زبان شناسی, سال پانزدهم, شماره ی دوم, پاییز و زمستان Ali Asghar Sadeqi, "Some poems in the Karaji, Tabrizi and others" in Zabān-Shenasi(Persian), Year 15, No.2 (Fall and Winter), 1379 (2001).</ref>

=== Religion ===
After being crowned at Tabriz in 1501, [[Ismail I|Shah Ismail I]] announced the [[Twelver]] branch of [[Shia Islam]] as the official religion of the [[Safavid Empire]]. As a result of this royal order, the mostly [[Sunni]] population of Tabriz was force converted to Shiism.<ref>John A A Boyle (Editor), Persia: History and Heritage, Routledge, 2011, p:38</ref><ref>Melissa L. Rossi (2008), ''What Every American Should Know about the Middle East'', Penguin, {{ISBN|978-0-452-28959-8}}, <q>Forced conversion in the Safavid Empire made Persia for the first time dominantly Shia and left a lasting mark: Persia, now Iran, has been dominantly Shia ever since, and for centuries the only country to have a ruling Shia majority.</q></ref> Currently, the majority of people are followers of Shia Islam.

The city has a visible [[Armenian Apostolic Church|Armenian Apostolic]] minority who follow [[Christianity]]. There used to be a small [[Jewish]] community, but most of them have moved to [[Tehran]].<ref name="chap.sch.ir" /> There is also a small, embattled community of the [[Baháʼí Faith]] in the city.<ref>Phyllis G. Jestice (Edit.), Holy People of the World: A Cross-cultural Encyclopedia, 2004, p. 92.</ref>

===Population===
{{Historical populations|1956|289,996|1966|403,413|1976|1,074,173|1991|1,088,985|1996|1,191,043|align=right|footnote=source:<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.citypopulation.de/en/iran/cities/ |title=Iran: Provinces and Cities population statistics |access-date=2020-02-13 |archive-date=2020-01-25 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200125091525/https://www.citypopulation.de/en/iran/cities/ |url-status=live }}</ref>|2006|1,398,060|2011|1,494,998|2016|1,558,693|footnote 2=source:<ref>{{cite web |url=https://irandataportal.syr.edu/wp-content/uploads/1956-census-.pdf |title= First Census of Iran: November 1956 |access-date=2024-02-24 }}</ref>|footnote 3=source:<ref>{{cite web |url=https://irandataportal.syr.edu/wp-content/uploads/1966-census.pdf |title= National Census of Population and Housing November 1966 |access-date=2024-02-24 }}</ref>|footnote 4=source:<ref>{{cite web |url=https://irandataportal.syr.edu/wp-content/uploads/1976-census.pdf |title= National Census of Population and Housing November 1976 |access-date=2024-02-24 |archive-date=1976-08-10 |archive-url=https://irandataportal.syr.edu/census |url-status=live }}</ref>|footnote 5=ASBAGH, NARMIN BABAZADEH. “A short glimpse to the urban development of Tabriz during the history.” Journal of Contemporary Urban Affairs, vol. 3, no. 2, 1 Dec. 2019, pp. 73–83, https://doi.org/10.25034/ijcua.2018.4703.|0.1=1300|0.12=≈125,000|0.21=1400|0.22=≈150,000|0.31=1500|0.32=≈250,000}}The Iranian national census was first completed in 1956 and published decennially until 2006, when, thereafter, the Statistical Center of Iran began to conduct them every five years.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Iran Data Portal |url=https://irandataportal.syr.edu/census |access-date=2024-03-26 |website=Iran Data Portal |publisher=Syracuse University}}</ref> The 1976 census notes a total population more than double of the decade before, a result of rural to urban migration during the [[White Revolution]]. At the time of the 2006 National Census, the city's population was 1,378,931 in 378,329 households.<ref name="2006 East Azerbaijan Province">{{cite report|title=Census of the Islamic Republic of Iran, 1385 (2006): East Azerbaijan Province|language=fa|publisher=The Statistical Center of Iran|website=amar.org.ir|url=http://www.amar.org.ir/DesktopModules/FTPManager/upload/upload2360/newjkh/newjkh/03.xls|access-date=25 September 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110920092432/http://www.amar.org.ir/DesktopModules/FTPManager/upload/upload2360/newjkh/newjkh/03.xls|format=Excel|archive-date=20 September 2011}}</ref> The following census in 2011 counted 1,495,452 people in 455,494 households.<ref name="2011 East Azerbaijan Province">{{cite report|title=Census of the Islamic Republic of Iran, 1390 (2011): East Azerbaijan Province|website=irandataportal.syr.edu|via=Iran Data Portal, Syracuse University|language=fa|publisher=The Statistical Center of Iran|url=https://irandataportal.syr.edu/wp-content/uploads/East-Azerbaijan.xls|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230116202318/https://irandataportal.syr.edu/wp-content/uploads/East-Azerbaijan.xls|archive-date=16 January 2023|access-date=19 December 2022|format=Excel}}</ref> The 2016 census measured the population of the city as 1,558,693 people in 497,898 households.<ref name="2016 East Azerbaijan Province">{{cite report|title=Census of the Islamic Republic of Iran, 1395 (2016): East Azerbaijan Province|language=fa|publisher=The Statistical Center of Iran|website=amar.org.ir|url=https://www.amar.org.ir/Portals/0/census/1395/results/abadi/CN95_HouseholdPopulationVillage_03.xlsx|access-date=19 December 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201113123618/https://www.amar.org.ir/Portals/0/census/1395/results/abadi/CN95_HouseholdPopulationVillage_03.xlsx|format=Excel|archive-date=13 November 2020}}</ref> The majority of the city's population are [[Iranian Azerbaijanis|Azerbaijani people]], followed by [[Persian people|Persians]], [[Kurdish people|Kurds]], [[Iranian Armenians|Armenians]], [[Iranian Assyrians|Assyrians]], and other [[People of Caucasus]].<ref>{{cite book |title=Iran, a Country Study |editor-first=Helen Chapin |editor-last=Metz |editor-link=Helen Chapin Metz |publisher=Federal Research Division |year=1989 |url=https://countrystudies.us/iran/40.htm |pages=89–90 |quote="In addition, during the 1970s there was substantial migration of rural Kurds to such historic Kurdish cities as Bakhtaran (known as Kermanshah until 1979), Sanandaj, and Mahabad, as well as to larger towns such as Baneh, Bijar, Ilam, Islamabad (known as Shahabad until 1979), Saqqez, Sar-e Pol-e Zahab, and Sonqor. Educated Kurds also migrated to non-Kurdish cities such as Karaj, Tabriz, and Tehran." }}</ref>

== Geography ==
=== Topography ===
Tabriz is located in northwest of [[Iran]] in [[East Azerbaijan]] province between [[Eynali]] and [[Sahand]] mountains in a fertile area inshore of [[Aji Chay|Aji River]] and [[Quri River]].
The local area is earthquake-prone and during its history, the city has been devastated and rebuilt several times.

=== Climate ===
Tabriz has a [[Semi-arid climate|cold semi-arid climate]] ([[Köppen climate classification|Köppen]]: ''BSk'', [[Trewartha climate classification|Trewartha]]: ''BS'') bordering on a [[humid continental climate]] with hot summers ([[Köppen climate classification|Köppen]]: ''Dsa'', [[Trewartha climate classification|Trewartha]]: ''Dc''). The annual precipitation is around {{cvt|260|mm|in|0}}, a good deal of which falls as [[snow]] during the [[winter]] months and [[rain]] in [[spring (season)|spring]] and [[autumn]]. The city enjoys a mild and fine climate in spring and autumn, is hot and dry in summer, while snowy and cold in winter. The average annual temperature is {{cvt|13.1|°C}}. Cool winds blow from east to west, mostly in summer.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.worldclimate.com/ |title=Climate data for Tabriz, 1963–1990 |access-date=2013-03-24 |archive-date=2011-02-08 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110208173133/http://www.worldclimate.com/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

[[Jean Chardin]], a French traveler, visited Tabriz during the Safavid era, noting the climate in Tabriz in his travel logs: "Cold weather exists for most of the year. Since the city is northerly, snow exists on the peaks of its mountains for nine months out of the year. The wind blows during mornings and nights, while rain showers form in all seasons except summer. The weather is relatively cloudy the entire year."<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Asbagh |first=Narmin Babazadeh |date=2019-12-01 |title=A Short Glimpse to the Urban Development of Tabriz during the History |url=https://ijcua.com/index.php/ijcua/article/view/113 |journal=Journal of Contemporary Urban Affairs |language=en |volume=3 |issue=2 |pages=73–83 |doi=10.25034/ijcua.2018.4703 |issn=2475-6164|doi-access=free }}</ref>

Highest recorded temperature: {{cvt|42.0|°C}} on 26 July 1966<br>Lowest recorded temperature: {{cvt|-25.0|°C}} on 20 January 1964<ref name=extremes/>
{{Weather box
|location = Tabriz (1991–2020 normals, extremes 1951–present)
|metric first = Y
|single line = Y
|Jan record high C = 16.0
|Feb record high C = 19.0
|Mar record high C = 25.6
|Apr record high C = 31.2
|May record high C = 33.8
|Jun record high C = 39.0
|Jul record high C = 42.0
|Aug record high C = 41.0
|Sep record high C = 38.0
|Oct record high C = 30.6
|Nov record high C = 23.4
|Dec record high C = 21.8
|year record high C = 42.0
|Jan high C = 3.6
|Feb high C = 6.5
|Mar high C = 12.1
|Apr high C = 17.9
|May high C = 23.7
|Jun high C = 30.0
|Jul high C = 33.6
|Aug high C = 33.7
|Sep high C = 28.9
|Oct high C = 21.5
|Nov high C = 12.3
|Dec high C = 5.7
|Jan mean C = -1.2
|Feb mean C = 1.3
|Mar mean C = 6.5
|Apr mean C = 12.1
|May mean C = 17.4
|Jun mean C = 23.3
|Jul mean C = 26.6
|Aug mean C = 26.6
|Sep mean C = 21.8
|Oct mean C = 14.8
|Nov mean C = 6.7
|Dec mean C = 1.0
|Jan low C = -5.3
|Feb low C = -3.4
|Mar low C = 1.1
|Apr low C = 6.2
|May low C = 11.0
|Jun low C = 16.3
|Jul low C = 20.1
|Aug low C = 20.0
|Sep low C = 15.0
|Oct low C = 8.7
|Nov low C = 2.0
|Dec low C = −3.0
|Jan record low C = -25.0
|Feb record low C = -22.0
|Mar record low C = -19.0
|Apr record low C = -12.0
|May record low C = -0.1
|Jun record low C = 4.0
|Jul record low C = 7.0
|Aug record low C = 10.0
|Sep record low C = 4.0
|Oct record low C = -4.0
|Nov record low C = -17.0
|Dec record low C = -19.5
|year record low C = -25.0

|precipitation colour = green
|Jan precipitation mm = 20.3
|Feb precipitation mm = 20.4
|Mar precipitation mm = 31.6
|Apr precipitation mm = 51.5
|May precipitation mm = 38.3
|Jun precipitation mm = 10.9
|Jul precipitation mm = 6.7
|Aug precipitation mm = 3.6
|Sep precipitation mm = 5.6
|Oct precipitation mm = 19.3
|Nov precipitation mm = 27.0
|Dec precipitation mm = 23.3
| unit precipitation days = 1.0 mm
| precip days colour      =  
| Jan precipitation days  =4.4
| Feb precipitation days  =4.2
| Mar precipitation days  =6.6
| Apr precipitation days  =7.4
| May precipitation days  =7.1
| Jun precipitation days  =2.2
| Jul precipitation days  =1.3
| Aug precipitation days  =0.7
| Sep precipitation days  =1.4
| Oct precipitation days  =3.2
| Nov precipitation days  =4.5
| Dec precipitation days  =4.6
| Jan snow days  =9.3
| Feb snow days  =7.9
| Mar snow days  =4.9
| Apr snow days  =1.0
| May snow days  =0.0
| Jun snow days  =0.0
| Jul snow days  =0.00
| Aug snow days  =0.0
| Sep snow days  =0.0
| Oct snow days  =0.3
| Nov snow days  =1.8
| Dec snow days  =6.2
| year snow days =
| Jan humidity    =71
| Feb humidity    =65
| Mar humidity    =56
| Apr humidity    =53
| May humidity    =48
| Jun humidity    =37
| Jul humidity    =34
| Aug humidity    =33
| Sep humidity    =37
| Oct humidity    =47
| Nov humidity    =62
| Dec humidity    =70
| year humidity   =51.1
| Jan dew point C =-6.0
| Feb dew point C =-5.0
| Mar dew point C =-2.7
| Apr dew point C =1.7
| May dew point C =5.0
| Jun dew point C =6.3
| Jul dew point C =8.3
| Aug dew point C =7.6
| Sep dew point C =5.2
| Oct dew point C =2.6
| Nov dew point C =-0.6
| Dec dew point C =-4.2
| Jan sun  =141
| Feb sun  =161
| Mar sun  =192
| Apr sun  =213
| May sun  =273
| Jun sun  =332
| Jul sun  =350
| Aug sun  =343
| Sep sun  =302
| Oct sun  =241
| Nov sun  =179
| Dec sun  =136
| year sun = 2863

|source 1 =[[NCEI|NOAA NCEI]],<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.nodc.noaa.gov/archive/arc0216/0253808/2.2/data/0-data/Region-2-WMO-Normals-9120/Iran/CSV/Tabriz_40706.csv |title=World Meteorological Organization Climate Normals for 1991-2020: Tabriz |access-date=2 February 2024 |website=ncei.noaa.gov |publisher=[[NOAA]] |format=CSV}}</ref>
|source 2 =IRIMO(records),<ref name=extremes>{{Cite web |url=http://www.chaharmahalmet.ir/stat/archive/iran/azs/TABRIZ/6.asp |title=Form 6: Temperature records lowest in C. Station: Tabriz(40706) |access-date=28 March 2024  |website=Chaharmahalmet |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304050803/http://www.chaharmahalmet.ir/stat/archive/iran/azs/TABRIZ/6.asp |archive-date=4 March 2016 |url-status=unfit |publisher=Iran Meteorological Organization |type=asp }}
*{{Cite web |url=http://www.chaharmahalmet.ir/stat/archive/iran/azs/TABRIZ/7.asp |title=Form 7: Temperature records highest in C. Station: Tabriz(40706) |access-date=28 March 2024  |website=Chaharmahalmet |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160313140523/http://chaharmahalmet.ir/stat/archive/iran/azs/tabriz/7.asp |archive-date=13 March 2016 |url-status=unfit |publisher=Iran Meteorological Organization |type=asp }}</ref> (snow/sleet days 1951–2010)<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.chaharmahalmet.ir/stat/archive/iran/azs/TABRIZ/32.asp |title=Form 32: Number of days with snow or sleet Station: Tabriz(40706) |access-date=28 March 2024 |website=Chaharmahalmet |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140906035455/http://www.chaharmahalmet.ir/stat/archive/iran/azs/TABRIZ/32.asp |archive-date=6 September 2014 |url-status=unfit |publisher=Iran Meteorological Organization |type=asp }}</ref>
}}

=== Environment pollution ===
Air pollution is one of the major environmental issues in Tabriz. Air pollution is due to an increase of the number of cars commuting in the city and polluting industries such as thermal power plants, petrochemical complexes and the oil refinery in the west of the city. Air pollution levels increased continuously in the second half of the 20th century. With a mandate of national environmental codes by heavy industries, industrial air pollution has reduced in recent years. However, the air quality in the city is far from world norms for clean air.

An immediate environmental threat is the shrinkage and drying out of the [[Lake Urmia]] located in the outskirts of Western Tabriz. The lake has faced a grave crisis since the late 20th century. Water depth reduction, increasing water salinity to saturation level and the appearance of vast salt fields around the lake, are alarming indications of gradual total desiccation of a unique ecosystem. This occurred due to global warming and ever-increasing demands for inadequate freshwater sources in the basin. It is feared that in the near future low-lying clouds of airborne salt and minerals may hover over large areas around the lake, posing serious health hazards.<ref>H. Golabian, Macro-engineering Seawater in Unique Environments: Arid Lowlands and Water Bodies Rehabilitation, 2011, Springer, pp. 365–397</ref>

== Governance ==
[[File:Tabriz City Hall.jpg|thumb|right|upright|[[Saat Tower]], Municipality Museum and former municipality office]]
[[File:Municipality of tabriz.jpg|thumb|right|upright|Main Municipality Office]]
{{Further|List of mayors of Tabriz}}
Authority for the city lies with the Mayor, who is elected by a municipal board. The municipal board is periodically elected by the city's residents. The Municipal central office is located in the [[Tabriz Municipality Palace]].

=== Historic municipal districts ===
Tabriz is divided into 10 municipal districts. Each municipal district retains a number of the older neighborhoods that are of cultural and historical interest.
{{div col |colwidth=18em}}
*[[Ahrab]] (اهراب)
*[[Akhmaqaya]] (آخماقایا)
*[[Amraqiz]] (امره قیز)
*Bahar (باهار)
*Baghshoumal (باغ‌ شمال)
*[[Baron Avak]] (Barnava) (بارناوا، بارون‌آواک)
*Bazaar (بازار)
*Beylanki (Beylankooh) (بیلانکی)
*Charandab (چرنداب)
*Chousdouzan (چوس‌دوزان)
*[[Davachi (Tabriz)|Davachi]] (دوچی)
*[[Gajil]] (گجیل)
*Gazran (Re. Khayyam) (گزران)
*[[Imamieh]] (امامیه)
*[[Hokmavar]] (حکم‌آوار)
*Kouchebagh (کوچه‌ باغ)
*[[Khatib (Tabriz)|Khatib]] (Hatib) (خطیب)
*Khayyam (خیام)
*Khiyavan (خیاوان)
*[[Kujuvar]] (کوجووار)
*Laklar (لک لر)
*Lalah (لاله)
*[[Lilava]] (Leylabad) (لیل‌آباد)
*Maghsoudia (مقصودیه)
*[[Maralan]] (مارالان)
*[[Nobar]] (نوبار)
*[[Qaraghaj (Tabriz)|Qaraghaj]] (قره‌آغاج)
*[[Qaramalik]] (قارا‌ ملیک)
*Rastakucha (راستا کوچه)
*Sarlak (سرلک)
*Selab (سیلاب)
*[[Shanb-e-Ghazan]] (شنب غازان)
*[[Sheshghelan]] (ششگلان)
*Sirkhab (سیرخاب)
*Tapalibagh (تپه لی باغ)
*Vardjibashi (Vidjooya) (ورجی باشی، ویجویه)
{{div col end}}

=== Modern municipal districts ===
This is table of modern Tabriz districts.
{{div col |colwidth=18em}}
*Parvaz ({{langx|fa|پرواز}})
*Golshahr ({{lang|fa|گلشهر}})
*Zafaranieh ({{lang|fa|زعفرانیه}})
*Rajae Shahr ({{lang|fa|رجائی‌شهر}})
*Hafez ({{lang|fa|حافظ}})
*Mandana ({{lang|fa|ماندانا}})
*Nesfrah ({{lang|fa|نصف راه}})
*Valieamr ({{lang|fa|ولی امر}})
*Narmak ({{lang|fa|نارمک}})
*Yaghchian ({{lang|fa|یاغچیان}})
*Marzdaran ({{lang|fa|مرزداران}})
*Baghmishe ({{lang|fa|باغمیشه}})
*Elahiyeh ({{lang|fa|الهیه}})
*Abrisham ({{lang|fa|ابریشم}})
*Baharestan ({{lang|fa|بهارستان}})
*Misagh ({{lang|fa|میثاق}})
*Sahand ({{lang|fa|سهند}})
*Ashkan ({{lang|fa|اشکان}})
*Jamaran ({{lang|fa|جماران}})
*Abresan ({{lang|fa|آبرسان}})
*Vali Asr ({{lang|fa|ولیعصر}})
*Elahi Parast ({{lang|fa|الهی‌پرست}})
*Ferdows / ({{lang|fa|فردوس}})
*North Fereshteh ({{lang|fa|فرشته شمالی}})
*Roshdieh ({{lang|fa|رشدیه}})
*Mirdamad ({{lang|fa|میرداماد}})
*Andishe ({{lang|fa|اندیشه}})
*Khavaran ({{lang|fa|خاوران}})
{{div col end}}

== Culture and art ==
=== Literature ===
<blockquote><poem>[[Sahand]], o mountain of pure snow,
Descended from Heaven with [[Zoroaster]]
Fire in your heart, snow on your shoulders,
with storm of centuries,
And white hair of history on your chest ...</poem></blockquote>
[[Yadollah Maftun Amini]] (born in 1926)<ref>Gholam-Reza Sabri-Tabrizi, Iran: A Child's Story, a Man's Experience, 1989, Mainstream Publishing Company, P. 168</ref>

The city of Tabriz, historically located at the westernmost end of Iran's trade route and situated along the [[Silk Road]], has long been a hub of commerce as well as culture and art. This strategic position facilitated both economic prosperity and the flourishing of cultural exchanges. In the [[modern era]], the establishment of Memorial School in the late 19th century, followed by the founding of the University of Tabriz, along with the presence of intellectual movements, further boosted the city's cultural development.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |title=تبریز - دانشنامه ویکیدا |url=https://fa.wikida.ir/wiki/%D8%AA%D8%A8%D8%B1%DB%8C%D8%B2 |access-date=2024-09-10 |website=fa.wikida.ir |language=fa}}</ref>

Tabriz is also the birthplace of one of Iran's most prominent schools of painting, known as the "Tabriz School." This artistic movement flourished during the periods of the [[Ilkhanate]], [[Jalayirids]], [[Qara Qoyunlu]], [[Aq Qoyunlu]], and [[Safavid dynasty|Safavid dynasties]], leaving a lasting impact on Iranian art.<ref name=":0" />

The proximity to [[Sahand]], a mountain in the south of the city, has been a source of inspiration for contemporary revolutionaries and poets alike. The power of this inspiring source, however, goes to much earlier times. Tabriz was a house for numerous Iranian writers, poets, and illumination movements. In old times the city notables supported poets and writers by organizing periodical meetings. Within its long history, it was a residence for many well known Iranian writers and poets. The list can start from the old-time [[Rumi]], [[Qatran Tabrizi|Qatran]], [[Khaqani]] to recent years [[Samad Behrangi]], [[Gholam-Hossein Sa'edi]], [[Parvin E'tesami]]. The prominent [[Iranian Azerbaijanis|Iranian Azerbaijani]] poet [[Mohammad-Hossein Shahriar]] was born in Tabriz. The culture, social values, language and music is a mixture of what exists in the rest of [[Iran]].

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

{{col-begin}}
{{col-2}}
<div class="center">
ساربانا بار بگشا ز اشتران<br />
شهر تبريز است و کوی دلبران

Oh Sārbān, have the camels' cargo unloaded,<br />
This is Tabriz, the neighborhood of the beloved ones.<br />
―''[[Jalal ad-Din Muhammad Rumi|Molana]]''

عزیزی در اقصای تبریز بود<br />
که همواره بیدار و شبخیز بود

A beloved lived in Tabriz away from sight,<br />
who was always alert and awake at night<br />
―''[[Bostan (book)|Bustan]] of [[Saadi (poet)|Sadi]]''
</div>
{{col-2}}
<div class="center">
تا به تبریزم دو چیزم حاصل است<br />
نیم نان و آب مهران رود و بس

As long as I live in Tabriz, two things I need not worry about,<br />
The half loaf of bread and the water of Mehranrud [river] are enough!<br />
―''[[Khaqani Shirvani|Khaqani]]''

اين ارك بلند شهر تبريز است<br />
افراشته قامتِ رسايش را

This is the tall Arg of Tabriz City,<br />
Raised its outstanding height there!<br />
―''[[Yadollah Maftun Amini|Maftun]]''
</div>
{{col-end}}

=== Music ===
{{Main|Music of Iran}}

A century-long autocratic nation-building policy of central governments in Iran has succeeded in cultural assimilation in the favour of a government-sanctioned culture.<ref>Ervand Abrahamian, A History of Modern Iran, 2008, Cambridge University Press</ref> As a result, Tabriz, by the turn of the 20th century had nearly become devoid of its once characteristic cultural identity. Thanks to the more liberal policies of the [[Mohammad Khatami|Khatami era]] (1998–2006), a cultural renaissance took place and the local music was revitalized.

The traditional Azerbaijani music is divided into two distinct types, the music of "[[ashugh]]" and the "[[mugham]]". Mugham, despite its similarity to Persian classical music, was not common among Iranian Azerbaijanis. In recent years, however, mugham is gaining popularity among the educated middle-class young generation. For instance, Nasir Atapur, from Tabriz, was the laureate of Mugam contest 2007.

The ashugh music had survived in a mountainous region of [[Arasbaran|Qaradağ]] and presently is identified as the characteristic form of music in all Azerbaijan. The ashugh music, throughout its long history, had been associated with nomadic life in mountainous regions and used to be dismissed as back-country folklore. The recent identity renaissance of Azerbaijani speaking people has elevated the status of Ashughs as the guardians of national culture. The newfound unprecedented popularity and frequent concerts and performances in urban settings have resulted in rapid innovative developments aiming to enhance the urban-appealing aspects of these ashugh performances. The main factor for these developments was the opening of academic style music classes in Tabriz by master Ashugs, such as Aşiq Imran Heydəri.

[[Ashug]]s (Aşiq in Azerbaijani language stemmed from the Arabic word for lover) were travelling bards who sang and played saz, an eight or ten string plucking instrument in the form of a long-necked lute. Their roots can be traced back to at least the 7th century according to the Turkic epic Dede Korkut.<ref>G. Lewis (translator), The Book of Dede Korkut, Penguin Classics (1988)</ref> Naturally, the music has evolved in the course of the grand migration and ensuing feuds with the original inhabitants the acquired lands. Still, the essence of the original epics, i.e. metamorphic description of life in pastoral terms with direct reference to the mountainous landscape, persists to the present time. The characteristic aspect of the [[Ashugh]] music is its frequent allusions to a mountain with the intention of arousing an emotional state with a tone of mild melancholy in a listener. The first verses of a contemporary [[Ashug]] song, composed by Məhəmməd Araz, may well represent the essence of [[Ashugh]] music<ref>A. O.Senarslan, Women asiqs of Azerbaijan: tradition and transformation, PhD Thesis, University of Wisconsin-Madison (2008)</ref> may clarify the said statement.

''Bəlkə bu yerlərə birdə gəlmədim'' (I may not come to these mountains again)
''duman səlamət qal dağ səlamət qal'' (Farewell to the Mist and to the mountain)
''arxamca su səpir göydə bulutlar'' (Clouds sprinkle drops of rain)
''leysan səlamət qal yağ səlamət qal'' (Farewell to summer days, farewell to the rain)

=== Painting ===
[[File:Khusraw at Shirin’s Palace.jpg|thumb|upright|''Khusraw at Shirin’s Palace''. Tabriz, last quarter of the 15th-century. [[Edmund de Unger|Keir Collection of Islamic Art]]]]
"Tabrizian style" painting was shaped in the era of [[Ilkhanid]]s, [[Kara Koyunlu]] and the [[Safavid]]s.<ref>Eleanor Sims, Boris Ilʹich Marshak, Ernst J. Grube, ''Peerless Images: Persian Painting and Its Sources'', 2002, p.44</ref> The paintings date back to the early 14th century and show significant influence from Chinese and Chinese-influenced pictures. Over the years Tabriz became the centre of the noteworthy school of [[Persian miniature]] painting.<ref>Michael Dumper, Bruce E. Stanley, ''Cities of the Middle East and North Africa: A Historical Encyclopedia'', 2007, p. 339</ref> A fictional account of "Tabrizian style" painting in the [[Safavid]]s era is narrated by [[Orhan Pamuk]] in ''[[My Name Is Red]]''.

=== Cuisine ===
{{Main|Iranian cuisine}}
Famous dishes in Tabriz include:

''[[Ash (Persian food)|Aash]]'' is a kind of soup prepared with [[Bouillon (soup)|bouillon]], various [[vegetables]], [[carrot]]s, [[noodle]]s and spices.

''[[Abgosht|Abgoosht]]'' or ''Shorva'' ([[w:fa:آب‌گوشت|آب‌گوشت]])<ref>Shirin Simmons, A Treasury of Persian Cuisine, 2007, Stamford House Publishing</ref> is a hearty soup made of [[Lamb and mutton|mutton]] and chickpeas. It has been cooked in Iran for many years and, until recently, was the main dish of most families in Tabriz.

''[[Chelow kabab]]'', [[kebab]] and roasted tomatoes (and roasted hot peppers occasionally) served on a plate of steamed [[rice]]<ref>Najmieh Batmanglij, A Taste of Persia: An Introduction to Persian Cooking, p. 54</ref>'','' is the national dish of Iran. Tabriz is famous for the quality of its ''chelow kabab''.

''[[Dolma]]'' is a traditional food, prepared by filling an eggplant, capsicum, tomato or zucchini with a mixture of meat, [[split pea]], onion and various spices.

''[[Karniyarik|Garniyarikh]]'' (meaning "the torn abdomen" in [[Azerbaijani language|Azerbaijani]]) is a kind of [[dolma]] filled with meat, [[garlic]], [[almond]]s and [[spice]]s.

''[[Tabriz meatballs]]'' are large meatballs composed of ground meat, rice, and leeks, alongside various other ingredients. The word ''kofta'' is derived from [[Persian language|Persian]] ''kūfta'': in Persian, ''kuftan'' (کوفتن) means "to beat" or "to grind".<ref>Alan S. Kaye, "Persian loanwords in English", ''English Today'' '''20''':20–24 (2004), {{doi|10.1017/S0266078404004043}}.</ref>
<gallery class="center" heights="90px">
Koofteh Tabrizi and Bonab Kababi.jpg|A table of some of Tabriz traditional foods (köfte and syrup with [[sangak]] and [[Bonab Kababi]] with rice)
Kufteh1.png|[[Tabriz meatballs]]
Abgusht.png|[[Abgoosht]]
Cutlet TBZ.png|[[Cutlet]]
Qurutli ash.png|Qurutli Aash, a thick soup made of [[qurut]]
</gallery>

There are also confections, biscuits and cookies which are Tabriz specialties, including [[Qurabiya]], [[Tabrizi Lovuez]], Riss, [[Nougat]], Tasbihi, Latifeh, Ahari, Lovadieh, and [[Lokum]].
<gallery class="center" heights="90px">
Qourabieh.png|[[Qurabiya]]
Lovuez.png|[[Tabrizi Lovuez]]
Nooka.png|Nouga ([[Nougat]])
Riss TBZ.png|Riss
Konjod.png|Konjod Halvasi, a laminal sesame cookie.
Baglava, Tabriz, Iran.jpg|Tabriz's [[Baklava]]
Dried fried nuts.png|Dried, Fried, and Salted Nuts
</gallery>

==Main sights==
Tabriz was devastated by several earthquakes during its history (e.g., in 858, 1041, and 1721) and as a result, from numerous monuments only few of them or part of them have survived until now. Moreover, some of the historical monuments have been destroyed fully or partially within construction projects (the Arg of Tabriz is in danger of destruction now, because of the ongoing nearby construction project of Mosal'laye Emam). Nonetheless, there are still numerous monuments remaining until now, which include:{{Citation needed|date=January 2012}}
{{div col |colwidth=27em}}
*[[Aji Chay Bridge]]
*[[Amir Nezam House]] ([[Qajar dynasty|Qajar]] museum)
*[[Arg of Tabriz]]
*[[Azerbaijan Museum]]
*[[Baghmasha gate]]
*[[Tabriz Bazaar|Bazaar of Tabriz]], a world heritage site
*[[Behnam House]] (school of architecture)
*[[Blue Mosque of Tabriz|Blue Mosque]] (Goy Masjid)
*[[Boulourchian house]]
*[[Constitutional Revolution House of Tabriz]] (Mashrouteh museum)
*[[Daneshsara]] (faculty of education)
*[[Document Museum]]
*[[East-Azerbaijan State Palace]]
*[[Ferdowsi Street, Tabriz|Ferdowsi street]]
*[[Ghadaki house]]
*[[Qari Bridge]]
*[[Haidarzadeh house]]
*[[Hariree house]]
*[[House of Seghat ol Islam]]
*[[Imamzadeh Hamzah, Tabriz]]
*[[Imamzadeh Ibrahim]]
*[[Iron Age museum]]
*[[Jamee mosque of Tabriz]]
*[[Madrasah Akbarieh]]
*[[Maqbaratoshoara]] (tomb of poets)
*[[Mansoor bridge]]
*[[Measure museum]]
*Muharram museum
*[[Municipality of Tabriz]]
*[[Museum of Ostad Bohtouni]]
*[[Nobar bath]]
*[[On ibn Ali's shrine]]
*[[Ordobadi house]]
*[[Pahlavi street]] (Imam St.)
*[[Pol Sanghi]] (Stone bridge)
*[[Pottery museum]]
*[[Protestant church of Tabriz]]
*[[Qur'an museum]]
*[[Roshdieh school]]
*Ruins of [[Rabe Rashidi]] University
*[[Saheb ol Amr]] mosque
*[[Saint Mary Church of Tabriz]] (Armenian church)
*[[Salmasi house]] [[Measure museum]]
*[[Seventh-day Adventist Church]], Armenian
*[[Seyed Hamzeh shrine]]
*[[Shahnaz street]]
*[[Sharbatoglu house]]
*[[Mohammad-Hossein Shahriar|Shahryar]] literature museum (house of [[Mohammad-Hossein Shahriar|Shahryar]])
*[[Shohada Mosque]]
*[[Sorkheh-i house]]
*[[Tabriz Art University]] (former Charmsazi Khosravi)
*[[Tabriz Fire Fighting Tower]]
*[[Tabriz Museum of Natural History]]
*[[Tabriz Railway Station]]
*[[Tabriz Vocational Museum]]
*[[Tarbiyat street]]
*[[Tomb of Two Kamals|Two Kamals tomb]]
{{div col end}}

<gallery class="center" heights="90px">
File:Saat 4.jpg|[[Saat Tower]]
File:Carpet Bazaar of Tabriz.JPG|[[Bazaar of Tabriz|The Grand Bazaar]]
File:Eternal Love.jpg|[[Iron Age museum]]
File:Amir Nezam House 1.jpg|[[Amir Nezam House]] ([[Qajar dynasty|Qajar]] museum)
File:House-of-Constitutional-Revolution.jpg|[[Constitution House of Tabriz]]
File:Musée mesures tabriz.jpg|[[Measure museum]] of Tabriz
File:Behnam's House, Sahand University of Technology, Tabriz, Azerbaijan, Iran, 08-19-2006.jpg|[[Behnam House]]
File:Ghari Bridge.JPG|[[Qari Bridge]]
File:TabrizAzerbaijanMuseum 2.JPG|[[Azerbaijan Museum]]
File:Blue Mosque, Tabriz, Iran.jpg|[[Blue Mosque, Tabriz|Blue Mosque]]
File:Shah-Goli.Tabriz.jpg|[[Shah-goli]] park
File:The Virgin Mary (Gerigury) church.jpg|[[Saint Mary Church of Tabriz]]
File:Chay kenar - Tabriz.jpg|Chay kenar (river side) at night
File:Masjed+imamzadeh tabriz.jpg|[[Imamzadeh Hamzah, Tabriz|Seyed Hamzeh shrine and mosque]]
File:Tabriz.masque.111.jpg|a mosque in Tabriz
</gallery>

== Gardens, green spaces, and parks ==
{{See also|Persian gardens}}

Tabriz has 132 parks, including 97 small parks, 31 regional and 4 city parks. According to 2005 statistics, the area of parks in Tabriz is 2,595&nbsp;km<sup>2</sup>, and the area of green spaces of Tabriz is 8,548&nbsp;km<sup>2</sup>, which is 5.6 sq.m per person. A study published in 2018 found that "Most of the [[urban green space]]s are located on the urban fringes and in low-density higher income residential areas." It also found that "Greenspace per capita provision in Tabriz is much lower than the national and international standards (some districts offer only 0–1 sq.m. per capita green space)..."<ref name="approach">{{cite journal |last1=Yigitcanlar |first1=T. |last2=Teimouri |first2=R. |title=An approach towards effective ecological planning: Quantitative analysis of urban green space characteristics |journal=Global Journal of Environmental Science and Management |date=1 April 2018 |volume=4 |issue=2 |pages=195–206 |doi=10.22034/gjesm.2018.04.02.007 |issn=2383-3572}}</ref> Another study notes that the cohesion of Tabrizi green spaces is strongest in the Southern and Eastern parts of the city, and poorest in the center of the city, following the river Quri Chay.<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Mahmoudzadeh |first=Hassan |date=22 August 2022 |title="Ecological Networks and corridors development in urban areas: An example of Tabriz, Iran." |journal=Frontiers in Environmental Science |volume=10|doi=10.3389/fenvs.2022.969266 |doi-access=free }}</ref> The oldest park in Tabriz, [[Golestan Baği]], was established at first [[Pahlavi dynasty|Pahlavi]]'s era in the city center. Tabriz also has 8 traveller-parks with the capacity of 10,000 travellers.{{Citation needed|date=January 2012}}

*Baghlar Baghi
*[[Khaqani Park]]
*[[Ghaem Magham]]
*[[Golestan Park]]
*[[Persian Constitutional Revolution|Mashrouteh]] Park [[Saeb Tabrizi]] Garden
*[[Shah-goli|Shah Goli]] Park
*[[Shams Tabrizi]] Garden
*[[Eynali]] state forest park.
*Baghmesha Park.

<gallery class="center" heights="70" perrow="3">
File:Shah Goli and Pars hotel.JPG|[[Shah-goli|Shah Goli Park]]
File:Eynali picknick.jpg|[[Eynali]] artificial forest in the north of the Tabriz
File:Week-end ritual.jpg|A week-end ritual at Eynali peak
</gallery>

== Economy ==
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{{see also|Economy of Iran}}
Tabriz is the largest economic center in Northwest Iran. The economy of Tabriz is based on commerce, services, health care and pharmaceutical, small and heavy industries, and handcrafts. Tabriz is the main site for five of Iran's Fortune 100 companies including: [[ITMCO]], Palaz Moket, Kashi Tabriz, [[Shirin Asal]], Aydin.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.khabaronline.ir/detail/394761/Economy/industry |title=ٓبرندهای ارزشمند ایران معرفی شدند/ رویکردی متفاوت در با شکوه‌ترین جشن سالانه صنعت |date=2015-01-11 |access-date=2016-03-28 |archive-date=2018-02-06 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180206190359/https://www.khabaronline.ir/detail/394761/Economy/industry |url-status=live }}</ref>

=== Industries ===
Modern industries in Tabriz established since early 20 century by match manufacturing industries. Currently manufacturing industries in the city include manufacturing of machinery, vehicles, chemicals and [[petrochemical]] materials, [[Refining|refinery]], [[cement]], electrical and electronic equipment, home appliances, textiles and leather, nutrition and dairy, woodcraft, and pharmaceuticals.<ref name="chap.sch.ir" />

There are hundreds of industrial complexes in Tabriz's industrial area. Among them is the [[Iran Tractor Manufacturing Company|Iran Tractor Manufacturing Co (ITMCO)]] which is one of the biggest industrial complexes in the region. This complex alone has the highest foundry and forging capacity in the Middle East and it is the biggest tractor manufacturer in Iran with several production branches within Iran and other countries. Behind ITMCO there are several other industrial complexes including [[Mashin Sazi Tabriz]] Co, Iran Diesel Engine Manufacturing Co (IDEM), Pump Iran, Tabriz Petrochemical Complex, Tabriz Oil Refinery and a couple of industrial regions which include hundreds of small industries.

Tabriz is also a site for abundant food and some of the most famous chocolate factories in Iran which honoured the city as the ''Chocolate City'' of Iran. This includes Dadash and Baradar Industrial Co. with the brand mark of Aidin, Soniz which is one of the biggest factories of its kind in the region.

A vast portion of the city's population is involved in small businesses like shoemaking ateliers, stone-cutting, [[furniture]] ateliers, [[confectionery]], printing and dry nuts.

=== Handcrafts and ateliers ===
{{Main|Persian carpet}}
{{See also|Tabriz rug}}

Due to its distinct handicrafts and carpets Tabriz is selected as the world city of crafts and carpet.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.farsnews.ir/newstext.php?nn=13940614000887 |title=تبریز شهر جهانی صنایع دستی و بافت فرش شد |publisher=[[Fars News Agency]] |date=5 September 2015 |access-date=5 September 2015}}</ref> Tabriz is the main centre for the production of the famous [[Persian carpet|Iranian Rugs]]. The distinctive durability of Tabriz's carpets and its unique designs made it a famous brand in the world's carpet markets. Tabrizi [[Carpet|rugs]] and [[carpet]]s usually have ivory backgrounds with blue, rose, and indigo motifs. They often feature symmetrical and balanced designs. They usually have a single medallion that is surrounded by vines and palmettos. One of the main quality characteristics of Tabriz [[Carpet|rugs]] is the weaving style, using specialities that guarantee the durability of the rug in comparison for example with [[Kashan]] [[Carpet|rugs]]. Therefore, most discussion surrounding Tabrizi rugs is on their high quality and durability instead of their traditional designs. However, Tabrizi rug patterns are not as easily identifiable as other cities' rug patterns as they are less distinctive, unlike Isfahan and Shiraz rugs, and most, if not clearly labeled Tabrizi, are assumed Tabrizi and met with labels like "probably Tabrizi."

Other than carpets, the city is famous for several other handicrafts including [[silver]]wares, [[wood]] engraving, [[pottery]] and [[ceramic]]s, Ghalamzani (Irania style of [[toreutics]]), Moarraq (Iranian style of [[Mosaic]]), Monabbat, [[embroider]].
[[File:Tabrizi Rug Assingment april 04 common patterns.jpg|thumb|201x201px|Common Tabrizi rug, garden pattern, bright colors on cream background]]
<gallery class="center">
File:TCarpet2.jpg|A sample of [[Tabriz rug]]s
File:Iranian Astrolab.jpg|A newly made bronze [[astrolabe]], as a sample of Ghalamzani in Tabriz
File:Tabriz Graver 001.jpg|An engraver in Tabriz
</gallery>

=== Shopping ===
[[File:بازار تبريز.jpg|thumb|upright|Carpet bazaar]]
Shopping centres are mostly located in the city centre, including Grand [[Bazaar of Tabriz]], pedestrian malls on [[Tarbiyat street]], [[Shahnaz street]] and [[Ferdowsi Street, Tabriz|Ferdowsi street]]. Also, there are some malls and a lot of elegant & luxurious boutiques of jewellery, rugs, clothes, handicrafts, confectionery and nuts, home appliances and so on in the Abresan intersection, [[Roshdiyeh]] district and [[Kouy Valiasr]].{{citation needed|date=April 2018}}

The special feature of Tabriz's malls is that most of them are designated to a particular order, such as home appliances, jewelry, shoes, clothes, wedding ceremonies, ladies/babies/men specialties, leather products, handicrafts, agricultural products, computers, electronic components, industrial equipment, piping equipment, chemical materials, agricultural machines, stationery, books, rugs, construction stuff and others.

Likewise, there are seasonal/occasional shopping fairs opened mainly in the [[Tabriz International Exhibition Center]].

The city is served by [[Refah Chain Stores Co.]], [[Iran Hyper Star]], [[Isfahan City Center]], [[Shahrvand Chain Stores Inc.]], [[Kowsar Market]],<ref>{{cite web |title=راه اندازی سامانه خرید اینترنتی فروشگاه‌های کوثر اصفهان |url=http://www.iribnews.ir/fa/news/2906118 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210618143205/https://www.iribnews.ir/fa/news/2906118/%D8%B1%D8%A7%D9%87-%D8%A7%D9%86%D8%AF%D8%A7%D8%B2%DB%8C-%D8%B3%D8%A7%D9%85%D8%A7%D9%86%D9%87-%D8%AE%D8%B1%DB%8C%D8%AF-%D8%A7%DB%8C%D9%86%D8%AA%D8%B1%D9%86%D8%AA%DB%8C-%D9%81%D8%B1%D9%88%D8%B4%DA%AF%D8%A7%D9%87%E2%80%8C%D9%87%D8%A7%DB%8C-%DA%A9%D9%88%D8%AB%D8%B1-%D8%A7%D8%B5%D9%81%D9%87%D8%A7%D9%86 |archive-date=18 June 2021 |access-date=2021-06-01 |website=fa |language=fa}}</ref> {{ill|Ofoq Kourosh chain store|fa|شرکت فروشگاه‌های زنجیره‌ای افق کوروش|vertical-align=sup}}.

=== Tabriz International Exhibition Center ===
[[Tabriz International Exhibition Center]] which is located in the eastern part of the city holds tens of exhibitions based on yearly schedule. The most famous fair is TEXPO<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.tabrizfair.ir/ |title=Tabriz International Exhibition Co |publisher=Tabrizfair.ir |access-date=2012-04-02 |archive-date=2019-05-03 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190503193120/http://www.tabrizfair.ir/ |url-status=live }}</ref> which is a general trade fair. Established in 1992, it usually holds exhibitions around August 4–9 every year.

==Schools and libraries==
===Universities===
Tabriz is the site for 14 of Iran's most prominent universities and higher education institutes. Established in 1947, [[University of Tabriz]]<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.moi.ir/Portal/Home/ShowPage.aspx?Object=News&ID=89c9e790-17d4-43ea-84b0-ba83d14d050f&LayoutID=dd8faff4-f71b-4c65-9aef-a1b6d0160be3&CategoryID=832a711b-95fe-4505-8aa3-38f5e17309c9 |title=پورتال وزارت کشور |publisher=Moi.ir |access-date=2012-04-02 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111113181849/http://www.moi.ir/Portal/Home/ShowPage.aspx?Object=News&ID=89c9e790-17d4-43ea-84b0-ba83d14d050f&LayoutID=dd8faff4-f71b-4c65-9aef-a1b6d0160be3&CategoryID=832a711b-95fe-4505-8aa3-38f5e17309c9 |archive-date=2011-11-13}}</ref> is the most prestigious university in north-western Iran. [[University of Tabriz]] is also considered one of five mother universities in the country which works as the regional hub of science for the region. Besides [[University of Tabriz]], there are several other public universities, operating in the city and its suburbs. Among them the famous ones are:
[[File:Tabriz university 2009.jpg|thumb|[[University of Tabriz]] as seen from the Applied Physics Faculty]]
Tabriz University of Medical Sciences has departments from various medical and paramedical branches. This university was part of [[University of Tabriz]] until the early 1980s.
*[[Islamic Azad University, Tabriz Branch]] established in 1982 and have a different faculties in various majors such as Faculty of Law.
*[[Sahand University of Technology]] is established in 1989 and have majored in different fields of Engineering and Technology related sciences.
*[[Azarbaijan University of Tarbiat Moallem]] is established in 1987. Azerbaijan University is a general university. Its main campus is located based in [[Azarshahr]] county.
*[[Tabriz Islamic Arts University]] is a public university established in 1997.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.tabriziau.ac.ir/ |title=tabriziau.ac.ir |publisher=tabriziau.ac.ir |access-date=2013-02-11 |archive-date=2018-09-24 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180924184048/http://tabriziau.ac.ir/ |url-status=live }}</ref>
*the Payam-e Noor University of Tabriz, is part of [[Payame Noor University]] network of the remote educational university.

There are couple of private universities and higher educational institutes serving student as well, including: Islamic Azad University of Tabriz,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.iaut.ac.ir/ |title=Islamic Azad University of Tabriz |publisher=iaut.ac.ir |access-date=2013-02-11 |archive-date=2019-05-09 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190509205815/http://www.iaut.ac.ir/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Daneshvaran Higher Education Institute,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.daneshvaran.ac.ir/ |title=Daneshvaran Higher Education Institute |publisher=daneshvaran.ac.ir |access-date=2013-02-11 |archive-date=2018-10-19 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181019093719/http://daneshvaran.ac.ir/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Seraj Higher Education Institute,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.seraj.ac.ir/ |title=Seraj Higher Education Institute |publisher=seraj.ac.ir |access-date=2013-03-24 |archive-date=2016-11-07 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161107222326/http://www.seraj.ac.ir/ |url-status=live }}</ref> University College of Nabi Akram,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.ucna.ac.ir/ |title=University College of Nabi Akram |publisher=ucna.ac.ir |access-date=2013-02-11 |archive-date=2018-09-30 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180930134644/http://ucna.ac.ir/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Khajeh Rashid University.

There are few technical colleges, which serve the students as well: Elmi-Karbordi University of Tabriz,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.ea-uast.ac.ir/ |title=Elmi-Karbordi University of Tabriz |publisher=ea-uast.ac.ir |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091217094620/http://www.ea-uast.ac.ir/ |archive-date=2009-12-17}}</ref> Tabriz College of Technology,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.tct.ac.ir/ |title=Tabriz College of Technology |publisher=tct.ac.ir |access-date=2013-02-11 |archive-date=2019-05-09 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190509220947/http://www.tct.ac.ir/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Roshdiyeh Higher Education Institute of Tabriz,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.roshdiyeh.ir/ |title=Roshdiyeh Higher Education Institute of Tabriz |publisher=roshdiyeh.ir |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081202125717/http://www.roshdiyeh.ir/ |archive-date=2008-12-02}}</ref> Jahad Daneshgahi (ACECR) Higher Education Institute (East Azerbaijan Branch), Alzahra College of Technology, State Organization of Technical and Vocational Training.

There are a couple of research centers supported by Iranian government in the city including: East Azerbaijan Park of Science & Technology,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.eastp.ir/ |title=East Azerbaijan Park of Science & Technology |publisher=eastp.ir |access-date=2009-12-20 |archive-date=2018-09-28 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180928200157/http://www.eastp.ir/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Islamic Azad University, Science and Research Branch, Tabriz.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://azs.srbiau.ac.ir/ |title=Islamic Azad University, Science and Research Branch, Tabriz |publisher=azs.srbiau.ac.ir |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121015212920/http://azs.srbiau.ac.ir/ |archive-date=2012-10-15}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.sci.org.ir/content/userfiles/_sci_en/sci_en/sel/year85/f2/CS_02_8.HTM |title=sci.org.ir |publisher=sci.org.ir}}{{dead link|date=June 2016|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}</ref>

Furthermore, a couple of Iranian universities have branches in Tabriz, including: [[Imam Hossein University]], Shahid Beheshti Training Teacher Center of Tabriz.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.bttt.ir/ |title=Shahid Beheshti Training Teacher Center of Tabriz |publisher=bttt.ir |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130630223820/http://www.bttt.ir/ |archive-date=2013-06-30 |url-status=dead}}</ref>

=== Famous high schools ===
Hundreds of public and private schools serve students using the Iranian education system. Students attend primary school for five years, middle school for three years, and secondary school for a final three years. Those entering university must attend one year in college first. While the prominent language in Tabriz is [[Azerbaijani language|Azerbaijani]], [[Persian language|Persian]] is used in school classrooms. Some of the high schools are famous because of their history or higher educational quality.

Here is a list of most famous high schools in the city:

*Memorial school ([[American School of Tabriz]]) was opened in 1891 and is one of the most famous schools of American Missionary Schools in Iran. After [[World War II]], the school's name was changed to Parvin High School, under [[Iran]] education ministry's management. Currently, it is divided into three separate high schools, and the original building is under reconstruction. [[Howard Baskerville]] used to teach in Memorial school.
*Roshdieh school is the first modern [[Iran]]ian school, which was established by [[Haji-Mirza Hassan Roshdieh]]. Currently, its building is used as the Tabriz branch of the National [[Iran]]ian Documents and Library Office.
*Vahdat Technical College is another famous school in Tabriz. It was developed by the [[Germans]] before [[World War II]].
*Ferdowsi high school is one of the largest and most prominent high schools in Tabriz. The original building was constructed by [[Germans|German]] engineers before [[World War II]] originally as a hospital with an aerial shape of H. Later on, it was used as Ferdowsi high school.
*[[Mansur High School]] (established 1945) was one of the highest-ranking schools in Tabriz. Later on, the school divided into [[Mansur High School|Mansur (Taleghani) High School]] and Motahhari high school. The reconstruction of the school in 2010 has caused tension between alumnus of the school and administrators of the education office of Tabriz.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://nasrnews.ir/show.php?ID=10805 |title=با مجوز سازمان آموزش و پرورش آذربایجان شرقی |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120616213850/http://www.nasrnews.ir/show.php?ID=10805 |archive-date=2012-06-16 |url-status=dead}}</ref>
*Shahid Madani and Farzanegan or so-called Tiz-houshan high schools (which are part of [[National Organization for Development of Exceptional Talents|SAMPAD]]/[[National Organization for Development of Exceptional Talents|NODET]]) were established in 1989. The students are admitted to these schools through a competitive entrance exam. These schools are famous because of the higher rate of admission of their graduates through Iranian universities entrance exam.

===Religious schools===
Valiasr Religious School and Talebieh Islamic Science School are two major religious schools in the city which are used for teaching Islamic literature.

=== Libraries ===
[[Tabriz National Library]], also known as Central Library of Tabriz, is the largest and the most famous library in the city. The Tabriz National Library has the biggest collection of classic handwritten [[Persian language|Persian]] literature in the northwest region of Iran. There are many other public libraries all around the city such as [[Tarbiat library]], Helal Ahmar, Shahid Motahhari, Shahriyar, Jafarieh, and Farhangsara.

== Infrastructure ==
=== Health systems ===
[[File:Landscape of Tabriz 05.jpg|thumb|A sunset view of the Vali-e-Asr district in Tabriz.]]
The [[Ministry of Health and Medical Education (Iran)|Ministry of Health]] operates most of the public hospitals and health centers in the Tabriz metropolitan region, some of which are aligned with the Tabriz Medical School.

=== Transportation ===
[[File:TabrizRail.jpg|thumb|[[Tabriz Railway Station]]]]
Public buses, shuttle taxis, metro, bikes, and personal cars are the main modes of transportation for Tabriz residents. The city has a network of public bus lines that link its districts and some suburbs to the city center. There is also a Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) line that runs for {{cvt|18|km|0}} from the [[Tabriz Railway Station|West Train Station]] to the Baseej Square in the far east of the city.

[[File:Tabriz Metro on Bridge.jpg|thumb|left|[[Tabriz Metro]]]]
Part of [[Tabriz Metro|Tabriz subway]] line 1 is operational since 2015 which goes from Shahgoli to Shahriyar. Several lines are planned to connect districts of Tabriz to its city center however the construction is six years behind the schedule.<ref name="Business Insider">{{cite news |author=The Economist |url=http://articles.businessinsider.com/2012-04-24/news/31391440_1_saeed-jalili-ali-akbar-salehi-iranian-envoys |title=All This War Talk Is Ruining The Lives Of Ordinary Iranians |newspaper=The Economist |date=2012-04-24 |publisher=Articles.businessinsider.com |access-date=2013-02-11 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120707090057/http://articles.businessinsider.com/2012-04-24/news/31391440_1_saeed-jalili-ali-akbar-salehi-iranian-envoys |archive-date=2012-07-07}}</ref> The government of [[Iran]] had planned to finish {{cvt|6|km|0}} of line No.1 of the network in 2006, but this was not achieved due to financial problems and currently only half of the track for the metro line has been laid.<ref name="Business Insider" />

Tabriz is linked to Europe through Turkey's [[Road 32 (Iran)|roads]] and [[Bazargan, Iran|Bazargan]] ([[Azerbaijani language|Azerbaijani]], [[Persian language|Persian]]: بازرگان ) border. Tabriz is connected to [[Tehran]] by [[Freeway 2 (Iran)]].

The city is linked to [[Iran]] National Railways ([[IRIR]], [[Persian language|Persian]]: رجا ) also to Europe by Turkey's railways via [[Ghotour]] (Azerbaijani, Persian قطور) bridge in [[West Azerbaijan]] province of Iran. Tabriz was the first city in [[Iran]] to be served by railways with the construction of the Tabriz-[[Jolfa, Iran (city)|Jolfa]] line in 1912–1914 (later converted to broad-gauge in 1916). [[Tabriz Railway Station]] is located in the western part of the city, at the end of [[Khomeyni]] Street.

[[Tabriz International Airport]] opened in 1950 and is the only international airport in [[East Azerbaijan]] (since 1991). It has daily and weekly domestic flights to [[Tehran]], [[Isfahan]], [[Kish Island]], [[Shiraz]], and [[Mashhad]]. It also has daily and weekly flights to [[Istanbul]], [[Tbilisi]], [[Baghdad]] and [[Baku]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://tabriz.airport.ir/ |title=تبریز – صفحه اول |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151024132127/http://tabriz.airport.ir/ |archive-date=2015-10-24}}</ref>

== Sports ==
[[File:Sahand Stadium.jpg|thumb|[[Sahand Stadium]] in a [[Tractor SC|Tractor]] football match]]

Tabriz is a hub for the major sports events in the region. The city has a couple of sports complexes. The major sports complex inside the city is [[Takhti Stadium (Tabriz)|Bagh Shomal]] complex which includes a soccer stadium, swimming pool, an arena for basketball and volleyball. There is also a bigger sports complex which is named the Olympic village which has a [[Yadegar-e Emam Stadium (Tabriz)|soccer stadium]] and a [[Tabriz Cycling Track|cycling track]]. They are several other smaller complexes for martial arts, swimming pools, and gymnasiums. Among many different sports activities [[soccer]] and [[cycle sport|cycling]] got more attention because of the cities teams and international events which are held in the city.{{citation needed|date=January 2023}}

===Football===
Football is a major part of the city's culture. [[Tractor SC]] is one of the most popular football clubs in Iran and Asia. Tractor play in the [[Iran Pro League]]. The home stadium for Tractor is the city's major stadium, [[Sahand Stadium]] which has the capacity of 80,000 people.

In June 1976 [[Bagh Shomal Stadium]] of Tabriz hosted part of the final tournament of the [[1976 AFC Asian Cup|AFC Asian Cup]] games.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.rsssf.org/tables/76asch.html |title=Asian Nations Cup 1976 |publisher=Rsssf.com |date=2007-01-19 |access-date=2013-07-10 |archive-date=2013-05-30 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130530141820/http://rsssf.com/tables/76asch.html |url-status=live }}</ref>

===Futsal===
The city's main [[futsal]] club is [[Mes Sungun FSC|Mes Sungun]] which was founded in 2010 and plays at the [[Shahid Poursharifi Arena]] in the city. The club won most of the [[Iranian Futsal Super League]] and won [[AFC Futsal Championship]] in 2018.

===Cycling===
Tabriz is also home for [[Azerbaijan Cycling Tour]] which is held on a yearly based calendar since 1986. This cycling tour is the most prestigious cycling tour in Iran. Tabriz is also home for [[Tabriz Petrochemical Cycling Team]], a cycling team which is competing in [[Union Cycliste Internationale|UCI]]-sanctioned competitions through Asian continents.

===Ski===
[[Sahand Ski Resort|Sahand]] and [[Yam Ski Resort|Yam]] ski resorts are located in an hour drive from Tabriz. Depending on the perception, both resorts start operation from late December till early March.

== Media ==
[[File:Tabriz, IRIB.jpg|thumb|Sahand TV main building]]

Tabriz has one state television channel called Sahand TV that broadcasts in both [[Persian language|Persian]] and [[Azerbaijani language|Azerbaijani]] languages. It broadcasts internationally through the Arabsat and Intelsat satellites.<ref name="tabriz.irib.ir">{{cite web |url=http://tabriz.irib.ir/ |title=پایگاه اطلاع رسانی صدا و سیمای مرکز آذربایجان شرقی |publisher=Tabriz.irib.ir |access-date=2012-04-02 |archive-date=2019-04-03 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190403195235/http://tabriz.irib.ir/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

The city has one government-controlled radio channel broadcasting in both [[Persian language|Persian]] and [[Azerbaijani language|Azerbaijani]] languages.<ref name="tabriz.irib.ir" />

The 14 weekly magazines and 8 main newspapers published in the city include: Amin, Mahd Azadi, Asr Azadi,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.asreazadi.com/ |title=روزنامه سراسری عصر آزادی |publisher=Asreazadi.com |access-date=2013-02-11 |archive-date=2012-01-15 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120115045826/http://www.asreazadi.com/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Fajr Azarbaijan, Saeb Tabriz, Payam Noor, Navaye Misho and Saheb.<ref name="www5.irna.ir">{{cite web |url=http://www5.irna.ir/ |title=Islamic Republic news Agency |publisher=irna.ir |access-date=2013-02-11 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130326014735/http://www3.irna.ir/ |archive-date=2013-03-26}}</ref>

== Famous natives ==
Within its long history, Tabriz was always the origin for many Iranian illumination and modernization movements. This is why the city was the hometown of numerous Iranian dominant figures including many Iranian politicians, revolutionaries, artists, and military leaders. Here a partial list of some of the most notable people who were born or lived in Tabriz.

''For a complete list see: [[:Category:People from Tabriz]] and [[List of people from Tabriz]]''
<gallery class="center">
File:Khoy - Shams Tabrizi's tomb 8 - Information in page 1 - panoramio.jpg|[[Shams Tabrizi]], poet
File:Naser al din(5).jpg|King [[Naser al-Din Shah Qajar]]
File:Iraj mirza picture.jpg|[[Iraj Mirza]], poet
File:Sattar khan.jpg|[[Sattar Khan]], a pivotal figure in the Iranian Constitutional Revolution
File:Bagherkhan.jpg|[[Bagher Khan]], a pivotal figure in the Iranian Constitutional Revolution
File:Shahbanu of Iran.jpg|[[Farah Pahlavi]], is the widow of [[Mohammad Reza Pahlavi]] and was the Shahbanu (empress) of Iran
File:Colonel pesyan.jpg|[[Mohammad Taqi Pessian]], gendarme and pilot
File:Ahmad Kasravi portrait.jpg|[[Ahmad Kasravi]], linguist, nationalist, religious reformer, historian and cleric
File:Farhad Fakhreddini 02 (cropped).jpg|[[Farhad Fakhreddini]] composer, conductor and founder of [[National Iranian Symphony Orchestra|Iran's National Orchestra]]
File:Shahriar.jpg|[[Mohammad-Hossein Shahriar]], poet
File:Gholam-Hossein Saedi.jpg|[[Gholam-Hossein Sa'edi]], writer
File:Samad Behrangi.JPG|[[Samad Behrangi]], teacher, social critic, folklorist, translator, and writer
File:Muhammad Husayn Tabataba'i - 1940s.jpg|[[Muhammad Husayn Tabataba'i|Muhammad Husayn Tabatabai]], Allamah
File:Tahmineh Milani.jpg|[[Tahmineh Milani]], film director
File:Azim Gheichisaz (portrait).jpg|[[Azim Gheychisaz]], mountain climber and summiter of all 14 [[Eight-thousander]]s
File:Parvin etesami.jpg|[[Parvin E'tesami|Parvin Etesami]], 20th-century Persian poet of Iran
File:Mohammad Kazem Shariatmadari - March 1982 (cropped).jpg|[[Mohammad Kazem Shariatmadari]], Iranian Grand Ayatollah
File:Dariush Shayegan 1.jpg|[[Dariush Shayegan]], philosopher and former university professor
File:Tehran derby by Mojnews 2.jpg|[[Karim Bagheri]], professional football player and coach
File:Major General Fakori 2.JPG|[[Javad Fakoori]], prominent military official and defence minister
</gallery>

==Twin towns – sister cities==
{{See also|List of twin towns and sister cities in Iran}}
Tabriz is [[Sister city|twinned]] with:<ref>{{cite web |title=Tabriz and Shanghai agree to be sister cities |url=https://en.tabriz.ir/News/281/Tabriz-and-Shanghai-agree-to-be-sister-cities-.html |website=tabriz.ir |publisher=Tabriz |date=2019-05-06 |access-date=2020-06-19 |archive-date=2021-01-28 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210128020427/https://en.tabriz.ir/News/281/Tabriz-and-Shanghai-agree-to-be-sister-cities-.html |url-status=live }}</ref>
{{div col|colwidth=17em}}
*{{Flagdeco|AZE}} [[Baku]], Azerbaijan (1980)
*{{Flagdeco|TUR}} [[Erzurum]], Turkey (2011)
*{{Flagdeco|AZE}} [[Ganja, Azerbaijan|Ganja]], Azerbaijan (2015)
*{{Flagdeco|PSE}} [[Gaza City]], Palestine (2013)
*{{Flagdeco|TUR}} [[Istanbul]], Turkey (2010)
*{{Flagdeco|IRQ}} [[Karbala]], Iraq (2016)
*{{Flagdeco|RUS}} [[Kazan]], Russia (2004)
*{{Flagdeco|TJK}} [[Khujand]], Tajikistan (2011)
*{{Flagdeco|BLR}} [[Mogilev]], Belarus (2012)
*{{Flagdeco|CHN}} [[Shanghai]], China (2019)
{{div col end}}

== Consulates ==
Azerbaijan and Turkey have consulate offices in Tabriz. Formerly the [[Soviet Union]] and the United States had consulate offices in Tabriz. The US consulate office closed after the 1979 [[Islamic revolution]] and the USSR's office closed after the [[History of the Soviet Union (1985–1991)|collapse of the USSR]] in 1991.{{citation needed|date=January 2023}}

== Panoramic view ==
{{wide image|Panorama of Tabriz.jpg|1000px|Panoramic view of Tabriz from El Goli, August 2010}}

== See also ==
*[[Pardis Animal Shelter]]
*[[Tabriz Khanate]]
*[[Timeline of Tabriz]]
{{Commons category-inline|Tabriz}}

{{Wikivoyage inline}}

{{clear}}

== Notes ==
{{notelist}}

== References ==
{{Reflist}}

==Sources==
*{{cite book |last=Bosworth |first=C. Edmund |author-link=Clifford Edmund Bosworth |date=2013 |title=Historic Cities of the Islamic World |publisher=Brill |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=CgawCQAAQBAJ |isbn=978-9004153882}}
*{{cite book |editor1-last=Cronin |editor1-first=Stephanie |title=Iranian-Russian Encounters: Empires and Revolutions Since 1800 |date=2013 |publisher=Routledge |isbn=978-0415624336}}
*{{cite book |chapter=The ''Dīvān'' of Sultan Ahmad Jalayir and the Diez and Istanbul Albums |first=Massumeh |last=Farhad |pages=485-512 |title=The Diez Albums: Contexts and Contents |editor-first1=Julia |editor-last1=Gonnella |editor-first2=Friederike |editor-last2=Weis |editor-first3=Christoph |editor-last3=Rauch |publisher=Brill |year=2017 }}490
*{{cite book |title=Picturing History at the Ottoman Court |first=Emine |last=Fetvacı |publisher=Indiana University Press |year=2013 }}
*{{cite journal |last1=Ghodrat-Dizaji |first1=Mehrdad |title=Administrative Geography of the Early Sasanian Period: The Case of Ādurbādagān |journal=Iran: Journal of the British Institute of Persian Studies |date=2007 |volume=45 |issue=1 |pages=87–93 |doi=10.1080/05786967.2007.11864720 |s2cid=133088896}}
*{{cite book |last=Zakrzewski |first=Daniel |title=Cities of Medieval Iran |publisher=Brill |year=2018 |isbn=978-90-04-43433-2 |editor-last1=Durand-Guédy |editor-first1=David |editor-last2=Mottahedeh |editor-first2=Roy |editor-last3=Paul |editor-first3=Jürgen |pages=352–394 |chapter=Local Elites and Dynastic Succession: Tabriz prior to, under and following Mongol Rule (Sixth/Twelfth to Ninth/Fifteenth Centuries) |url=https://brill.com/view/journals/eurs/16/1-2/article-p352_13.xml?language=en}}

==Bibliography==
{{See also|Timeline of Tabriz#Bibliography|l1=Bibliography of the history of Tabriz}}

== External links ==
*{{Official website|https://tabriz.ir/}}

{{S-start}}
{{Succession box|title=Capital of [[Khwarazmian Empire]] (Persia)|before= [[Ghazna]]|after=-|years=1225–1231}}
{{Succession box|title=Capital of [[Ilkhanate]] (Persia)|before= [[Maragha]]|after=[[Soltaniyeh]]|years=1265–1306}}
{{Succession box|title=Capital of [[Kara Koyunlu|Kara Koyunlu dynasty]]|before= -|after=-|years=1375–1468}}
{{Succession box|title=Capital of [[Aq Qoyunlu|Aq Qoyunlu dynasty]]|before= [[Amid]]|after=-|years=1468–1478}}
{{Succession box|title=Capital of [[Safavid Empire]] (Persia)|before= [[Samarkand]]|after=[[Qazvin]]|years=1501–1555}}
{{S-end}}

{{Authority control}}

{{Tabriz landmarks}}
{{Tabriz Monuments}}
{{Iranian Architecture}}
{{East Azerbaijan Province|state=collapsed}}
{{Tabriz County|state=collapsed}}
{{Provincial capitals of Iran}}

[[Category:Tabriz| ]]
[[Category:Populated places in Tabriz County]]
[[Category:Cities in East Azerbaijan province]]
[[Category:Iranian provincial capitals]]
[[Category:Ancient Iranian cities]]
[[Category:Populated places along the Silk Road]]
[[Category:Architecture in Iran]]
[[Category:Archaeological sites in Iran]]
[[Category:Former capitals of Iran]]
[[Category:Populated places destroyed by earthquakes]]