The History of Tabriz

Turning the pages of the Bible, tracing the clues of Eden Garden, you will find Tabriz as the gate of paradise. Stories aside, Tabriz has always been a significant city in Iran because of its economic development and geographical location. 

Many historians believe that Tabriz was built on the ruins of Torej city in the beginning of the Sassanid Empire. This city was an essential link between the East and the West for trading. 

Throughout history, Tabriz was one of the important cities of Iran and the capital city for several dynasties, which resulted in its constant development. The charming gardens of the city and its pleasant weather during summer, turned Tabriz into an attraction for kings to spend their time there and build residences. Tabriz’s urban space is inspired by Azari culture, which is combined with Persian and western arts. You can find this city different from what you have seen in Iran and enjoy every little bit of your time exploring the elegant Tabriz. 

Tabriz Meaning

Local people believe that Tabriz means hot spring, and due to the hot springs around Tabriz that are popular, we can value this hypothesis. However, the Persian historian, Hamdollah Mostowfi, argues that Tabriz comes from two separate words, “Tab” and “Riz” which means breaking fever. The story behind this hypothesis goes back to 775 AD when Harun-al Rashid was ruling Iran. One day his wife, the queen, got sick and had a bad fever. The physicians failed to heal her, so the king organized a trip to the north-west region of Iran. Because of the cool and pleasant weather in this area, the queen got better, and her fever broke. After this incident, the king asked his men to build a city in that region and named it Tabriz, or fever breaker. Although we cannot prove the authenticity of this idea, there are no doubts that Tabriz’s weather is super pleasant and healing. 

Tabriz Weather

Tabriz looks magnificent during different seasons of the year. If you are a chionophile and love the cold weather, you would find Tabriz the land of ice and glory during fall and the very beginning of winter. The firing color of tree leaves makes an astonishing scene in El Goli and makes your heart warm. However, many people believe that Tabriz is a city to be seen in spring during late April and May Because the average temperature of the city does not go very high. This super pleasant weather is perfect for trekking Tabriz’s amazing natural wonders.

Top Must-See Attractions in Tabriz

You need to take your time, wander around the city thoroughly to see all the attractions, and enjoy watching all the details. It does not matter if you are a nature lover or you are eager to see the beauty of historical buildings; you are definitely going to appreciate Tabriz. 

El Goli

Seven kilometers away from Tabriz city center, you can find yourself inside a summer mansion surrounded by water to look like a peninsula. The kings of the Safavid Dynasty ordered the building of this place, but it was renovated multiple times during the Qajar Dynasty as well. By planting weeping willows and satin flowers all around the lake, El Goli got a new look and became a summerhouse for the Qajar royal family. 

The architects paid significant attention to Persian aesthetic principles to build a highly symmetrical mansion in the middle of the lake, which is inspired by Islamic design.

walking on the lakeside, and enjoying the flowers and stream in your way, you will see the mansion standing elegantly in front of you. The two-floor gorgeous building has arch-shaped entries and windows that guide your eye to the dome-shape golden ceiling, which looks like a cherry on top of all these beauties. 

Although you need to visit El Goli in spring and summer to get stunned with different flowers and trees, seeing the place covered with pure white snow is mesmerizing nonetheless. 

Qajar Museum

Since Tabriz was the Qajar crown prince’s house, the effect of Qajari culture on this city is undeniable. Qajar Museum or Amir Nezam House, located in Sheshgelan street, is the proof to this point. 

The architectural design of the building is just elegant. Two side staircases guild you to the main entrances of the place. You can open the doors, walk into the rooms and visit the coins, guns, and dishes all belonging to the Qajar dynasty in different halls. Like a typical Persian mansion, this house has wooden, curved windows with colorful glasses as well as exquisite Persian Carpets on the floor. 

Tabriz Bazaar

A covered bazaar located in Tabriz was more than just a local bazaar. Tabriz or Mozzafarieh Bazaar was the main commercial place in Iran and one of the major destinations in Silk Rad. Although today this bazaar is not as thriving as it used to be during the Qajar Dynasty, you can still find everything inside it. 

The major goods that can be purchased in the bazaar are perfect Tabriz carpet and leather, handmade crystals, silk, and Tabriz-made shoes that have high quality. You can also find, Persian bath called Garmabeh, caravanserai and old tea houses there. 

The interesting point about the bazaar is the three-floor design of it. The first floor is the cellar for stashing goods, and the second floor is the main bazaar where the stores are there, and the upper floor is used as a resting place for the vendors. 

Kabood Mosque

Kabood, Blue, or Jahanshah Mosque is known as the Turquoise of Islam because of its ultramarine color of the tiles, which makes it the most beautiful mosque in Tabriz. Although the exterior design of the mosque looks worn due to the massive earthquake in Tabriz, it actually acts in its favor and makes it even more picturesque. 

The courtyard of the mosque is designed with clay-made arched and green trees, which create a wonderful scene. You can sit on the bench and enjoy the atmosphere of the Blue Mosque. 

Kandovan

You cannot visit Tabriz and miss the ancient Kandovan Village. The hive-shape dwellings made by people inside the volcanic elements look like caves and can be one of the most mysterious yet exciting places you have visited. 

If you listen to the local stories, you will probably hear how these caves were built to hide people from the Mongolian army. 

In order to travel from Tabriz to Kandovan, you need to take a 48 kilometer (about one hour) trip by bus or private cars and enjoy the fascinating city. 

These amazing ecohouses are highly environment-friendly and are definitely worth visiting. 

Jolfa

The historical border city Jolfa is located between Armenia and Iran to surprise you with its magnificent Saint Stepanos Monastery.

Jolfa was known for the silkworm breeding center, and that is why the city is called Jolfa. 

The Monastery is the second significant cathedral in Iran located in the mountains surrounding the city, and is famous for the wall oil painting of Mary and Jesus. The vintage design of the place can make your heart beat harder and remember its glory for the rest of your life. 

You can travel to Jolfa from Tabriz by a private car or Tabriz-Jolfa bus or trains, which takes about two hours and visit this city. However, you should keep in mind that using private cars is the best option since getting to the church is difficult. 

Tabriz Map

Tabriz is the capital of East Azerbaijan Province located in the north-west of Iran, with a population of 1,611,000. This province shares borders with West Azerbaijan, Ardabil, and Zanjan as well. 

You can travel to Tabriz from Tehran by taking a train, which takes about 11 to 12 hours. If you want to get to Tabriz in no time, you should travel to the city via airplane. Traveling to Tabriz from Tehran by plane only takes about one hour. Also, you can take a VIP bus to arrive in Tabriz after eight hours. 

You can see The map of Tabriz below.

What Are the Best Restaurants in Tabriz?

There is an old Persian proverb that says, “if you want to have a natural cook spouse, you should marry a Turk.” All Turk people of Iran, especially Tabrizi people, are great cooks. You can find that out when you try their famous dish called Koofteh Tabrizi. 

We are going to help you find your perfect restaurant among many restaurants in Tabriz.

Berkeh Restaurant

Choosing Berkeh Traditional Restaurant would give you the experience of dining in the middle of a garden when the sparkling stream is flowing in the middle of it, and the birds are flying around. You can sit on the Persian areas decorated with backrests and Tabriz carpets and enjoy the mouthwatering aroma of foods. The fresh warm bread baked in the restaurant, along with delicious local meals served in traditional dishes, can meet all your criteria for a perfect dining option. 

Haj Ali Kababi 

If you want to taste Persian Kebabs alongside Chelo Zaferani (Persian cooked rice with saffron), you should give Haj Ali Kababi a visit.

The restaurant follows the bazaar’s pattern for its decoration and has different picture frames of previous owners on the wall as a sign of respect. 

This place is located in Tabriz Bazaar and is one of the popular restaurants in Tabriz for old marketers, locals, and even tourists who want to try an authentic Chelo Kabab, with high quality.

Baliq Restaurant

If you are craving seafood, you can go to the Bliq restaurant in Sadeqi Street. You can find many Persian meals made by fish there and enjoy the unique atmosphere of it that represents the sea to you perfectly. By looking at the huge aquarium where colorful fish are going around and listening to the sound of waves that capture the whole place, you will forget where you are and imagine yourself sitting on a boat and eating your meal. 

Reyhan Restaurant

Reyhan Restaurant, located in Baharestan Square, is where you get to see the modern side of Persian restaurants. The perfect harmony of gray wallpapers with green chairs and hanging lamps from the ceiling looks cozy and wonderful. 

There is a greenhouse inside the restaurant, which is turned into a sitting area and looks perfect for plant lovers. You can order a variety of traditional and international foods and enjoy their phenomenal tastes. 

Best Hotels in Tabriz

Only one day is not enough to visit different parts of Tabriz, so having good accomodation options will help you get a better experience from your stay in the city. .

Kaya Laleh Park Hotel

One of the best five-star Hotels that was recently built in Tabriz is called Laleh Park Hotel. The main building of the hotel looks like a skyscraper; however, the interior design of it has a more classical vibe. 

The brown marbled floor goes perfectly with the light and dark-gray furniture, and hanging crystal chandeliers brighten the place. Orchid flowers give a dashing look to the lobby, and landscape oil paintings on the wall attract your sight.

You can order a refreshment in the hotel’s cafe and enjoy drinking it while sitting on the comfortable gray and red chairs and planning your next destination.

Tabriz El Goli Pars Hotel

A half-moon glass-covered exterior of the building would be the first thing that catches your eye when you see the El Goli Pars Hotel located in El Goli road. This place is a perfect option for those who want to be away from the crowdedness of the city and enjoy resting in a five-star hotel with the view of El Goli Garden. 

Although the interior design of the hotel is not elegant like the El Goli Mansion itself, the usage of single colors in designing each section of the hotel gives it a simple look. 

Tabriz International Hotel

Inspired by Persian architecture, Tabriz International Hotel, located in Imam Khomeini Street, can offer you a peaceful accommodation. The most impressive feature of this five-star hotel is its courtyard, which is full of trees and flowers with a big pool inside of it that is turned into an outdoor restaurant. 

Although the interior design of the restaurant does not look like a five-star hotel, the professional staff and its nice location, which allows having easy access to major attractions, will keep you satisfied.  

Gostaresh Hotel

Gostaresh Hotel in Azadi Boulevard of Tabriz is a four-star hotel that has a pleasant bright atmosphere with a marbled floor that reflects the light of tiny lamps of the ceiling that look like stars. 

The design of the Gostaresh Hotel is inspired by western architecture, which makes it unique from other hotels in Tabriz. The location of the hotel allows you to access Tabriz’s wonders in no time.

The adorable Tabriz shines like an elegant diamond in the north of Iran and welcomes you from all around the world to enjoy its endless beauty, so start contacting us for more information.