Discover Tabriz in Western Iran

Tabriz in Western Iran is a great introduction for the first time visitor to this amazing country. It is a fascinating bazaar with freelance guides who are passionately helpful.

This huge sprawling city was once the Iranian capital and has proven to be extremely influential in the country's recent history.

Tabriz can be freezing cold during the winter and sometimes stiflingly hot and smoggy in the summer but whatever the climate the welcome you will receive here will be extremely warm.

Sights

Bazaar

The covered bazaar covers approximately 7 sq km and has 24 separate caravanserais and 22 impressive domed halls (timches). All in all the whole thing is truly magnificent.

Construction of the bazaar started over a millennium ago and much of the brick vaulting is 15^th century.

Once in the labyrinth of the bazaar you will find yourself in a colorful maze and probably only emerge when carelessness or chance dictates.

The carpet sections, of which there are several, are separated by type and knot size.

There are still a few shops in the spice bazaar that sell herbal remedies and natural perfumes.

And there are a couple of hat shops that sell the traditional papakh (Azari hats). These are made from tight curled astrakhan wool and the younger the lamb the better quality the wool.

There are also quarters that are dedicated to household goods, shoes and gold.

Even though the bazaar is huge it can easily be missed. A good entrance to use is the second narrow passage east of the tourist information office. This will take you into the jewelry section.

Blue (Kabud) Mosque (Iman Khomeini St, 9am-7pm Sat-Thurs, 9am-1pm fri)

The Blue Mosque was built in 1465 and was one of the most glorious buildings of its era. After the mosque was constructed it took a further 25 years for artists to cover every surface with blue majolica tiles and intricate calligraphy.

Flattened by an earthquake in 1773 the mosque lay in a pile of rubble until 1951. Today the superstructure is complete but only on the rear entrance portal can you see any hint of the original blue exterior.

If you would like to meet some English speaking students then you need to go to the Khaqani garden just outside.

Azarbayjan Museum (Iman Khomeini St, 8am-2pm & 4-8pm sat-Thurs, 8am-12.30 Fri)

You will enter the Azarbayjan Museum through a brick portal with huge wooden doors that are guarded by two stone rams.

On the ground floor you will find exhibits that include finds from Hasanlu, a 3000 year old copper helmet and unusual stone handbags from the 3^rd millennium BC. These were found close to Kerman and were thought to be symbols of wealth that were carried by provincial treasurers.

Move down to the basement and you will see the powerful and disturbing sculptural allegories of life and war by Ahad Hossein.

Tours

ALP Tours & Travel Agency offers the visitor a great choice of Friday trips including sightseeing or winter sports.

Davoud Faraji (www.alb.ir) is run by a private individual (Davoud Faraji) who is energetic and sensitive to the tourists varying tastes.

Hossein Ravaniyar (www.iranoverland.com) is another privately run company. The guy who runs this company is somewhat eccentric with a great sense of humor which more than makes up for his driving style. He will also help over-landers with their vehicle paperwork.

Accommodation

There are several choices of hotels in Tabriz from budget hotels to top end hotels. But unless otherwise stated be advised that all rooms will share communal squat toilets.

Restaurants

In Tabriz there are several decent dining options such as the restaurant Tatly where the ceilings soar to five pointed star lamps, the Honarmandan (a vaulted underground eatery) or the Modern Tabriz Restaurant where olde world charm meets new world charm.

During the winter months labu (beets) are sold boiled or roasted from carts along Iman Khomeini Street.

Source: Iran - The Lonely Planet