Ardabil
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Ardabil (in Persian: اردبیل; also known as Ardebil; ancient name: Artavil) is a historical city in north-western Iran. The name of Ardabil came from a Zoroastrian name of "Artavil" (mentioned in Avesta) which means a holy place [link]. Ardabil is the center of Ardabil province. Its population is estimated to be around 340,386, the majority of whom are Azeri and Persian speakers. Famed for its silk and carpet trade tradition, Ardabil is also known as the seat of the sanctuary and tomb of Shaikh Safî ad-Dîn, eponym of the Safavid Dynasty. Its geographic coordinates are .
Location
Ardabil stands about 70 km from the Caspian Sea, 210 km from the city of Tabriz and 25 km from Republic of Azerbaijan's border. It has an average altitude of 1263 m and total area of 18011 km². Neighbouring on the Caspian Sea and the Republic of Azerbaijan, this city is of great political and economical significance. The province of Ardabil has been blessed with splendid natural beauty and numerous sights. It is located on an open plain 1,500 m above sea level, just east of Mount Sabalan (4,811 m), where cold spells occur until late spring.Climate
Cold and semi-arid, many tourists come to the region for its cool climate during the hot summer months maximum temperatures reaching to 35 °C . The winters are long and bitter cold, with a temperature plummeting to -25 °C. The annual rainfall is around 380 mm.History
The history of Ardabil has close connections to that of Azarbaijan. The province is believed to be as old as the Achaemenid era 2500 BC. It is mentioned in the Avesta, where Prophet Zoroaster was born by the river Aras and wrote his book in the Sabalan Mountains. Ardabil during Parthian era had a special importance among the cities of Azarbaijan. Some Muslim historians attribute foundation of Ardebil to king Peroz I of Sassanid Empire. The Persian poet Ferdowsi also credits the foundation of the city to Peroz I. Ardebil suffered some damages caused by occasional raids of Huns between 4th to 6th century AD. Peroz repaired those damages and fortified the city. Peroz made Ardebil the residential of provincial governor (Marzban مرزبان) of Azarbaijan.During the Islamic conquest of Iran, Ardabil was the largest city in Azarbaijan, and remained so until the Mongol invasion period. Ardabilis fought Mongols thrice. However the city fell after the third attempt by Mongols. They massacred not only the Ardabilis but inhabitants of neighbouring villages and towns leaving no one alive expect those in hiding. Incursions of Mongols and Georgians left the city in ruins for nearly three centuries til the advent of Safavids.
Shah Ismail I started his campaign to nationalize Iran's government and land from here, but consequently announced Tabriz as his capital in 1500CE. Yet Ardabil remained an important city both politically and economically until modern times.
Demographics
- Population (Metropolitan): about 650,000
- Religion: Mainly Shi'a Islam
- Ethnicity: Azeris
- Language: Azeri
Attractions
Historical
- The complex of Sheikh Safi-ad-Din-e-Ardabili : is an impressive ancient monument, comprising the following components: the mausoleums of Sheikh Safi and Shah Isma'il, Chini khaneh (meaning the house of chinaware), a mosque, Jannat Sara (meaning the house of paradise), Khanaqah (the house of Dervishes), Cheragh Khaneh (the house of lamps), Shahid khaneh (the house of martyrs) and Chelleh Khaneh (the place where devotees shut themselves up during the forty days of Lent). The mausoleum of Sheikh Safi, the famous dome of which is called "Allah-Allah" has an octagonal interior.
- Masjid Jameh : Ruins of once magnificent and unique Mosque.
- Mirza Ali Akbar mosque and school : This comlex dates back to Qajar period
- Ardebil bazaar : This beautiful Persian bazaar was built during Safavid period and in addition to main bazaar hall with open vaults has a hammam and a small yet mystifying mosque.
- Ardebil bridges : Ardebil host numerous historical bridges namely Pol-e Gilandeh, Pol-e Nayer, Pol-e Haft Cheshmeh, Pol-e Panj Cheshmeh and Pol-e Seh Cheshmeh most were built during Safavid era.
- Imamzadeh Saleh mausoleum : The mausoleum of Imamzadeh Saleh who is a descendent of a Shia Imam was built 250 years ago.
- Saint Mary church : This Armenian orthodox church has a beautiful wooden main door and painted dome built in 1876.
The other significant historical monuments are as follows: the mausoleum of Sheikh Jebra'il, located 2 km north of Ardabil, the old but always lively bazaar,the babadavood anbaran the Friday mosque, and a few ancient bridges. In addition to these, in many villages of Ardabil, relics of ancient monuments, including tombs have been found.
Geographical
It has many hot springs and beautiful natural landscapes and these attracts tourists. The mineral springs of Ardabil are Beele-Darreh, Sar'eyn, Sardabeh and Booshloo, being famous for their medicinal qualities throughout Iran.
It has also many beauty lakes: the largest of which are Ne'or, Shorabil, ShoorGel, NouShahr and Aloocheh that are the habitats of some species of water birds. The beautiful Lake Ne'or is located in a mountainous area 48 km south-east of the city of Ardabil. It covers an area of 2.1 km² and has an average depth of 3 metres.It is fed by springs in the lake bed.
Lake Shorabil is located in a hilly area south of the city of Ardabil and covers an area of 640,000 m². The surface of the lake is covered with a thin white layer of minerals, being useful for healing skin diseases and rheumatism. Near the lake there is the leisure complex of Shorabil.
Colleges and universities
- # Ardabil University of Medical Sciences
- # Mohaghegh Ardabili University
- # Islamic Azad University of Ardabil
- # Payam Noor University of Ardabil
- # Soureh University of Ardabil
- # Islamic Azad University of Khalkhal
Famous Ardabilis
- Roham, The hero of Azerbaijan in Shahnameh.
- Ali Daei, football player.
- Yahya Golmohammadi, Football player.
- Hossein Reza Zadeh, weightlifter and the current world record holder in the sport.
- Abdolkarim Mousavi Ardebili, Iranian politician
- Safi Al-Din Ardabili, Spiritual leader in 13th century.
- Ismail I, Founder of the Safavid dynasty
- Moghaddas Ardabili, Philosopher
Economy
The economy of Ardabil is partially agricultural, partially tourist based, with some industries in operation.The Iranian government in 2006 announced plans to build "the largest textile factory of its kind in the Middle East" in Ardabil.Link: http://www.payvand.com/news/06/jan/1190.html
References
External links
- [Azerb Link Of Ardebil]
- [Encyclopedia of Orient About Ardebil]
- [Ardebil-Iran Carvan Tourism]
- [Ardabil] entries in the Encyclopedia Iranica
- [Municipality of Ardabil]
- [Ardabil City Council]
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