Monuments in Tabriz

Several times in its history (e.g., in 858, 1041, and 1721), Tabriz was devastated by earthquakes which wiped out most of the historic monuments. One important monument that has survived these earthquakes is the Tabriz Citadel (Ark-e Tabriz or Ark-e Alishah), a ruin of vertical book-shaped elements. The Blue Mosque of Tabriz

(مسجد کبود Gouy-Masjed) is another important monument in the city.

Only a few historical monuments remain today such as Blue Mosque, Arg-e Tabriz, and Azarbaijan Museum. If you visit Tabriz during winter, you can ski near this old town.

Ark or Citadel of Tabriz

Ark-e Tabriz in Persian (also called Masjid-e Alishah, Arg-e Alishah) is the impressive remainder of a great and imposing building in the town.

The Arg, a huge and crumbling brick citadel, is a notable landmark that was built in the early 14th century on the site of a massive mosque which collapsed over 500 years ago, and which must been one of the largest ever constructed.

Inside the Citadel there is nothing except two arches and an indication of the position of the mehrab; Ali Shah"s court has been covered with ignoble buildings, the sanctuary walls have been rebuilt and propped up, and it is hard to believe that any part of this place was ever a mosque.

Blue Mosque

The Blue Mosque (or Masjid-e Kaboud) on the north side of town, is a 15th-century structure destroyed partially by one of Tabriz"s recurrent earthquakes. The entrance portal with its two minarets appears to have been connected with the main prayer hall (Shabestan) under the largest cupola of the mosque, by means of vaulted corridor. On both sides along the corridor, there stand the remains of the chambers with vaulted roofs.

The walls of the mosque have been riveted with marble slabs and decorated with superb mosaic tiles. Some of the blue mosaics in the mosque"s portal are heavily damaged and half missing.

In Tabriz, you can visit Kabud (Blue) Mosque which may be considered one of the masterpieces of Iranian tilework.

It was built under Timurid Dynasty ruler Jahan Shah in 1465. Although it was seriously damaged by an earthquake, it is still eminent for the most elaborate tilework, remarkable quality of work and the finesse of the designs.

What has remained today are a few pillars, the main gate, sections of the ceiling. a dome and parts of the outer wall.

The mosque has four Evan courtyards with an entrance from each side. The mehrab (a special area in mosque decorated with tile and calligraphy showing the direction to Mecca) is in a smaller room with a dome.