West Azerbaijan Province is one of V the 31 provinces of Iran. It is in the northwest of the country, bordering Turkey, Iraq and Azerbaijan’s Nakhichevan Autonomous Republic, as well as the provinces of East Azerbaijan, Zanjan and Kurdistan. It is separated from Armenia by Turkey’s short border with the Azerbaijan Republic. The province of West Azerbaijan covers an area of 39,487 km2. The capital and largest city of the province is Uremia.

With an area of 43,660 square km, including Lake Uremia, the province of West Azerbaijan is located on the northwest of Iran. The climate of the province is largely influenced by the rainy winds of the Atlantic Ocean and Mediterranean. Cold northern winds affect the province during winter and cause heavy snow.

The major known ancient civilization in the region was a state between Urartian and Assyrian sphere of influence. Mannaeans in turn spoke a language related to Urartian. After the fall of Assyria, the region was known as Mantiene (or Matiene) in Greek sources. Matiene bordered on Atropatene situated east of Lake Urumiä. In the late 4th century the Sassanids incorporated the area into the neighbouring Adhurpadagan satrapy to the east. At 7th century this area was under Islamic rule. After Babak Khorramdin revolted, the grip of the Abbasid caliphate weakened, allowing some native dynasties to rise. By the first half of the 11″ century the Byzantine emperors were actively trying to found off their eastern territories, in an attempt to absorb the unstable Armenian dynasties.

West Azerbaijan possesses a rich culture, stemming from Azeri and Kurdish traditions. Many local traditions, such as music and dance, continue to survive among the peoples of the province. As a longstanding province of Persia, West Azerbaijan is mentioned favorably on many occasions in Persian literature by Iran’s greatest authors and poets:

All the nobles and grats of Iran,

Choose from Azarbaijan, Rey, and Gorgan

East Azarbaijan Province is one of the 31 provinces of Iran. It is located in Iranian Āzerbāijān , bordering with Armenia, Republic of Āzerbăijān , Ardabil, West Āzerbāijān , and Zanjān Provinces. The capital of East Āzerbāijān is Tabriz. The province covers an area of approximately 47,830 km2, with the historical city of Tabriz as the most important city of Tabriz as the most important city of this province, culturally, politically, and commercially.

The province has common borders with the current Republics of Azerbaijan, Armenia and Nakhchivan. A fine network of roads and railways connect East Āzerbaijan to other parts of Iran and neighboring countries. The highest peak of East Āzerbāijān is Sahand Mountain at 3,722 m elevation, lying south of Tabriz. East Azerbāijān enjoys a cool, dry climate, being in the main mountainous region. But the gentle breezes off the Caspian Sea have some influence on the climate of the low areas.

Ammand_Dam
Ammand_Dam

Temperatures run up to 8.9 °C in Tabriz, and 20 °C in Maraqeh, in the winter drops to 10 to 15 °C at least. The ideal seasons to visit this province are spring and summer. East Āzerbāijān is one of the most Ancient territories in Iran. During the reign of Alexander of Macedon in Iran (331 BCE), a warrior known as Attorpat led a revolt, then it was a territory of the Medes, and thereafter called Attorpatkan. Islamic researchers proclaim that the birth of the prophet Zoroaster was in this area, near Lake Orumieh (Chichesht), Konzak City. The most outstanding features of East Azarbayjan culture is language of Azari/Azerice, and folklore of this region.

Apart from this, the province also boasts numerous learned scholars, Gnostics and several national poets such as contemporary poet Ostad Mohammad Hossein Shahriyar.

Pol-e_Dokhtar_or_Bridge_of_the_Daughter_in_Iran
Pol-e_Dokhtar_or_Bridge_of_the_Daughter_in_Iran

The current leader of Iran, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei is originally from this region. Iran’s Cultural Heritage Organization has registered 936 sites of historical significance in the province. Some are contemporary, and some are from the antiquity of ancient Persia. “Zahak Citadel”, for example, is the name of an ancient ruin in East Azerbāijān, which according to various experts, was inhabited from the second millennium BC until the Timurid era. East Āzerbāijān enjoys a rich compendium of Azeri traditions.

Azerbaijani_Afshan_rug
Azerbaijani_Afshan_rug

Many local dances and folk songs continue to survive among the various peoples of the province. As a longstanding province of Iran, Azerbāijān is mentioned favorably on many occasions in Persian literature by greatest authors and poets.

Reference: Cultural Heritage, Handicrafts & Tourism Organization of Iran, Iran Travel guide. Iran: 2018

The majority of churches in Iran that possess historical and artistic value were built around the eight century A.H. or the 14th century AD, and the period thereafter. Of course, this does not mean that there were no churches existing in the country before that period.
During the reign of Shah Abbas, the Safavid king, his sagacious policies caused a sizable number of Armenians from Armenia and Azarbaijan to transfer and settle in Esfahan and other regions of Iran. A place called Jolfa was built on the banks of the Zayande-rud River in Esfahan and became the residence of these migrating people. Consequently, churches were erected in that town. Meanwhile, after a short lapse of time, some Armenians moved to Gilan and some resided in Shiraz.
After the death of Shah Abbas the First, his successor, Shah Abbas the Second, also paid close attention to the welfare of Armenians and more churches were erected in Jolfa. The influx of many Europeans during the reign of the Qajars led to the flourishing of other churches, in addition to those that were constructed previously. A number of these edifices have lasted and acquired architectural and artistic significance.
Azarbaijan is host to the oldest churches in Iran. Among the most significant are the Tatavous Vank (St. Tatavous Cathedral), which is also called the Ghara Kelissa (the black monastery). This is located at the Siahcheshmeh (Ghara-Eini) border area south of Makou. There is also the church known as Saint Stepanous, which stands 24 kilometers south of Azarbaijan’s Jolfa town.
Generally, each church has a large hall for congregational prayers; its foremost part is raised like a dais, adorned with the pictures or images of religious figures and it also serves as an altar. Here, candles are lit and the church mass is conducted by the priest. In the foreground is the praying congregation which faces the platform where the priest is leading the rites in the church; this is similar to the Muslim practice of praying facing the niche in the mosque. While the mass is being said, the people stand, kneel, or sit depending on what the rites require. The structure of churches in Iran follows more or less the pattern of Iranian architecture, or they are a mixture of Iranian and non-Iranian designs.

Churches in Iran

Interior of the Saint Stepanos Monastery.
Interior of the Saint Stepanos Monastery.

This is one of the old churches in Iran located at an intersection west of the Marand-Jolfa highway and east of the Khoy-Jolfa road. Also having a pyramidal dome, it is, nevertheless, quite beautiful and far more pleasant to behold than the Saint Tatavous church.
The general structure mostly resembles Armenian and Georgian architecture and the inside of the building is adorned with beautiful paintings by Honatanian, a renowned Armenian artist. Hayk Ajimian, an Armenian scholar and historian, recorded that the church was originally built in the ninth century AD, but repeated earthquakes in Azarbaijan completely eroded the previous structure. The church was rebuilt during the rule of Shah Abbas the Second.

Saint Mary’s Church in Tabriz

This church was built in the sixth century A.H. (12th century AD) and in his travel chronicles, Marco Polo, the famous Venetian traveler who lived during the eight century A.H. (14th century AD), referred to this church on his way to China. For so many years, Saint Mary’s served as the seat of the Azarbaijan Armenian Archbishop. It is a handsomely built edifice, with different annex buildings sprawled on a large area. A board of Armenian peers is governing the well- attended church.

Aside from the above three churches, there are others in Azarbaijan such as the old church built in the eight century A.H. at Modjanbar village, which is some 50 kilometers from Tabriz. Another one is the large Saint Sarkis church, situated in Khoy; this building has survived from the time of Shah Abbas the Second (12th century A.H.). During the reign of the said Safavid king, another edifice called the Saint Gevorg (Saint George) church was constructed, using marble stones and designed with a large dome, at Haft Van village near Shapur (Salmas). A church, also with a huge dome, likewise stands at Derishk village in the vicinity of Shapur, in Azarbaijan.

The Saint Tatavous Monastery or the Ghara Kelissa

Initially, this church in Iran comprised of a small hall with a pyramid- shaped dome on the top and 12 crevices similar to the Islamic dome-shaped buildings from the Mongol era. The difference was that the church dome was made of stone. The main part of this pyramid structure followed Byzantine (Eastern Roman) architecture, including the horizontal and parallel fringes made of white and black stones in the interior and black stones on the exterior facing.
Since the facade is dominated by black stones, the church was formerly called the Ghara Kelissa (or black monastery) by the natives. During the reign of the Qajar ruler, Fathalishah, new structures were added to the Saint Tatavous church upon the order of Abbas Mirza, the crown prince, and the governor of Azarbaijan. The renovations resulted in the enlargement of the prayer hall and the small old church was converted into a prayer platform, holding the altar, the holy ornaments and a place where the priest could lead the prayers.
The bell tower and the church entrance were situated at one side of the new building, but unfortunately, this part remained unfinished.
Meanwhile, due to border skirmishes and other political disturbances in the area during the succeeding periods, the church was abandoned and ruined. Some minor repairs have been carried out in recent years.
Each year, during a special season (in the summer), many Armenians from all parts of Iran travel to this site for prayer and pilgrimage. They come by jeeps or trucks after crossing a very rough mountainous passage.
They flock around the church, stay for a few days and perform their religions ceremonies. For the rest of the year, however, the church remains deserted in that remote area.
The additions made to the Saint Tatavous church on the order of Abbas Mirza consist of embossed images of the apostles on the facade and decorations of flowers, bushes, lion and sun figures and arabesques, all of which had been done by Iranian craftsmen. The architecture of the church interior is a combination of Byzantine, Armenian and Georgian designs. Beside the large church, special chambers have been built in the yard to shelter pilgrims and hermits.

Historical Churches at Jolfa of Esfahan

The most important historical church in Iran is the old cathedral, commonly referred to as the Vank (which means “cathedral” in the Armenian language). This large building was constructed during the reign of Shah Abbas the First and completely reflects Iranian architecture. It has a double-layer brick dome that is very much similar to those built by the Safavids. The interior of the church is decorated with glorious and beautiful paintings and miniature works that represent biblical traditions and the image of angels and apostles, all of which have been executed in a mixture of Iranian and Italian styles. The ceiling and walls are coated with tiles from the Safavid epoch.
At a corner of the large courtyard of the cathedral, offices and halls have been built to accommodate guests, the Esfahan archbishop and his retinue, as well as other important Armenian religious hierarchy in Iran. The church compound also includes a museum that is located in a separate building. The museum displays preserved historical records and relics, and the edicts of Iranian kings dating back to the time of Shah Abbas the First. It also contains an interesting collection of art work.
Esfahan has other historical churches, the most important of which is the Church of Beit-ol Lahm (Bethlehem) at Nazar Avenue. There are also the Saint Mary church at Jolfa Square and the Yerevan church in the Yerevan area.

The Armenian Church in Shiraz

In the eastern section of Ghaani Avenue, in a district called “Sare Jouye Aramaneh”, an interesting building has survived from the era of Shah Abbas the Second. Its principal structure stands in the midst of a gardenlike compound and consists of a prayer hall with a lofty flat ceiling and several cells flanking the two side of the building. The ceiling is decorated with original paintings from the Safavid era and the adjoining cells are adorned with niches and arches and plaster molding, also in the Safavid style. This is considered a historical monument at Shiraz and definitely worth a visit.

Saint Simon’s Church in Shiraz

This is another relatively important, but not so old church in Shiraz. The large hall is completely done in Iranian style while the roof is Roman. Small barrel-shaped vaults, many Iranian art work and stained-glass window panes adorn the church. Meanwhile, another church called the Glory of Christ, stands at Ghalat, 34 kilometers from Shiraz. This building has survived from the Qajar period and is surrounded by charming gardens.

Saint Tatavous Church, Tehran

This edifice is located at the Chaleh Meidan district, one of the oldest districts in Tehran. It stands south of the Seyed Esmail Mausoleum, at the beginning of the northern part of the so-called Armenians’ Street. The oldest church of Tehran, it was built during the reign of the Qajar king, Fathalishah. The building has a dome-shaped roof and four alcoves, an altar and a special chair reserved for the Armenian religions leader or prelate. The vestibule leading to the church contains the graves of prominent non-Iranian Christians who have died in Iran, and in the middle of the churchyard, Gribaydof, the Czarist ambassador at the court of Fathalishah, and his companions were laid to rest. They were killed by the revolutionary forces of Tehran at that time.
Meanwhile in Bushehr, there is a church from the Qajar period that is a good specimen of Iranian architecture. All the windows are modeled after old Iranian buildings and the colored panes are purely Iranian art work.
There are also many other churches in Iran such as Ourumieh, in hamlets surrounding Arasbaran, Ardabil, Maragheh, Naqadeh, Qazvin, Hameadan, Khuzestan, Chaharmahal, Arak, in the old Vanak village north of Tehran, etc. These churches, though, are all deserted and are of little artistic significance.

Iran Spot Surfing

Starting with vibrant Tabriz with its unbeatable bazaar, and continue our trip into the seldom-visited part of our fascinating country offering a quieter and greener
per person
Tabriz
Tehran
14 Nights & 15 Days

Persian Pottery: A Masterpiece of Pottery Art

“The taste and talent of this people can be seen through the designs of their earthen wares”, R. Ghirshman

The history of the art of pottery in Iran goes back into ancient time. When agriculture came into existence and cultivation started on Iran’s plateau by primitive races of this land, people made utensils of baked clay in order to meet their needs.

pottery-persian-art-3

Earthenware is actually one of the oldest handicrafts in the world. Among the most famous old pottery, pitchers and bowls can be named. Before glass manufacturing became widespread, most dishes used by humans were pottery. The best-performing soil for pottery is clay, which because of the large amounts of iron is red.

pottery-persian-art-1

Iran can be called the birthplace of designed earthenware utensils. Designing earthenware in Iran started about 4,000 BC. In Iran pottery manufacture has a long and brilliant history. Due to the special geographical position of the country, being at the crossroads of ancient civilizations and on important caravan routes, almost every part of Iran was, at times, involved in pottery making. Yet, recent excavations and archaeological research revealed that there were four major pottery-manufacturing areas in the Iranian plateau. These included the western part of the country, namely the area west of the Zagros mountains (Lurestan), and the area south of the Caspian Sea (Gilan and Mazandaran provinces). These two areas are chronologically as far as is known today, the earliest.

pottery-persian-art

The third region is located in the northwestern part of the country, in Azarbaijan province. The fourth area is in the southeast, i.e. the Kerman region and Baluchestan. To these four regions one may also add the Kavir area, where the history of pottery making can be dated back to the 8th millennium BCE.

Currently, pottery art is popular in traditional and industrial ways in Iran, and its main centers are Laljin, Hamedan; Meybod, Yazd; Kalporagan, Sistan and Baluchestan; Shahvar, Minab; Mend, Gonabad; Zonoz, Tabriz; Kharmohre, Qom; Mazandaran; Gamaj, Gilan, Semnan; Saveh, Markazi; and Shahreza, Isfahan.

pottery-persian-art-2

Laljin, Center of Persian Pottery

Laljin is known as the Middle East pottery and ceramic center. 80 percent of the population of the city of Laljin is engaged in pottery and ceramic works. This city is one of the major centers of pottery and ceramics in Iran and the world. The products of the hard-working artists of this region, in addition to nearby cities of Iran, are exported to many other countries. Laljin’s pottery is very diverse and includes a variety of decorative and consumable dishes.

pottery-persian-art-5

Although pottery is a very old industry, but with time and expanding urban life, this art has not only disappeared but also evolved and adapted itself to the needs of today’s life. Over time, humans have drawn more beautiful styles with different colors on these dishes, and its beauty has doubled.

Most of the pottery in this area is marketed without a single-glazed stone. The products of this area are very diverse and in terms of soil and glaze, are relatively better than other parts of Iran. The colors of the glazes made in Hamedan are often Azure, Blue, Navy blue, Salmon, Yellow, Green, Turquoise and Brown.

pottery-persian-art-6

Embossed role tableau and small sculptures are among the most popular gifts in today’s world. One of the most beautiful-seeming of these days is the great pottery signs at Tehran metro stations. Mahdi Abbasi Nezhad, the pottery maker in our country, has built many of these precious pottery pieces, which we see below is an example of his art.

pottery-persian-art-7

Ardabil souvenirs are generally different from many cities of Iran. Perhaps it’s find due to good weather and its prairie. Ardabil is a province that annually receptive many tourists that they travel there to  visit  attractions such as hot water, ski resort, beautiful nature and they are instead of these place looking for  finding souvenir markets of Ardabil . Here I will introduce you to Ardabil famous souvenir. Honey slopes of Sabalan Mountain, black halva, sunflower seeds, and cream are so famous.

Other souvenirs of Ardebil province include:

  • Chocolate Rvsth
  • Butter and ghee
  • Medicinal Plants
  • Local pickle
  • Jam (flowers jam , cherries, citron, lemon, banana, carrots, etc.)

Ardebil Black halva

Ardabil black halva or “Nagorno Halva” morphologically is very similar to that halva with brown color in many parts of Iran. But this halva is cooking in Ardebil from nearly a century ago and, as traditionally cooked in special containers that called Tian .The main ingredients for making black halva  are such as wheat germ, whole grain flour, butter, honey, spices, pistachio and coconut powder.  Each of these ingredients  have their own benefits; for example, butter has energy , wheat germ has various vitamins, honey is detoxification, so base on properties black halva has warm nature and it is useful to treat cold and diseases related to bone and joint pain. Of course, many people of Ardabil are used it as food for cold weather.

If I want to explain more about the history of black halva, I can say heritage of it is  from a dear family and a few workshops can be found in the city of Ardabil that they  are cooking this halva and they held by descendants and disciples of  this family.  For having Ardebil black halva you can go Alighapoo and also visit historical monuments that are located in that area. More visitors to the region have no knowledge about black pudding and just happened to have purchased this product, but their customer will maybe try it out once. Because many people do not know what is this product, I suggest you get this delicious Halva as souvenirs of Ardabil.

The following are some of the properties of black halva that will show you the valuable parts of this souvenir:

Full of calories, protein, carbohydrate and fat

Contains vitamins B, C, E

It has minerals such as calcium, phosphorus, magnesium and amino acids

Ardabil Honey

 Honey is known souvenir of Ardabil and surrounding areas. Ardabil has honey because of the plains full of flowers and plants such as oregano, coriander, astragalus, thyme, honey and … in the foot of Sabalan and other areas of the province, you can not easily ignore high quality and taste of this honey. The required  significant percentage of honey in Iran is produced in Ardabil. This honey has waxed and it is very useful.  The honey is producing in different colors from bright yellow to dark red depending on the different  plant. Honey and their derived products are use in medical, cosmetic and food industries.

Its healing properties are as follows:

Healing

Decontamination of the digestive tract

Wound healing

Treatment of heart disease, nervous, rheumatism and …

Ardabil honey is available with different flavors. Bees gathered nectar from one or from several plants. That’s why the honey name obtained from the name of a plant.

Few examples:

Astragalus honey and thyme

Health benefits: concerns, epilepsy, respiratory disease, joint pain, improve vision

Honey clover and sainfoin

Medicinal properties: regulating the body’s hormones, sedatives

Forty plant honey

This type of honey bee plants in the spring. This plant is called Forty honey because of the diversity of their city’s power.

Medicinal properties: Housing a cough, novel lung disease

Honey Coriander

This type of honey is reddish yellow in color and is fragrant.

Medicinal properties: appetizer, tonic for the stomach, suitable for use of infectious diseases

The properties and definitions have been said on a visit to Ardabil, you get delicious honey and nourishing it.

Sunflower seeds

Another souvenir of one of the Ardabil province is sunflower seeds. This chameleon plant is grown in many regions of the province. Ardebil, West Azarbaijan and Kermanshah provinces and in the side. Another indicator manufacturers. Sunflower is one of the junk food in each round Hemi and our party Iranians could be seen, and in particular it is popularity among the Iranians. As well as seed other products such as oil will produce from it. If you wish to provide high-quality seeds,do not forget the seeds of Ardabil  and certainly there will be an attractive souvenir for the family,

Its properties include:

Has protein, phosphorous, potassium, the hydrocarbons

Contains vitamins A and B

Sedative

Prevents cramps

Promote bone health

Prevent arthriti

 Ardabil Cream

Since  in Ardabil province livestock prospered, the curd is one of the region’s animal products that can be produced in Ardabil. Natural fat skim  is delicious and obtained by boiling it and has  the creamy and delicious  taste . This one produced as souvenirs , but I think it will be something else if you use it as the  breakfast with local honey and bread  so remember to taste it.