A Brief History
East Azerbaijan province is a part of the ancient land of Medes until the time of Alexander and his successors, Azerbaijan was called a part of Medes or small Medes. But during the time of Alexander the Great, in 331 BC, a general named Aturpat or Atropatan, who was the governor of the small Med region, rose in this land and then concluded a treaty to prevent Azerbaijan from being handed over to the Greeks. Alexander left him there on the condition that Atropate considers himself a subordinate of his empire. After the death of Iskandar and bloodshed among his successors, Atropat became the ruler of this region, and in recognition of his services in preventing the influence of foreigners in this area, Mad Kokhch was called Sardar Atropat, and then it was known by different names, like Azar Badgan and Azar Abadgan.
During the Sassanid period, Azarpatkan was one of the important states of Iran and, according to the Greeks, was a satrap, which became known as Azerbaijan due to the existence of the famous fire temple of Azar Ghasab and other fire temples.
Climate and weather
The climate of East Azerbaijan is mountainous and cold and dry. This city has moderate summers, very dry and little rain, and cold and long winters. The average maximum temperature of Tabriz in July, the hottest month of the year, reaches 25 degrees Celsius, and in January, the coldest month of the year, the average temperature is -2 degrees Celsius.
When to Go to East Azerbaijan?
The best months for good weather in East Azerbaijan are May, June, July, August, and September.
Recommended month for traveling to East Azerbaijan Province
MAY - AUGUST
Where to Go in East Azerbaijan?
Tabriz
Tabriz is the capital of East Azerbaijan province. In the past, this city has had different names such as Torez, Tori, Taveriz, and Tapriz. Most of the people who live in Tabriz speak Azerbaijani Turkish. Tabriz is one of the oldest centers of the provinces.
One of the tourist attractions of Tabriz is the Qajar Museum, which was the home of Amir Nizam Grossi in the past. By visiting this museum, you will have a short and fascinating trip to the Qajar era. This museum has many rooms, and in each of these rooms, valuable objects of that period such as coins and weapons are kept.
One of the most visited places in Tabriz is Ashtarak Shah. The garden has a palace and a large pond, which is located in the middle of this pond, like a house in the middle of an island. This garden is more spectacular at night than during the day.
Kandovan
Kandovan is a village in Esko city, which has a history of seven thousand years. This village was registered as a national monument in 1376. Kandovan is similar to a beehive because the houses of this village are built in the heart of the mountain.
Maraghe
After Tabriz, Maragheh is considered the largest city in East Azarbaijan province. This city is located next to the Sufi Chai River and is one of the most beautiful cities in Azerbaijan. This city has had many names in the past, the most important of which is Marava or Maravia.
Ohadi Maragheh Mausoleum
The great poet and mystic, Rukn al-Din Abolhassan Maraghhi is buried in Maragheh. This poet is buried in a green garden that attracts fans of poetry and literature every year.
Ghaffarieh Dome
This dome, which was built by Abu Saeed Bahadur Khan, is located northwest of Maragheh. This building is in the form of a square cube built on a stepped platform. It can be said that Maragheh Red Dome was a model for the construction of this dome.
Kalibar
One of the cities of East Azerbaijan is called Kalibar, which has a mild mountainous climate. The weather, pastures, and forests around this city have made this city become one of the tourism centers of Azerbaijan in recent decades. In the past, this city was known as Baz or Bazin.
Mutalliq hot water
This spring is located in Abish Ahmed village and is one of the famous springs in the Arasbaran region. The water of this spring is famous for its healing properties. The villagers of this area use the water of this spring for their bathing.
Peygham Valley
This valley is very famous in Kalibar city. The river passing through this valley and the presence of the message castle make this valley look more attractive. The presence of various fruit trees and the excellent landscape of this valley has attracted many nature lovers to the region.
Jolfa
This city, which was one of the parts of Marand city in the past, today has become an independent city in the northwest of Azerbaijan province due to commercial reasons. Jolfa is in the neighborhood of Armenia and is considered one of the important border and customs cities.
Maharan Waterfall
This spectacular waterfall is located next to the Aras River and its height is about 15 meters. People who are very interested in nature tourism, travel to Maharan village every year to visit this waterfall, and during their trip, they get to know the wild grasslands and summer cottages around the waterfall.
Top Dishes in East Azerbaijan
Kofte Tabrizi
If we want to introduce one of the most delicious dishes of East Azarbaijan province, we will undoubtedly mention Tabrizi meatballs, which are well-known and have countless fans.
Minced meat, cobs, vegetables, rice, eggs, paste, and spices are the necessary ingredients to make Tabrizi meatballs. Many Tabrizians fill the meatballs with walnuts, barberry, onion, and plums, and this makes this dish taste more delicious.
Ghorabiye
Qorabiyeh is one of the traditional sweets of Tabriz, which is baked in most of the cities of East Azarbaijan, Zanjan, Qazvin, and even Turkey and Azerbaijan. This traditional sweet is one of the most expensive sweets in this province, which is used in official parties and gatherings.
Qorabiyeh is made from raw peeled almonds, eggs, vanilla, sugar, pistachio, and almond slices. After cooking, don't forget to keep them in a closed container so they don't dry out.
Abgosht
One of the dishes that you must try when traveling to Tabriz is the Abgosht this city, which is cooked in most cities of East Azerbaijan province and has fans all over Iran due to its unique taste.
Dizi Sangi is made of mutton with bone, tail, cob, onion, potato, tomato paste, tomato juice, Omani lemon, salt, and spices, and with fresh bread, vegetables, pickles, and butter, its good taste is doubled.
Dishligh
One of the old customs in most cities of Iran is to cook teething soup for a child whose first tooth is growing. Some people believe that if the people around the child eat this soup, it will make him feel less pain and teeth will come out more easily. In East Azarbaijan province, it is still customary to cook this soup, and it is cooked using ingredients such as wheat, chickpeas, pinto beans, white beans, onions, spices, cooked salt, and fried onions, walnuts, and raisins are used to decorate it.
Havij stew
If you remember a sweet dish after hearing the name of Havij stew, after reading this article, you will realize that you were wrong until now. Carrot Stew, whose original name is Tabrizi Carrot Stew, is one of the original and local dishes of East Azerbaijan province, the main ingredient of which is carrot.
In addition to carrots, this stew also contains red meat or chicken. Because stewed plums and lime juice are used in this dish, it has a sweet taste, and if you like sweet food, you can omit the plums and lemon juice, or if you want it to taste sour, use more lemon juice.
Ash-e Mast
If you have become repetitive with the noodles, we suggest you try the Ash-e Mast. Ash Mast is known as one of the most famous local dishes of East Azerbaijan. Yogurt soup is almost similar to buttermilk soup. Apart from all the vegetables and legumes that are the fixed members of Ashes, the small meatballs and yogurt are the new members of this Ash.
Shile Adas Ash
Ash Shile Adas is another local dish of East Azerbaijan that is served as an appetizer. Usually, the lentil dish is the appetizer that comes to the table next to Tabrizi meatballs. Among the delicious dishes cooked by Tabrizi chefs, lentil stew is cooked simply and easily. The main ingredients of this soup are rice, lentils, bulgur, leeks, and chives. Lentil soup with its beautiful rust and glaze, as well as its unique taste, will adorn your dining table.
Top Souvenirs of East Azerbaijan
Nogha
This sweet, which is also known as "Luca" in the local dialect, is an international sweet that is produced in different countries such as Italy and France and is very similar to Gaz. There are different types of Nogha, of which vanilla and cocoa are the most famous. This cube-shaped sweet is prepared with beaten egg white and honey, and pistachio or walnut kernels are used inside.
Ris
It is one of the old sweets of Tabriz, which is called "Sut Shirini Si" in the local dialect. The main ingredients of Ris are milk, sugar, and pistachios. This tasty sweet is produced in different types, of which Tasbihi and cocoa have more fans.
Rahat Al-Holghom
It is very common to use this type of sweet, which originates from Turkey, on holidays and on Yalda night with nuts. The main ingredient in cooking it is starch and it has two types: simple and nutty. To attract the attention of all tastes, this sweet is produced in different colors and flavors.
Nuts
The high quality of Tabriz nuts is world famous and its export to various countries dates back to the Qajar period. One of the reasons for the quality of Tabriz nuts is that, due to the favorable climate, most of the nuts except pistachios, are grown in Tabriz and its surrounding cities. The same access to fresh and diverse dried fruit on the one hand and its good and skillful preparation, on the other hand, make Tabriz nuts one of the best nuts in Iran.
Handicrafts
Moaragh Kari
Among other handicrafts of East Azarbaijan province, it is possible to mention Moaragh Kari. It is said that this art dates back to the Seljuk era. This industry existed in other cities such as Herat, Yazd, Aran and Bidgol, Samarkand, and Kashan, and the master craftsmen decorated buildings and mosques to their taste.
Monabat Kari
Wood carving is one of the handicrafts of the people of East Azerbaijan province. Great, intelligent, and sophisticated master craftsmen make their motifs in a very prominent way on the wood, and the tourists who come to this city are fascinated by this craft.
Leather shoes
The city of Tabriz has a famous history in the leather industry. Iran's first leather factory was opened in Tabriz city in 1308. The most precious leather product of Tabriz is its hand-embroidered shoes, which are world-famous. The high quality of leather, delicate and elaborate sewing, durability, and comfort have made Tabriz hand-embroidered shoes have many fans inside and outside the country.