Ardabil

An ancient city in Iranian Azerbaijan, Where the dominant majority are ethnic Azerbaijanis and the primary language of the people is Azerbaijani that is called Ardabil.This city is the capital of Ardabil Province. At the 2011 census, its population was 564,365, in 156,324 families. It is known for its trade in silk and carpets. rugs of this city are renowned and the ancient carpets are considered among the best of classical Persian carpets. This ancient city is also home to a World Heritage Site, the shrine of the city, the sanctuary and tomb of Shaikh Safi ad-Din, eponymous founder of the Safavid dynasty.

 

Description

It is located on the Baliqly Chay River, about 70 km from the Caspian Sea, and 210 km from the city of Tabriz. It has an average altitude of 1,263 meters and total area of 18.011 km2. Neighboring on the Caspian Sea and the Republic of Azerbaijan, it has been of great political and economic significance throughout history, especially within the Caucasus region. It is located on an open plain 1,500 meters above sea level, just east of Mount Sabalan (4,811 m), where cold spells occur until late spring.

The province is believed to be as old as the Achaemenid era (550–330 BCE). Ardabil is mentioned in the Avesta, where prophet Zoroaster was born by the river Aras and wrote his book in the Sabalan Mountains. During the Parthian era, the city had a special importance among the cities of Azerbaijan.

 

History

Some Muslim historians attribute the foundation of the city to king Peroz I of the Sassanid Empire. The Persian poet Ferdowsi also credits the foundation of the city to Peroz I. This ancient city suffered some damages caused by occasional raids of Huns from the 4th to 6th century CE. Peroz repaired those damages and fortified the city. Peroz made it the residence of provincial governor (Marzban) of Azarbaijan.
Due to its proximity to the Caucasus, the city was always vulnerable to invasions and attacks by the mountain peoples of the Caucasus as well as by the steppe dwellers of South Russia past the mountains. In 730-731, the Khazars managed to get past the Alan Gates, defeated and killed the Arab governor of Armenia named Al-Jarrah ibn Abdallah on the plain outside the town and subsequently captured the town, as they continued their conquest.