By Samaneh Aboutalebi

Tabriz Blue Mosque, a masterpiece of Islamic architecture

As an ancient historical city, Tabriz, the capital of the northwestern province of East Azerbaijan, has many sights to offer to the tourists, the highlight of which is the Blue Mosque, known as Masjed-e Kabud in Farsi. 

Turkish Airlines to resume flights to five Iranian cities, including Tehran

TEHRAN – Turkey's flag carrier Turkish Airlines has announced that it is scheduled to resume its flights to Tehran and four other major Iranian cities in September.

By Afshin Majlesi

20 wonderful, must-see cultural sites in Iran

If you ask foreign visitors to Iran about the most characteristic future they discovered during excursions in the ancient land, the most possible answers may be somewhat like these: “It is the friendliest country on Earth with loads of warm-hearted welcome!”; “It is the jewel in Islam’s crown in terms of architecture”; “Being home to fascinating cultural heritage sites”; or “a land where echoes of ancient civilizations still resonate down through the ages!”

Blue Mosque, Alishah Citadel shine more after lighting projects

TEHRAN – Exterior lighting of Blue Mosque and Alishah Citadel in the northwestern city of Tabriz, East Azarbaijan province, have been completed, provincial tourism chief has said.

Iran’s first soccer museum starts operation

TEHRAN – The first museum in Iran dedicated to soccer officially started operation in the northwestern city of Tabriz, the capital of East Azarbaijan province, IRNA reported. 

Some $9m spent to revive 14th-century Rab’-e Rashidi

TEHRAN – A budget of 370 billion rials (about $9 million at the official dollar rate of 42,000 rials) has spent on reviving the Rab’-e Rashidi in northwestern East Azarbaijan province over the past three years, a provincial tourism chief has said.

Czech globetrotters visit South Khorasan province

TEHRAN – A group of globetrotters from the Czech Republic arrived on Friday in Ayask, an ancient town in Sarayan county, eastern South Khorasan province.

23 properties in East Azarbaijan added to National Heritage List

TEHRAN – Twenty-three historical and natural sites as well as industrial properties in the northwestern East Azarbaijan province have been inscribed on the National Heritage List, CHTN reported on Sunday.

Khoy, an ancient town of sunflowers, snowcapped mountains

TEHRAN – Khoy may not be on every traveler’s radar, but it is a natural fit for eco-tourists as it offers loads of scenic hikes, panoramic views besides colorful geological features. Khoy has long been a melting pot of cultural exchange.

Human skeletons dug up at subway construction site in northwest Iran

TEHRAN – Skeletons of an individual, estimated to be laid to rest centuries ago at a once Islamic cemetery, have recently been unearthed at a subway construction site in the city of Tabriz, the capital of northwestern East Azarbaijan province.

Fire inflicts no damage to 14th-century Rab’-e Rashidi

TEHRAN – The fire that broke out in Rab’-e Rashidi in northwestern East Azarbaijan province on Wednesday has inflicted no damage to the 14th-century educational complex. 

Historical monuments undergo restoration in northwest Iran

TEHRAN – Five historical buildings and structures in northwestern East Azarbaijan province were restored during the previous Iranian calendar year 1398 (ended March 20).

75 tourism projects to come on stream in East Azarbaijan

TEHRAN – A total of 75 tourism-related projects are scheduled to be completed across Iran’s northwestern East Azarbaijan province in the current Iranian calendar year (started March 21), provincial tourism chief has said.

12 ancient sites to go in western Iran

TEHRAN – From the coasts of the Persian Gulf to the lush mountainous forests of the northwest, and from snow-tipped northern cliffs to scorching southern deserts, here is a pick of ancient sites to inspire, delight and motivate if willing to visit wild western Iran.

10-man Tractor escape defeat against Gol Gohar

TEHRAN – Akbar Imani’s late goal helped Tractor escape a defeat against Gol Gohar in Iran Professional League (IPL) on Friday.

Free-of-charge Tabriz-Jolfa passenger train launched

TEHRAN – The Islamic Republic of Iran Railways on Tuesday launched a new rail service between Tabriz and Jolfa in a month-long pilot scheme to promote traveling between the two northwestern cities.

Hotel projects worth $380m underway in northwest Iran

TEHRAN – A total of eight five- and four-star hotels are being built in Iran’s northwestern East Azarbaijan province with a total budget of 16 trillion rials (about $380 million).

President inaugurates major development projects in northwestern province

TEHRAN- Iranian President Hassan Rouhani inaugurated several development projects in Tabriz, the capital city of the northwestern province of East Azarbaijan on Wednesday, IRNA reported.

Excavations to continue at ancient Tabriz university using German expertise

TEHRAN – Excavation and restoration works will continue at Rab’-e Rashidi, a 14th-century educational complex in Tabriz, with the presence of German archaeologists for two other archaeological seasons.

Remnants of centuries-old structure found in northwest Iran

TEHRAN – Archaeologists have recently unearthed a vast centuries-old structure during excavation in Rab’-e Rashidi, a 14th-century educational complex in East Azarbaijan province, northwest Iran.

New round of restoration starts on 14th-century educational complex

TEHRAN – The third round of restoration work has recently commenced on Rab’-e Rashidi, a 14th-century educational complex in East Azarbaijan province, northwest Iran.

Tabriz hosting intl. forum on urban development, conservation of historical texture

TEHRAN – The 10th international forum on urban development with an approach toward conservation of historical texture is being held in the city of Tabriz, East Azarbaijan province, IRNA reported on Monday.

Traditional dyeing workshops still popular in Iran

Two Iranian men are preparing a traditional dye bath to color piles of wool yarns in a decades-old workshop in Tabriz, northwestern Iran, August 7, 2019. 

Iran introduces gigantic handwoven carpet

TEHRAN –President Hassan Rouhani on Thursday unveiled a gigantic handwoven carpet during the opening ceremony of an international carpet fair, running in Tabriz from August 1 to 4. 

“Tabriz event establishes synergy between tourism and handicrafts”

TEHRAN – The Iranian city of Tabriz is concurrently playing host to the 9th National Handicrafts Exhibition and the 1st Tourism Exhibition which is described by the deputy tourism chief as a “synergetic” approach to link traveling with souvenirs and handicrafts.

Historical backgrounds suit Tabriz to become child-friendly

TEHRAN – Tabriz enjoys historical backgrounds to be turned into a child-friendly city, Iraj Shahin Baher, the mayor of the northwestern Iranian city, said on Friday, Mehr reported.

Kandovan village and breathtaking rocky landscape

Kandovan is a historical village in Iran's East Azarbaijan province, near the city of Tabriz. It is one of the three rocky villages in the world and the beauties of this village have made it one of the strangest villages of the country, according to Mehr news agency.

30 hotels being built in East Azarbaijan province

TEHRAN – A total of 30 hotels and apartment hotels are under construction by the private sector across East Azarbaijan to develop the hospitality industry in the northwestern Iranian province.

Iran cruise to third at AFC U-20 Futsal Championship

Host nation Iran ended their 2019 AFC U-20 Futsal Championship campaign on a high note when they defeated Indonesia 9-1 at the Pour Sharifi Stadium on Saturday.

Tabriz to host major exhibits of tourism, handicrafts

TEHRAN – The Iranian city of Tabriz, which was once an influential adherent of the Silk Road corridor and a gateway to Europe, is to play host to major exhibits of tourism and handicrafts, IRNA reported.