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The city of Ardabil in northwestern Iran is the Capital of Ardabil Province. Ardabil neighbors are the Republic of Āzerbāijān and the city of Meshgin Shahr in the north, the city of Namin and Gilān Province in the east, Nir and Kowsar counties in the south and East Azerbaijān Province and part of Meshgin Shahr in the west.
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About Ardabil City
Surrounded by Mount Talesh and Mount Sabalan of the Alborz Mountain Range, Ardabil is one of the coldest cities in Iran and experiences freezing winters and mild summers. Ardabil is believed to be at least 3,000 to 5,000 years old. In Sumerian tablets Ardabil has been mentioned as Arta. In the Avesta (Zoroastrian sacred texts), the city has been mentioned as Artaville. ‘Arta’ meaning ‘sacred’ and “ville” meaning “city.”
The city is also where the Safavids created a unified Iranian state (The most significant Iranian dynasty after the fall of the Sassanid Empire (226-651 CE)).
Ardabil has several historical sites, the most important of which are Sheikh Safi al-Din Khanegah and Shrine Ensemble, Virgin Mary Church (also known as Maryam-e Moghaddas or Moqaddas Church), Haft Cheshmeh Bridge, Shater Tower, Molla Hadi Bathhouse, Ershadi House, Jom’eh Mosque and Sheikh Amin al-Din Jibrael Mausoleum.
Ardabil is a city of breathtaking nature. Some of the city’s top natural attractions include Fandoqlou Forest, Lake Neor, Lake Shorabil, Sardabeh Waterfall, Baliqly Chay River and Shorgol Wetland.
The famous Ardabil Carpets originate from this city. These 16th century carpets were a pair that once adorned the Sheikh Safi al-Din Shrine.
Ardabil was the first Iranian city to have drinking water plumbing. Due to excavations,the date of this plumbing is probably related to the Safavid period.
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Tehran International Book Fair
Fajr International Film Festival
Tehran International Tourism Exhibition