Shrine of Safi-ad-din Ardabili: An AstonishingUNESCO World Heritage Site

As a distinctive and prominent historical building in the heart of Ardabil, the magnificent tomb is the burial site of Safi-ad-din Ardabili, an eminent leader of the Safavid order. Built between the beginning of the 16th and the end of the 18th century, this tomb contains amazing ornamentations contributed by great masters making it a historical and cultural glory of Iranian architecture even after several centuries. Embedding dozens of innovative works in various concepts of artistic fields such as the best tile works, stucco work, elegant inscriptions, works of great calligraphers of the Safavid period, silver and gilded works and precious painting and inlays, the monument is known as an outstanding piece of architecture. The house and monastery of Sheikh are in the same place, coupled with the shrine of Shah Ismail I and the tombs of other princes which are placed in the same building. The monument is built by Sadrodin Musa, the sun of this famous mystic. As an important site of pilgrimage throughout the Safavid period, several units were added to this collection as an important site of pilgrimage throughout the Safavid period by Safavid kings due to their great respect for their grandfather. During the reign of Shah Abbas I, the king often visited this shrine and lots of works were done to complete and adorn this monument.

This complex was one of the most memorable historical monuments of the Safavid dynasty and was registered as a valuable and historic site in 2010 on the UNESCO World Heritage List.

Shrine of Safi-ad-din Ardabili

Fun activities to enjoy around Neor Lake.

Neor, the biggest lake of Ardebil province, is laid on the heights of northwestern Iran and is one of the best refugees from the summer heat in Iran. The beautiful lands in northwest of Iran offer a pleasant and fresh chill to nature lovers. With 210 hectares width, the water in the beautiful Neor Lake is supplied by the numerous sweet water springs around it and the aromatic herbs around the lake like mints, buttercup, clover and etc. make the whole atmosphere fragrant and fresh. Many bird species live around this lake and the good thing is that hunting is forbidden in this area. Neor Lake is a wonderful place for different nature based activities:

 

Neor Lake, Ardebil-Iran.

Fishing

This lake is home to different types of fish like the unique Rainbow Trout. A fun and exciting fishing competition is held around Neor Lake every year during September.

Biking

Biking on the flat plains and breathing the peaceful and clean air around Neor Lake is an experience that might not be reachable anywhere during summer.

Horse riding

The strong and healthy horses nurtured in this area and the vast lands lead to an amazing horse riding experience around Neor Lake.

Winter sports

As the winter arrives, Neor Lake is frozen and the hills are covered with snow. At this time, this area changes into a wonderful hangout for winter sport lovers like the skiers and patinage players.

There are many more fun activities that can be done around Neor Lake like, boating, trekking, photography, and having a tasty fresh fish kebab.

Biking around Neor Lake, Ardebil-Iran.

The legends of Sabalan Mount.

Known as the miraculous and great mountain in the northwest of Iran and the third highest peak in Iran, Sabalan is located 25 kilometers away from Meshgin-Shahr city in Ardebil province, where the climate is as fresh and young as a baby tiger and the landscapes are insanely beautiful! Sabalan is an extinct volcano and the altitude of the peak is 4811 meters.

Sabalan Peak. Ardebil-Iran

Mausolée de Sheikh Safi al-Din

L'Ensemble du Khānegāh et du sanctuaire de Sheikh Safi al-Din, un complexe historique, situé á Ardebil dans le nord-ouest de l’Iran, est inscrit sur la liste du patrimoine mondial de l'humanité à cause de de son architecture fabuleuse et unique depuis 2010. Sheikh Safi al-Din, le maître soufi, était l’ancêtre de Shah Ismail, le fondateur de la dynastie safavide. Les Safavides ont régné sur l'Iran pendant 220 ans. Sheikh Safi al-Din avait une personnalité honorable et ses partisans lui considérait comme un guide spirituel à cause de sa grâce et générosité. En 1335, Sheikh Safi al-Din est décédé à l'âge de 85 ans et il a été enterré dans une pièce de son propre monastère. 

Iran North by Northwest tour by Uppersia.

The cities in the Northwest of Iran like Tabriz and Ardebil, show a different face from the central cities of this country. This is a mountainous and lush area with a cool climate, great architectural heritages and dazzling natural landscapes.

On the IranNorth by Northwest tour of Uppersia, which is an 8-day tour to the land of Azeri and Gilaki people, three of the cities of this untouched area are going to be deeply explored.

Sheikh Safi eddin’s tomb, a home to generosity.

  Khanqah (monastery) and tomb of Sheikh- Safi eddin- Ardebili is a great historical complex in Ardebil, located in northwestern Iran.

  Sheikh Safi eddin was the ancestor of Safavid kings who ruled Iran for 220 years. Sheikh Safi eddin had a very decent personality and the people believed in him as a moral leader because of his amnesty and generosity. His thin and weak body was due to all the penance he put himself through and he grew so sick in the last days of his life, when he had nothing except water and sugar as his meals but he was still focused on moral duties and he assigned his own monastery to a place for feeding and helping the poor. On 1335 Sheikh Safi eddin passed away while he was 85 years old and he was buried in a room of his own monastery.

  Sheikh Safi eddin’s tomb which is built in1335 is registered in UNESCO’s list of world heritage sites because of its fabulous and unique architecture. The walls and arcs are constructed by baked bricks, laid out in amazing geometrical and rhythmic forms. The domes and some other walls are ornamented with turquoise and ultramarine blue tiles forming religious phrases and simple geometric patterns. Fantastic Muqarnas is done inside the monument. Muqarnas is an Iranian ornamenting art and it includes geometric and rhythmic forms, spreading in different floors of inner surface of the dome and half domes. The whole complex is built under influence of Sufism philosophy.

  In 1539, two pieces of twin carpets were weaved for this holy tomb that are known as one of world’s most fabulous art pieces. The beautiful toranj (medallion) at the center and delicate floral margins have made these carpets comparable to famous abstractive paintings in the world. One of these two carpets is now kept in Victoria and Albert Museum.

  Jannat Sara mosque, Ghandil Khane and Chini khane are other parts of this historical complex. Shah Ismail (the first Safavid king) and the soldiers of Chalderan war that happened between Safavid and Ottoman Empire in 1514 A.C are also buried in this complex.

  Ardebil has a cold weather, so you can enjoy visiting Sheikh Safi eddin’s tomb and other attractions of Ardebil during summer and October, when the weather is at its best. Uppersia travel is at your service for arranging you a great tour on North West of Iran, where you can visit four of world heritage sites.  

"Sheikh Safi eddin's tomb in Ardebil/Iran.