TEHRAN ––A great deal of effort is being made to maintain the historical identity of Tabriz, mayor of the ancient Iranian city said on Monday.

For the time being, the centuries-old Kolah Farangi monument is being fully renovated as part of the effort, Yaqub Hushyar said on Monday.

During the Pahlavi era (1925-1979), the monument was destroyed and is being rebuilt as closely as possible to its original state, he said.

The structure is planned to be turned into a cultural center upon its completion, the official added.

However, more budget needs to be allocated to the project, he mentioned.

Home to hospitable people, Tabriz is a perfect introduction to Iran for sightseers crossing over the border from Armenia, or through the Gurbulak Bazargan border from Turkey.

Like many cities in Iran, Tabriz has a long and rich history but saw many of its historic buildings destroyed by invaders or earthquakes. Tabriz became the capital of the Mongol Il-Khan Mahmud Gazan (1295–1304) and his successor. Timur (Tamerlane), a Turkic conqueror, took it in 1392. Some decades later, the Kara Koyunlu Turkmen made it their capital. It was when the famous Blue Mosque was built in the ancient city.

The city retained its administrative status under the Safavid dynasty until 1548 when Shah Tahmasp I relocated his capital westward to Qazvin. During the next two centuries, Tabriz changed hands several times between Persia and the Ottoman Empire. During World War I, the city was temporarily occupied by Turkish and then Soviet troops.

Downtown Tabriz is very walkable, and the people are also extremely friendly, something not particularly common in big cities.

ABU/AM