Long a gateway to the historic cities and dry mountains of eastern Azerbaijan from the low-lying, fecund Caspian, Ardabil makes for an interesting stopover. The Unesco-listed Sheikh Safi-od-Din Mausoleum is by far its greatest attraction, but there’s a scattering of other minor sights. On crisp, clear days, Mt Sabalan’s snow-topped peak rises dramatically above Ardabil’s Shurabil Lake.
Ardabil sits on a high, windswept plateau. The weather is pleasantly cool in summer but can turn somewhat nasty by year’s end. While snow is possible from November, white winters are becoming shorter. Ardabil is a touristic city visited for several reasons such as its climate, historical significance, its geopolitical situation and its nature. Hence you will find variant spots according to the motivation.
A World Heritage Site, comprising the following components: the mausoleums of Sheikh Safi and Shah Ismail I, Chini khaneh (meaning the house of chinaware), a mosque, Jannat Sara (meaning the house of paradise), Khanaqah (the house of Dervishes), Cheragh Khaneh (the house of lamps), Shahid khaneh (the house of martyrs) and Chelleh Khaneh (the place where devotees shut themselves up during the forty days of Lent). The mausoleum of Sheikh Safi, the dome of which is called “Allah-Allah” has an octagonal interior.
Ardabil Bazaar: this beautiful Persian bazaar was built during Safavid period and in addition to main bazaar hall with open vaults has a hammam and a small yet mystifying mosque.
