Tabriz, capital of Turkic states

In the 15th century Tabriz became the capital of the Qara Qoyunlu and then the Aq Qoyunlu states. The Blue Mosque, built in 1465 under Jahan Shah, is called the "turquoise of the Islamic world" for its tiles. Uzun Hasan's palace also stood in Tabriz.

In 1501 Shah Ismail was enthroned in Tabriz and proclaimed the Safavid state, and the city became its first capital. Under the Qajars Tabriz was the seat of the crown princes. The Tabriz Bazaar, one of the largest covered bazaars in the world, was added to the UNESCO World Heritage List in 2010.