Ardabil Travel Recommendations for 2024 (Updated in May)

Iran's world cultural heritage, with Chinese elements.

Sheikh Safi al-Din's Mausoleum, a world cultural heritage site, is located in Ardabil, Iran. Ardabil is the capital and largest city of Ardabil Province, and also the birthplace of Sheikh Safi al-Din Ardabili, the founder of the Safavid dynasty. Sheikh Safi al-Din Khānegāh and Shrine Ensemble in Ardabil was built in the early 16th century, but underwent reconstruction in the late 18th century. It is mainly an Islamic-style building, containing multiple parts according to different cultures in Iran, such as a mosque, a main library, a hospital, a school, and tombs, etc. The most special one is the porcelain hall, which houses porcelain purchased by Safavid dynasty monarchs from China and presented to their ancestral holy site, including products from the Ming and Qing dynasties, some of which are precious early Ming blue and white porcelain.