Tabriz Train Station Inscribed on National Heritage List

Tabriz's century-old train station has been inscribed on the National Heritage List, thanks to its place in Iran's railroad history and unique architecture.

Speaking to ISNA, Farhad Nazari, in charge of inscription of historical sites at Iran's Cultural Heritage, Handicrafts and Tourism Organization, said the station's dossier to receive national recognition was reviewed and approved on Tuesday.

"Tabriz Train Station is a prime example of Iran's modern architecture," he said.

Initially, the rights to the station and connecting railroads were given to the Soviet Union, but the Soviets did not deliver. As such, the rights were given to the Iran-based but Moscow-owned Soviet Discount Loan Bank in January 1913.

A few months later, the bank ceded its rights to an Iranian company called Rah Shouseh, which funded the construction of the station as well as the 149-kilometer railroad connecting Tabriz to Jolfa.

Finally in 1916, during the height of World War I, the station was ready for operation and the first train departed Tabriz for Jolfa. The 748-kilometer Tabriz-Tehran route was inaugurated in 1958.

The station's new Art Deco building was designed in the 1950s by eminent French architect, Fernand Pouillon, and respected Iranian architect, Heydar Qoli Khan Ghiai-Shamlou, who is commonly referred to as the father of modern architecture in Iran.