Tabriz pushes forward with heritage restoration
Recent heavy rainfall has not caused significant damage or destruction to the historical monuments of East Azarbaijan Province, according to the Deputy Head of the Province’s Cultural Heritage, Tourism and Handicrafts Organization, Vahid Navadad. He stated that no credible reports of such damage have been received so far.
Despite budget constraints, Navadad confirmed that archaeological excavations, restoration projects, and research programs are actively ongoing in Tabriz and other parts of the province. He highlighted the recent completion of an emergency excavation at a mosque within the historical fabric of Tabriz’s Grand Bazaar, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Plans are also in place to resume excavation work at the historical Rab’-e Rashidi complex in Tabriz, according to ISNA.
Furthermore, studies on the preservation and restoration of Tabriz’s historical zones have been completed and are now awaiting funding allocation to proceed.
Navadad announced that a portion of new projects will commence before Nowruz (the Iranian New Year, beginning March 21), including initiatives related to the Tabriz Regional Museum and emergency restoration of historical buildings.
He emphasized the continuous activity of restoration workshops, noting that a significant number operate with private sector participation throughout the year. Particularly in the Tabriz Grand Bazaar, restoration efforts are carried out directly by property owners under the technical supervision of the Tabriz Bazaar’s World Heritage Site and the provincial Cultural Heritage Organization. This model extends to several nationally-registered historical buildings with private ownership in Tabriz and other provincial cities, where defined operational plans are being implemented through owner collaboration.
Navadad pointed to a positive shift in recent years regarding Tabriz’s historical fabric. “A favorable trend in investment and economic activity within historical fabrics and buildings has emerged and even intensified in recent years,” he stated. This has increased the interest of investors and local residents in reviving and utilizing historical buildings, contributing not only to cultural heritage preservation but also to the economic vitality of these areas.
This growing interest has led to a significant rise in collaborative projects, with many owners of historical houses and buildings directly seeking to undertake restoration and revival projects. Navadad added that the provincial Cultural Heritage Organization supports these projects to the best of its ability, both technically and through financial and credit assistance.