Ardabil, city in northwestern Iran, in East Azerbaijan Province. The city is on a plateau about 1500 m (about 5000 ft) above sea level. Because of a healthful climate and the warm mineral springs in the vicinity, Ardabil was a favorite home of the rulers of Persia. Points of interest in the city include the tomb of Ismail I, founder of the Safavid dynasty (1501-1722) of Persian shahs, and the home (now a Muslim shrine) of the Persian saint Safi-al-Din. During the Middle Ages the city was important because it was near the Lenkoran-Tabriz caravan route. Population (1996) 340,386.
