Takab or Tekab is one of the cities in the West Azerbaijan Province. Takht-e Soleyman and Zendan Soleyman are the highlight of the region’s attraction. A seal belonging to the highest ranking Zoroastrian priests were found from the excavations of the place proving its religious importance. People here speak Kurdish with Surani accent and Azerbaijani Turkish. They are believers of Shiite sect of Islam.
Tekab means the narrow string of water, or a land that such narrow string passes from; it also means a valley that water passes through. The name of the city was changed to Tekab around 90 years ago. Before that, the city was called Tikan Tappeh that means the hill of thorns. The area is known for housing a subsect of Turkman tribe known as Qarakhlo that entered Iran when Mongols attacked Iran and settled around Atrak River. They later left Atrak Area and came to Azerbaijan to live in the place we know today as Tekab.
Shah Ismail moved a group of the Qarakhlo to North Khorasan, but his descendant that feared their increasing tribal power moved them from North Khorasan to Urmia. This area has two specific sections with different weather. Tekab is the center of one of these two sections that was named Zamoa in the time that Assyrian ruled it. With the formation of the Medes, the city became an important economic center. The only thing remained from this time is the handmade cave of Karaftu. The cave functioned as a refuge in time of war and battle.
From the excavations of the Tekab, objects from different time are found. Although the city was important in the Achaemenid time, it is the Parthian and Sassanid time that are considered as the prime time of the city. The historic site of Takht-e Soleyman includes a natural pond, Azargoshnasb Fire Temple, Char-Taqi construct, Royal Palace and Royal Hall. In addition to Takht-e Soleyman, there are other attractions such as Soleyman Prison, Belqeys Mountain, Jameh Mosque, Qajur Dam, Uqul Beig Mosque, Tekab Bazaar, Hot Water Spring, and Sardar Afshar Castle.
