Tabriz Leather Factory: The Factory That Became a University

Tabriz is considered one of the most important industrial cities in Iran. The city has been a pioneer in employing modern production methods for certain products, particularly leather goods. Its historic factories have become significant destinations for industrial tourism. Today, although these old factories—such as the Tabriz Leather Factory—no longer produce goods, they still provide visitors with insight into the structure and methods of production used in the past.

Over time, Tabriz leather maintained its reputation and gained many admirers in neighboring countries. At one point, Tabriz became one of the largest markets for leather products in the world. The establishment of the first leather factory in Iran in Tabriz in 1929 (1308 AH) highlights the importance of this product to the city’s artisans. Later, other factories were also founded to produce leather and leather goods in Tabriz, including the Khosravi Leather Factory, which is today known as the Tabriz Leather Factory. In the following decades, Tabriz maintained its leadership in Iran’s leather industry and currently produces 40% of the country’s leather shoes.

Today, traditional methods of leather production are used less frequently. However, in Tabriz, some workshops still operate using these traditional techniques, producing items that are unmatched in terms of flexibility, durability, and comfort. One reason for the high quality of Tabriz leather is the use of hides from livestock in the Azerbaijan region, which are raised in a clean environment with favorable climatic conditions.

The factory continued its operations until 1968 (1347 AH), but in the following years, due to various changes, the shareholders suffered losses, and the factory was eventually shut down. Ultimately, the government assumed management of the factory. After the Islamic Revolution (1979), the factory was administered as part of Iran’s national industries. Later, due to the expansion of Tabriz’s urban fabric, the factory became surrounded by residential houses and was evacuated in 1987 (1366 AH) so that its operations could continue in one of Tabriz’s industrial towns.

Ultimately, the Tabriz Leather Factory building was donated to the Islamic Art University of Tabriz, and restoration work to convert the factory into a university complex began in 1997 (1376 AH). During this process, the worn-out factory buildings were transformed into an amphitheater, administrative offices, a sports complex, a cafeteria, and a library. Part of the factory’s equipment, including turbines and electric generators, was also restored to be displayed as industrial heritage.