Ardabil audio speaker iconpronunciation (help·info) (Persian and Azeri: اردبیل, also Romanized as Ardabīl and Ardebīl) is a historical city in north-western Iran. The name Ardabil comes from the Zoroastrian name of "Artawila", meaning a holy place. Ardabil is the capital of Ardabil Province. At the 2011 census, its population was 564,365, in 156,324 families, Its inhabitants are ethnic Azeris. Ardabil is also known for the sanctuary and tomb of Shaikh Safî ad-Dîn, eponym of the Safavid Dynasty.