Gheysarieh Bazaar
Grand Bazaar of Isfahan (Qeysariyeh) is a beautiful place in Imam Square. This bazaar is located in the south of the square. Imam Square or Shah Square was built in the Safavid era. Shah Abbas 1st ordered to build a royal place. He wanted to build public buildings next to royal monuments. In this square, we have two mosques, a palace, and a bazaar. It is in fact one of the biggest bazaars in Iran. Grand Bazaar of Isfahan is also known for its magnificent grand entrance (Qeysariyeh Gate) which is the main entrance of the bazaar. Jean Chardin, a French traveler, who visited Iran in the 17th century, represents this bazaar in this book. As for the architecture of the bazaar, it is magnificent and a combination of Safavid and Iranian style. This traditional and historic place is architecturally important and many believe that Qeysariyeh is the most beautiful bazaar in Iran. In the Qeysariyeh bazaar, there are many historical buildings such as Nimavar school, Sadr school, Khayyatha mosque, No mosque, Zolfaghar mosque, Shishe mosque, and Jarchi mosque. Besides, there are a lot of traditional old shops, handicraft stores, and workshops, where you can buy crafts, copper containers, spices,and etc., and also watch the process of their production. For each of these products, there is a small market with dozens of shops, and the main commercial activities in this bazaar are carpet and kilim selling.
Zanjan Bazaar
Zanjan market is one of the longest traditional markets of the country where you can clearly see the Qajar architecture style. The old market complex is divided into two parts, east and west, as a straight up and down market. The geographical extent of the Zanjan market and the variety of searis, the number of Saras (shopes) and carevansaraies in the inside cities , each dedicated to a specific name and activity, and the existence of numerous mosques illustrate the dynamics of the complex over the past and present conditions. The covered market, Iran's longest-running market, has expanded from the west and east and has been dubbed the Low and High Markets. Architectural techniques and decorative styles era have been beautifully executed of the Qajar era in searies, chambers, four squares, mosques, sara-ha and corevansarai. These techniques include the use of crescent-shaped arches, domes and multicolored arches and cradles in the main and subsidiary orders, decorated with Chinese bricks and various geometric Khafte , straight, baskets and the use of old-style bricks and tiles, and colors and designs. Qajari on the exterior and interior surfaces of buildings, arches, domes as well as the vase column. The more of these architectural styles and decorative has been methods and innovations in the components of the historical mosques of Zanjan, especially the Zanjan jame Mosque.
Vakil Bazaar
Vakil Bazaar (Bāzār-e Vakil) is the main section of the Shiraz Bazaar which was built in the 11th Century and it is also the main bazaar in the city of Shiraz, in the province of Fars in Iran. Located in the historic center of the city, it was renamed in the 18th century after the title Vakil (meaning “regent”) of Shah Muhammad Karim Khân. Vakil's bazaar is itself a grouping of different parts and each part is a special market. For example, we have markets of gold, copper, groceries, cloth, and so on. The architecture of the bazaar is traditional. That is to say, it is an architect specializing in the Isfahani style. It is in fact a composition of Zand and Safavid architecture. The vaulted brick ceiling regulates the temperature of the bazaar by keeping it cool in summer and warm in winter. In the northeast of the bazaar, there are a few caravanserais. This is because when people traveled to Shiraz they could stay in these caravanserais. In the middle of the bazaar, there is also a small pool which is built of marbles. Vakil Bazaar’s attractions are not limited to just shopping, there you can also see numerous teahouses, cafes, a bathhouse, and several restaurants that worth visiting. This bazaar with its gorgeous architecture, attractions, and history is now the main economic center of Shiraz and one of the favorite tourist hubs of this city.
Tajrish Bazaar
Tajrish Indoor Bazaar is one of the most famous old bazaars, located in the north of Tehran, between Qods Square and Tajrish Square in the Shemiranat neighborhood, where even walking is enjoyable, and many domestic and foreign tourists plan to visit this bazaar during their trip to the capital. Tajrish Bazaar is estimated to be 70 years old; however, its old merchants say that this market is over 150 years old. Nevertheless, structures such as the famous 220-year-old Tajrish Bazaar Tekye’h show that it is much older than it is said. This traditional bazaar connects the two old neighborhoods of Sarpol and Tajrish. At the end of this bazaar is located Imamzadeh Saleh (AS). With 400 shops, this market offers you many options to buy the goods you want. All kinds of goods from fresh and delicious foods to copper utensils, nuts, spices, pickles, etc. are sold in the Tajrish Bazaar. This bazaar is not only a place for trade and commerce but also a cultural and social center. In fact, the combination of bazaars, mosques, shrines, Tekye’h, and municipalities in one neighborhood is just like a citadel in Islamic cities. This market has become much more beautiful after renovation; so that it evokes a smaller example of Tehran's Grand Bazaar, and the tiles on the fronts of the shops have given this bazaar the color of traditional Iranian architecture.
Urmia Bazaar
Urmia Bazaar, like other traditional bazaars in Iran, is located in the old texture of the city. This bazaar, which was formed based on the social and economic needs of the people of Urmia in its time, has a special architecture that, with a few differences from the culture of every corner of Iran, exists in almost all traditional Iranian bazaars. This bazaar, which is considered to be the result of Iranian-Azeri artistic architecture, is one of the most well-known touristic places in Urmia. A look at the architecture and function of the Urmia Bazaar complex in this city has shown the special position of this place during the prosperity of the bazaar. The Urmia bazaar has historically interacted with the bazaars of Khoy and Tabriz and Caucasus. The all-brick bazaar consists of numerous series of shops and segments for different industries. The roof of the market is also adorned with successive arches and domes that have been rebuilding in recent years and are very eye-catching. The presence of a mosque and bath next to the historic bazaar of Urmia indicates the active role of the bazaar, as the main center of the city for social, economic, and cultural activities. The oldest part of the bazaar is related to the Safavid period. This historical and cultural monument was expanded during the Qajar period and some parts were added to it.
Naien Bazaar
The most important main passage and commercial center of Naein city in the past was the historical bazaar of Nain, which passed through the middle of the historical neighborhood of Naein. The entrance of the bazaar is one of the old gates of the city, which is known as the historical gate of Chehel Dokhtaroon. Naein historical bazaar was formed and developed during different historical periods and its original building belongs to the Ilkanide period and its greatest prosperity was during the Safavid period. The length of the Naein historical bazaar is about 1000 meters and its width varies between 3 to 5 meters and includes 170 shops. The Nain Bazaar has two caravanserais, the large caravanserai of which is located on the right side of the fort, just after passing through the historic gate of Chehel Dokhtaroon, which now has only its entrance. The historic Chehel Dokhtaroon gate and the entrance to the bazaar have two large doors. Naien Bazaar is like a covered alley with a domed roof and a good arch with circular skylights in the middle of the arches, and the shops on its sides with wooden doors are sometimes seen as two floors (with basement). Naein has long been an important center of trade and commerce and a place for caravans. Caravans that traveled from east to west and from north to south, rested and exchanged goods here.
Reza Bazaar
Due to the number of tourists and pilgrims in the city of Mashhad, trade has flourished in this city in the past. Reza Bazaar (Bazar-e-Reza) is an important commercial center in this city. The 800m-long Reza-covered bazaar is designed to look semi-traditional but is a 20th-century monument. The complex is built on the east side of Razavi Holy Shrine and in the eastern part of Imam Reza Street with many traditional structures. It is the place of exchange and sale for many travelers and pilgrims. Therefore, a large number of hotels in Mashhad are located around this bazaar. This bazaar is built on two separate floors with about 1711 business units. On the first floor of this large bazaar, various kinds of goods and souvenirs are sold, such as turquoise, silver, and gold rings, different kinds of perfume, saffron, barberry, dried fruit, spices, candies, fur, clothes, decorative items, etc. There are workshops for handicrafts, turquoise, jewelry, and embroidery on the second floor.
Rasht Bazaar
Rasht's local and traditional bazaar, located in the center of the city, plays an important role in the economy, trade and culture. Rasht Bazaar dates back to the Safavid era (1501–1736). Unlike other traditional bazaars in Iran, it is not covered and has no ceiling domes or lightwells. This bazaar has maintained its traditional appearance throughout the years and is still a place where agricultural products, different fish, local foods, and handicrafts are sold. Rasht Bazaar is also the largest open-air market in the country with 24 hectares and its attractive atmosphere and diversity. Their products have high quality that attracts thousands of travelers and tourists there every year. The charm of the Rasht market starts before you step on there when the noise around the market reaches your ears and pulls you towards it. As you enter here, the magic of the marketplace does its job and takes you to the world of color, perfume, and singing. Here the shopkeepers and retailers sing to attract you.
Kerman Vakil Bazaar
By the order of Mohammad Ismail Khan Vakil-ol-Molk, the ruler of Kerman, in 1282 AH, equal to 1865 AD, and his son Morteza Qoli Khan, Vakil-ol-Molk, a large complex including a caravanserai, a hammam, a bazaar, and a mosque was built, which is still called Vakil and its bazaar is one of the most beautiful bazaars in Iran. This commercial section, called the Vakil Bazaar, was located between the citadel and the mosque. Today Kerman Vakil Bazaar is one of the beautiful parts of Kerman Grand Bazaar and is located at the end of the Ekhtiari Bazaar and the Vakil Complex. The Vakil Bazaar itself leads to the Mozaffari Bazaar and the Jameh Mosque of Kerman. The main part of the bazaar, which was about 600 meters long, included covered shops, caravanserais, and passages where most of the city's sales and purchases took place. According to the pattern of Iranian markets, Kerman Vakil Bazaar has been long, and each class and industry has been in a certain part of it.
Fish Bazaar
The city of Bandar Abbas, which is located in the south of Iran and has many attractions. One of these popular tourist attractions is the fish market. This bazaar is located on a boulevard that connects the quay to the city, which is known among the residents of this city as Sayadan Boulevard. The fish market and its two-story parking lot with an area of 11,000 square meters were built about ten years ago, and since its opening until today, it has been the place of trade for many fishing businesses. At the beginning of the visit to this market, you can go to an indoor area and see fishmongers cleaning and selling fish under the Kapars (a sort of traditional temporary dwelling in Southeastern Iran). Wherever you go in the fish market, you will see a variety of Persian Gulf fish in the hands of the sellers, whose freshness and deliciousness tempt you to buy more fish. The variety of fish in the Persian Gulf has caused the fish market in Bandar Abbas to be full of colorful fish.
Chabahar Bazaar
Chabahar is one of the most beautiful regions of Iran, which has a special climate because its proximity to the Oman Sea gives a lot of moisture to this region. This port city with beautiful and pristine beaches is one of the free trade-industrial zones and has various modern shopping malls and traditional markets. In the traditional markets, you can buy beautiful handicrafts, spices, and medicinal herbs and try local foods. These local bazaars are full of color and their sellers are predominantly women. If you want henna they paint on your hand and you can see some of them embroidering on the mat and making jewelry. The various modern shopping malls of Chabahar are appropriate for buying clothes, home appliances, cosmetic products, etc. The supply of various and inexpensive products is the main reason for the many trips of tourists to this region. Popular shopping centers of Chabahar Free Zone include Pardis Shopping Center, Sadaf Shopping Center, Silk Shopping Center, Salehyar Shopping Center, Ferdows Shopping Center, Tis Commercial Complex, etc.
Kashan Bazaar
Kashan Bazaar (Bâzâr-e Kâšân) is the main bazaar in the city of Kashan, in Isfahan province in Iran. Located in the historic center of the city, it was probably built during the Seljuk period, with renovations during the Safavid period. The multi-domed roof of the bazaar dates from the 19th century, but the site has been the center of trade in Kashan for almost 800 years. The architecture of Kashan Bazaar is particularly recognized, notably its Timche-ye Amin o-Dowleh section, where a large skylight was built in the 19th century. The bazaar, whose passages cover a few kilometers in length, is still used today. Its complex houses several mosques and madreseh, tombs, caravanserais, arcades, baths, and water reservoirs. The people of Kashan consider this market to be the heart of the city. A market whose copper shops were famous in ancient times and some of which still remain strong. In fact, this bazaar is famous for its copper sellers. Although the number of coppersmith shops today is less than in the past, Kashan's copper shops are still famous.
Sanandaj Bazaar
Sanandaj Bazaar is a traditional bazaar that was built in 1046 AH at the same time as the city of Sanandaj was chosen as the center of the Ardalanis government. This market is one of the tourist attractions of Sanandaj. In addition to shopping lovers, this market will also be attractive for those who are interested in historical monuments. Sanandaj Bazaar, which is a relic from the Safavid era, was built by the order of Shah Safi and its rectangular shape is reminiscent of Naghsh-e Jahan Square (Imam Square) in Isfahan. Due to its historical and architectural value, Sanandaj Bazaar has been registered in the list of national monuments of Iran with the number 1775. This bazaar, which is made of stone, clay, and brick, is located in the center of the city of Sanandaj and had several gates, but now only three gates remain and are still in use. The roof of the bazaar, like most Iranian bazaars, is made with arches and trusses. There are several domes on the roof of the market. The shops are also decorated with beautiful arches on the ceiling. In this market, you can easily find all kinds of beautiful Kurdish cloths, hand-woven carpets, and other handicrafts along with daily necessities.
Bushehr Bazaar
The old bazaar of Bushehr is one of the attractions of Bushehr and is one of the several traditional bazaars in Iran, whose heart is still beating and buying and selling and traveling are going on there. After several years, the beauty of Qajar architecture can still be seen in its old texture. This beautiful traditional market is located in one of the old neighborhoods of the city. The main rasteh is from south to north or vice versa, and there are several other rasteh from east to west. "Moin Al-Tojar" and "Rais Al-Tojar" are the famous sectors of this market. In the past, each of these sectors had a special head, and each section belonged to a specific class and still exists today. There are a total of 250 shops in the old bazaar of Bushehr. In addition to Muslim merchants, several Christian and Jewish merchants also trade in this market. In the past, the people of the bazaar used to hold gatherings and celebrations during religious festivals and ceremonies. The old bazaar of Bushehr has good lighting and ventilation, and its architecture is such that it prevents snow and rain from entering the bazaar in the cold season, and in the summer, it blocks the direct sunlight inside.
Masuleh Bazaar
Masouleh is one of the most important and significant tourist destinations in Gilan province and also in Iran, which attracts many tourists annually. Masouleh Bazaar is one of the attractions of this historical and cultural city that has always been able to attract tourists and be considered part of the beauties of this spectacular city. Masouleh Bazaar is one of the main features of Masouleh city. In this market, local products produced by the local people of the city are sold. One of the important features of this traditional market is that it is built on four separate levels. Wooden fences, columns, and porches have given a special and beautiful effect to the facade of Masouleh Bazaar. There are more than 160 shops in the traditional market of Masouleh, a small number of which are still open today. Some of these shops have been abandoned, some have been destroyed and some have been turned into warehouses. The presence of fountains, caravanserais, and mosques inside or next to this market indicates that this market was once very prosperous.
Saraye Moshir
Saraye Moshir Shiraz is one of the attractions of Shiraz, which is located in the southeast of Vakil Bazaar. Saraye Mushir or Saraye Golshan dates back to the reign of Fat’h Ali Shah Qajar and Abul Hassan Khan Mushir al-Molk, the then Minister of Persia, ordered the construction of this complex. When you enter Saraye Moshir for the first time, you will probably not be able to tell it is separate from the Vakil Bazaar; because its architecture is very similar to this old bazaar. But what sets Saraye Moshir apart from the Vakil Bazaar is the courtyard, which is located in the middle of the vestibule and a pond in the center, and beautiful orange trees. Other salient features of the building include the roof of the chambers, which are made in the form of a multiplicative arch without the use of timber. If you want to prepare handicrafts in Fars province, Saraye Moshir is an ideal destination for you. Some of the industries that operate in this market include embroidery, mosaics, engraving, gold and copper engraving, and weaving.
Hamedan Bazaar
Hamedan has been considered as one of the important centers of trade for centuries due to its location on one of the main branches of the Silk Road, especially since the Safavid era. Until the end of the Qajar period, a large part of Iran's trade with the West took place through Hamedan and Baghdad. The traditional bazaar of Hamedan is one of the historical attractions of this city, which, like other old bazaars in Iranian cities, has a roof, and in some parts of it, there are domes with special architecture, which has belonged to different guilds in terms of existence. The historical complex of Hamedan traditional bazaar is located in the area of Babataher, Ekbatan, and Shohada streets and most of the buildings in this bazaar belong to the Qajar period. The above geographical space, which forms the market area, has always been a part of the physical construction of Hamedan throughout the history of Hamedan from the Parthian period until now. This complex currently has 38 bazaars and rasteh. The point is that Hamedan Bazaar still retains its old face in many sectors. The largest of them is Saraye Golshan and the most prosperous is the newly renovated Saraye Gomrok, but the most beautiful one is Saraye Mirza Kazem.
Qazvin Bazaar
Qazvin Bazaar is one of the most beautiful traditional bazaars in Iran and one of the most spectacular tourist places in Qazvin. A bazaar that is a thousand years old and once had tremendous importance in Iran's international trade. A masterpiece of Safavid and Qajar period architecture and a perfect symbol of traditional Iranian bazaars. The architecture of Qazvin Bazaar is reminiscent of the architecture of Isfahan and Shiraz bazaar and is a beautiful combination of Safavid and Qajar period architecture. This large bazaar, which has developed and changed over the years, today covers an area of about 14 hectares and consists of different sections, each of which belongs to a specific industry. The unique architectural decorations of this bazaar are mostly a combination of brick and tile work. Qazvin Bazaar, like other traditional bazaars in Iran, was not only a destination for buying and selling but also included cultural, religious, and service sectors. Sections such as caravanserai, hammams and water reservoirs, zurkhaneh, mosque, and madreseh have all been an integral part of the Qazvin Bazaar, and there are still a number of these centers in the market. In this traditional bazaar, you can buy the best souvenirs and handicrafts.
Shushtar Bazaar
Shushtar traditional bazaar belongs to the Qajar period and, like most traditional and historical bazaars, is an indoor bazaar. Construction of this bazaar dates back to the times when the Kaiser of Rome was captive in the hands of Shahpour Sassanid. In the past, each of the six gateways of the city terminated to bazaar and city center. In 1950 this bazaar was demolished due to main street construction in the city. Traditional handmade textiles, Ihram weaving, Sajjade (prying mat) weaving, Jajim weaving, traditional jewelry, and pottery are among the domestic active handicrafts in this traditional bazaar. In the main part of this bazaar, which looks like a cross; you can find a variety of delicious foods, local bread of Khuzestan province, and beautiful handicrafts. This indoor market is located in the heart of the Shushtar historical area and is always crowded and noisy. It is full of enthusiasm and spirit of life and apart from shopping, it is a great place to watch the culture and lifestyle of the local people.
Ganj Alikhan Bazaar
Ganjali Khan Bazaar is located in the southern part of Ganjali Khan Square. To the right of the bazaar are the historic baths of Ganjali Khan and eighteen shops, and to the left arch under which vendors work. 16 arches connect this market to the square. At the end of Ganjali Khan Bazaar, there is Zargaran Bazaar, known as Qeysarieh. Ganjali Khan Bazaar, which shows a very interesting architectural style from the Safavid era, is a straight line that leads to the two entrances and exits of the city, the gate of the citadel and the gate of the mosque (Vakil). The caravanserais, inns, and temples of this three-kilometer market are all located in two vertical directions. Due to its architectural and historical value, Ganjali Khan Bazaar is one of the attractions of Kerman and has been registered in the list of national monuments of Iran. Every part of this market was built during the time of one of the rulers of the government, so we will see the passage of 600 years of history by walking in it.
Khan Bazaar
Yazd Khan Bazaar belongs to the Qajar period and is one of the sights of Yazd, which is located in the neighborhood of Lab Khandagh, Ghiyam Street. The different structures and different widths of this bazaar indicate its gradual construction, and with a length of 274 meters, its height varies between 4 and 6 meters. Khan Bazaar is in fact the longest and widest bazaar in Yazd, which was founded in the Qajar period. This market includes two parts: north-south and east-west. The north-south part is 78 meters long and has 53 shops. The east-west part is 180 meters long and has 100 rooms. This monument was registered as one of the national monuments of Iran on May 30, 2003, with the registration number 8544. In total, there are about 153 active shops in the Khan Bazaar and there are various segments in it such as hammam, square, and madreseh.
Kelachai Thursday Bazaar
The city of Kelachai is one of the coastal cities of Gilan, which is located on the road from Rudsar to Ramsar. The main products of this city are rice, tea, citrus, kiwi, and fish. Most of the people of Kelachai are engaged in agriculture and fishing. Kelachai Thursday Bazaar is an urban and rural bazaar, with women in beautiful local costumes. Products such as rice, citrus, tea, fish, and other food items are brought to the market to be offered to customers. Beautiful plants and ornamental flowers are grown in the area are also sold at the Kelachai local market. Kelachai has long been a center of agricultural trade and its Thursday market is the most important and famous local market in East Gilan. This bazaar has been different in the past. Commodity travelers often brought their products to the market by horse from long distances. The bazaar was formed around the main shops of the city.
Grand Bazaar of Tabriz
Located in the center of Tabriz, the complex was one of the most important centers of international trade between the 12th and 18th centuries and is still the economic heart of northwestern Iran. Many of the world's explorers and writers, including Marco Polo, Yaqut al-Hamawi, and Jean Chardin, have touted the glory of Tabriz Bazaar as a remarkable part of their adventures. In 2010, UNESCO inscribed the entire Historic Bazaar of Tabriz on its World Heritage List. Tabriz Bazaar experienced its most glorious days in the 16th century when Tabriz became the capital of the Safavid kingdom, but the city lost its status as capital in the 17th century. The bazaar, however, was still flourishing. In the 19th century, the volume of trade in the Tabriz Bazaar accounted for more than 25% of Iran's trade transactions, even exceeding those of the capital, Tehran.The one-square-kilometer shopping center includes 5,500 stores selling products from over 40 types of professions, 60 timchehs (covered halls), 30 mosques, 20 aisles, five baths, 12 schools, and five museums. The largest and most luxurious part of Tabriz Bazaar is Amir Bazaar, also known as Timcheh Amir, where the shops exclusively sell gold and jewelry. Another important section is the Mozaffarieh Bazaar, also known as Timcheh Mozaffarieh, for the sale of exquisite Persian rugs.The most beautiful architectural design of the complex belongs to this section.Other timcheh are dedicated to the sale of a variety of handicrafts, food products and household items.
Tehran Grand Bazaar
Tehran Grand Bazaar, also known as Tehran Bazaar or even 15 Khordad Bazaar, is the beating heart of the economy and the center of people's presence in Tehran. Tehran Bazaar is not only very important economically but also historically and architecturally. Tehran Grand Bazaar is an old bazaar located in the 12th district of Tehran. In terms of antiquity and age, the Grand Bazaar was created between 907 and 1135 during the Safavid rule. According to historical texts, the first building built in Tehran Bazaar was during the reign of Shah Tahmasb I Safavid. According to Tani al-Dawlah, the large and small squares of this bazaar were built during the reign of Fat’h Ali Shah Qajar. It was during the reign of Fath Ali Shah Qajar that parts of the bazaar were built and thus the whole bazaar complex was expanded so that it was extended to the citadel and the Grand Mosque and the distance between these two places became the most prosperous and it became the most famous segment of the big bazaar. Winding corridors, multiplicative arches, and traditional vents are among the beauties of traditional and modern architecture that are located next to each other in the Grand Bazaar of Tehran. Anyway, the area of Tehran Grand Bazaar is equal to 105 hectares and has different parts such as Timcheh, rasteh, Shop, Mosque, Tekyeh, and various underpasses. One of the features of Tehran Grand Bazaar is the existence of different businesses inside it. You can see different sections and different professions in this traditional bazaar.
Anzali Saturday Market
Anzali Saturday Market is more than 70 years old. This bazaar is set up in the center of Anzali city on Mirzakoochak Khan Street and from the villages around Anzali and cities near Gilan, people brought their products ranging from fresh fruits and vegetables, fish, birds, olive, cereal, pickles, rice, cheese and local sweets to mats and baskets and beautiful woolen handicrafts and many other local products to this bazaar. Fishing equipment is one of the rural products sold in this bazaar.
Minab Thursday Bazaar
A historical bazaar in the central part of Minab city in Hormozgan province and one of the attractions of Hormozgan province in southern Iran. Minab Thursday Bazaar, which is several hundred years old, is still one of the most important local markets that have survived from the past. This market is an exhibition of all kinds of handicrafts, art, and culture of East Hormozgan.Many historians and tourists have mentioned the prosperity and importance of the Minab Thursday Bazaar.
