Bazaar of Tabriz

Tabriz Historic Bazaar Complex
UNESCO World Heritage Site
Mozaffariyeh, Grand Bazzar of Tabriz, IRAN.jpg
Mozaffariyeh, Grand Bazzar of Tabriz, Iran
LocationTabriz, Iran
CriteriaCultural: ii, iii, iv
Reference1346
Inscription2010 (34th Session)
Area28.9733 ha
Buffer zone75.4082 ha
Coordinates38°04′51″N 46°17′32″E / 38.08083°N 46.29222°E / 38.08083; 46.29222Coordinates: 38°04′51″N 46°17′32″E / 38.08083°N 46.29222°E / 38.08083; 46.29222
Bazaar of Tabriz is located in Iran
Bazaar of Tabriz
Location of Bazaar of Tabriz in Iran

The Bazaar of Tabriz (Persian: بازار تبریز, also Romanized as Bāzār-e Tabriz) is a historical market situated in the city center of Tabriz, Iran. It is one of the oldest bazaars in the Middle East and the largest covered bazaar in the world. It is one of Iran's UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

History

Tabriz has been a place of cultural exchange since antiquity. Its historic bazaar complex is one of the most important commercial centres on the Silk Road. A bazaar has existed on the same site since the early periods of Iranian urbanism following Islam. The bazaar was mentioned by the Venetian traveler Marco Polo, who claimed to have passed through it while journeying on the Silk Road.

Located in the center of the city of Tabriz, Iran, the structure is divided into rows, many devoted to particular categories of product. These include Amir Bazaar (for gold and jewelry), Mozzafarieh (hand woven rugs, sorted by knot size and type), Bashmakhchi Bazaar (shoes), Kiz Basdi Bazaar, and Rahli Bazaar (produce). Tabriz and its bazaar were at their most prosperous in the 16th century, when the town became the capital city of the Safavid kingdom. The city lost this status in the 17th century, but its bazaar has remained important as a commercial and economic hub in the region and on the silk road. Although numerous modern shops and malls have been established in recent years, Tabriz Bazaar has kept its vital role as economic hub of the city and northwestern Iran.

Tabriz Bazaar has also been a place of political significance, for instance in the Iranian Constitutional Revolution and in the contemporary Islamic Revolution.[how?]

The bazaar was inscribed as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in July 2010.

Ceremonies

The bazaar is used for some important religious ceremonies. The most famous one is Day of Ashura during which merchants cease trading for about 10 days and religious ceremonies are held inside the bazaar. Like other bazaars in Middle East, there are several mosques constructed behind the bazaar, the most notable of them being Jome' Mosque.

Restoration

In 2000, the Historical Hermitages Organization of Iran begin a restoration project of the Bazaar, with the full participation of the shop owners. The rehabilitation project won the Aga Khan Award for Architecture in 2013.

Photo gallery

See also


This page was last updated at 2022-09-08 19:07 UTC. Update now. View original page.

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