Tehran Grand Bazaar: Historical Market in Capital
TEHRAN (Tasnim) - The Grand Bazaar, also known as Tehran's Grand Bazaar, is a historical market situated in the capital of Iran, Tehran. This Bazaar is located In Arg Square and its main entrance is called Sabze Meydan.
The area around Tehran has been settled since at least 6,000 BC, and while bazaar-like construction in Iran as a whole has been dated as far back as 4,000 BC, Tehran's bazaar is not this old. It is hard to say exactly when the "bazaar" first appeared, but in the centuries following the introduction of Islam, travelers reported the growth of commerce in the area now occupied by the current bazaar.
The grand bazaar is a continuation of this legacy. Research indicates that a portion of today's bazaar predated the growth of the village of Tehran under the Safavids' dynasty; although it was during and after this period that the bazaar began to grow gradually.
Throughout its history, in addition to shops the grand bazaar has contained banks and financiers, mosques and guest houses. Traditionally, the Tehran bazaar was split into corridors, each specializing in different types of goods, including copper, carpets, paper, spices, and precious metals, as well as small traders selling all types of goods.
Today, modern goods are available as well, in addition to the many traditional corridor traders that still survive.
One of the greatest marketplaces in all of Iran, Tehran Grand Bazaar is a giant labyrinth of narrow alleys teeming with shoppers, merchants and overladen carts.
In the bazaar, one comes across a number of impressive mosques, most notably Imam Khomeini Mosque, as well as dozens of covered walkways and specialized sections for everything from copper to carpets and spices. It is the best place to bargain for a wide array of souvenirs, while the merchants often provide travelers their closest peek into life on the southern side of the city.
The Grand Bazaar is located in southern Tehran; its many corridors are over 10 km in length. There are several entrances, some of which are locked and guarded at night".
Sources: Oruj Travel – Iran Daily
