Bazaar of Kashan

Bazaars are important axes of cities in Iran, which have witnessed important political, cultural, economic, and religious events during the history. Traditional bazaars consist of shops, caravansaries, mosques, bathhouses, and water reservoirs. This highlights the role of bazaars as not only centers for business transactions, but also social hubs where you can feel a vibrant vitality from sunrise to the sunset. Bazaars were the main connection channels of the city connecting money, goods and people, but they were also locales for communicating, exchanging the news and making announcements orally. Therefore, bazaars were typically built at the most important areas of the cities. 

The permanent roofed bazaars create an enjoyable atmosphere for the costumers, protecting them from the heat of the summer and cold of the winter. This admirable architecture is characterized by exquisite vaulted ceilings, attractive plaster and tile works in the main and subsidiary lines (rasteh). Saray (a single or two-story caravanserai with a central courtyard), timcheh (a roofed small saray), charsoo (crossroad) and hojreh (shops) are the other prominent elements of the bazaar. 

The early signs of trading in Iran were found in Kashan, in Tape Sialk. The Grand bazaar of Kashan, has been a trade center for almost 800 years. It has long been praised for its unparalleled splendid architecture, containing around 40 historical monuments. The well-organized primary structure of the bazaar dates back to the 13th century, yet the Safavid era marked its prosperous period. Destroyed during the earthquake of 1778, the current structure has been rebuilt in Qajar era, remarkably during the rule of Fath Ali Shah. It stretches from the middle of Baba-afzal Street to Darvazeh Dowlat square, consisting of a main line (rasteh) with coppersmith, goldsmith, carpet and shoemaking shops which are still being used. Climatically compatible materials, such as mud brick and clay mortar, have been used in the building of this roofed structure. Some of the highlights of the bazaar are as follows: