The historical complex of Zanjan Bazaar is one of the most significant and credible elements of the city of Zanjan, which has played a fundamental role economically, culturally, socially, religiously, and so forth. The first explorer who visited the Zanjan Bazaar is "Prince Aleksei Sovatikov" from Russia, who came to Zanjan in the year 1216 AH and explored a part of the bazaar. "Edward Browne" writes in his book "A Year Amongst the Persians": We unloaded our baggage at a caravanserai near the bazaar and went out to see the bazaar, which extends almost in a straight line from west to east and divides the city in half.
The Zanjan Bazaar covers an area of 18 hectares. Eight hectares are allocated for the economic section; seven hectares for residential areas; one hectare for public utilities; and two hectares are designated for communication networks and pathways. The construction of the Zanjan Bazaar took place in the year 1205 AH during the reign of Aqa Mohammad Khan Qajar, and its completion was achieved in the year 1313 AH during the time of Fath-Ali Shah Qajar. The Zanjan Bazaar is located in the center of the city and is the longest row of bazaars in the world in terms of Iranian-Islamic architecture. The Grand Bazaar of Zanjan features over 1000 shops across 15 main rows, 28 caravanserais, and side sections.
The use of pointed arches in most of the rows has resulted in a reduction of height, while in some rows, the use of horseshoe arches has created a sense of spaciousness and increased height. The arching design of the bazaar protects against cold and heat during different seasons and provides a space that facilitates buying and selling, ensuring comfort for both customers and shopkeepers. Additionally, short ceilings have been designed and constructed for the cooler sections, while tall ceilings have been implemented for the warmer areas of the bazaar.
The mosques and bathhouses of the Zanjan Bazaar are considered among the most essential establishments within the market. The Haj Ebrahim Bath, Farrash Bashi Bath, Haj Dadash Bath, Hosseyniyeh Bath, Qosha Bath (Bolouri), Mirli Bath, Sina Bath, and Qeysariyeh Bath (Seyyed) were among the bathhouses located within the bazaar that were utilized by merchants in ancient times. Today, due to the presence of bathrooms in homes, only the Haj Ebrahim Bath remains as a nostalgic reminder of the past.
In addition to the public baths in the Grand Bazaar of Zanjan, there are 17 mosques that have existed for holding prayers, religious ceremonies, and special occasions from the past to the present in and around the Zanjan market, and they continue to play an active role. The Najafi Mirzaei Mosque, Qaemi Mosque (Mirza Mahdi), Nasrollah Khan Mosque, Sheykh Ali Mosque (Lotfollah), Seyyed Fathollah Mosque, Hosseyniyeh Azam, Vali Asr Mosque (Molla), Damiriyeh Mosque (Damirlu), Yeri Bala Mosque, Yeri Paeen Mosque, Chehel Sotoun Mosque and School, and Seyyed Mosque (Dara) or Jameh Mosque are among the most important mosques that have historically served as centers for the study of religious sciences for students and clergy.
The Zanjan Bazaar has 58 entrances and exits, making access to the market easy. The market's corridors are named according to the types of businesses they host. Carpet shops, herbalists, shoe stores and cobblers, stationery shops, wool and raw materials, clothing and shirts, coppersmiths, Charogh, Malileh, Knife makers and Sellers, Textile merchants, Goldsmiths, and traditional Zanjani foods such as Jaghur Baghur, local Ash, and … are among the various trades that have existed in the Grand Bazaar of Zanjan from ancient times to the present and the market corridors are similarly named after these professions, such as the Charogh Makers' Row (Kaffash Lar), the Cotton Workers' Row (Panmiq Chi Lar), the Box Sellers' Row (Sandiq Chi Lar), the Dyers' Row (Boyaq Chi Lar), the Hat Makers and Sellers' Row (Bork Chi Lar), and the Jaghur Bagur Food Row (Jighir Bighir Chi Lar), all of which remind us of trades that have unfortunately faded into history.
Zanjan Bazaar is divided into two sections: the Upper Bazaar (Yukhari Bazaar) and the Lower Bazaar (Ashaghi Bazaar), stretching approximately 2 kilometers in length. It serves as an excellent destination for both domestic and international tourists.
This article was prepared at the suggestion of the Board of Directors of Zanjan Grand Market.
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This article was contributed by Mr. Akbar Karimi the international reporter for Arirang Culture Connect and the Founder and Managing Director of the Samte Ganjineye Ghoghnoos Cultural Artistic Institute in Iran. His leadership in preserving and promoting Iranian intangible cultural heritage along with his extensive experience in cultural artistic research and his active participation in international forums such as UNESCO and ICCN enriches his contributions to the global cultural dialogue.
Translated by: Miss. Fereshte Abdi
Photo by: Mr. Mojtaba Jafarloo