Bazzar of Kashan
The Bazzar is one of the essential elements of an Iranian city and is known as its pulsating heart. Located in the center of the city, the market includes special functional elements such as caravanserais, teimchehs, and alleys, which are integral to the market’s economic system.
In Kashan’s Bazzar, various crafts such as coppersmithing, painting, and carpet weaving have thrived. Today, despite scientific and industrial advances, one can still appreciate the visual beauty of these ancient crafts such as coppersmithing and carpet weaving.
Bazzar of Kashan is in good condition and boasts beautiful teimchehs that are still active with artisans continuing their trades, thus maintaining their historical significance.
The name “Kashan Bazaar” is derived from the Pahlavi word “bahā-char,” meaning a place where the prices of goods are announced. Historically, Bazzar have been the core of commerce in Middle Eastern cities and villages. Kashan city has many traditional markets with charming architecture, counted among Iran’s most splendid Bazzars.
Bazzar of Kashan comprises various sections including multiple teimchehs (small markets), mosques, caravanserais, and baths. Among these landmarks, Teimcheh-ye Amin al-Dowleh stands out as the most famous part of the bazaar, distinguished by its unique architecture and decorations.
History of Kashan Bazaar:
Much has been said about the antiquity of Bazzar of Kashan. According to existing evidence, its history dates back to the Seljuk period. The oldest inscription in the Bazzar, a poetic verse carved on the wooden door of the Charcoal Sifters’ Caravanserai, places its origins in the 9th century AH. However, the mihrab of Mir Emad Mosque indicates that the bazaar dates back to the 7th century AH.
During the Safavid period, this complex enjoyed economic prosperity and aesthetic embellishments. However, a significant portion of the bazaar was destroyed in the earthquake of 1192 AH. Shortly afterward, Karim Khan Zand restored all the damages. During the Qajar era, numerous caravanserais and smaller markets were added to this complex. Today, this complex includes not only the main corridor but also numerous small Bazzars and caravanserais.
Qeisariyeh Bazaar:
The antiquity of this bazaar dates back to the Zand period and includes structures such as mosques, Khan baths, and the New Caravanserai.
Masghariha Bazaar:
The initial foundation of this bazaar dates back to the Zand period and includes caravanserais like Gobara and Mirpanj.
Malek Bazaar:
This bazaar belongs to the Zand and Qajar periods and houses the Tabriziha Mosque.
Arsidozha Bazaar:
This bazaar dates back to the Zand period and is connected to the Qeisariyeh Bazaar.
Rangarzha Bazaar:
This bazaar belongs to the Safavid period and includes the Dyer’s Reservoir in this section.
Caravanserais:
Caravanserais are valuable architectural relics of Iran, each with its unique features across the country’s ancient regions during different eras. Tavern in his travelogue describes the Safavid caravanserais: Caravanserais are almost like monasteries and are usually single-storeyed and rarely double-storied. There is a large door as the entrance of the caravanserai, and on the three other sides, in the middle, a hall is built with a large room for the accommodation of honorable persons. There are small rooms and chambers on either side of the middle hall, and each person chooses one of them. Usually, large caravans do not enter the caravanserai because they do not have the capacity to accommodate such a large population.
The bazzar line is a collection of rooms or shops that are placed on both sides of a street or corridor, such as:
- Copper Bazzar
- Upper Bazzar
- Dye Bazzar
- Bazzar among
- Sellers’ Bazzar
- Goldsmiths’ Bazzar
Caravanserai Customs (Sharif Khan):
Sharif Khan, which is known as the caravanserai, is located in the west of the Fountain (Stone) Square and is connected to the market by a large alley. The building is three stories tall. The first floor includes basements, rooms, and warehouses. The second floor consists of merchant rooms and the third floor has attic. During the Qajar period, when customs became common, Kashan customs were housed in this caravanserai, and for this reason, the Sharif Khan caravanserai is called customs.
Caravanserai Koghan:
This caravanserai is located in the southern part of the Bazaar Masgariha and its wooden door of the ninth century is the only remaining sign of the old market. And now the guests and the people who come to visit the attractions are still there.
Timcheh Amin al-Dowleh:
One of the most beautiful sections of the Bazzar is Timcheh Amin al-Dowleh. This building was constructed by Farrokh Khan Ghaffari, known as Amin al-Dowleh, between the years 1280 to 1285 AH (Qamari), with architecture by Master Ali Maryam. This structure features a ceiling adorned with exquisite formal decorations and attic decorations.
Timcheh Malek al-Tojjar:
In the middle of the grand Bazzar of Kashan and near Timcheh Amin al-Dowleh, there is another pavilion that resembles Timcheh Amin al-Dowleh in terms of its blueprint, architectural principles, ceiling designs, and decorations, albeit slightly smaller and with a more compact layout. This covered pavilion is known as Hajj Malek al-Tojjar and is recognized as part of Kashan’s urban pavilions.
Timcheh Sabagh:
Timcheh Hajj Hossein Sabagh is situated at the top of the Bazzar, near the reservoir which he himself built. This pavilion consists of two large and small courtyards constructed across three floors. The ceiling of the small courtyard and its body are adorned with intricate gypsum work, while the large courtyard is decorated with brickwork and architectural designs. This pavilion remains well-preserved to this day.
Reservoirs of the Bazaar:
In the grand Bazzar of Kashan, there are several reservoirs, some of which are still in use today while others have fallen out of use. These reservoirs include:
- Mir Emad Mosque Reservoir
- Panakhil Reservoir
- Door-e Zanjireh Reservoir
- Balabazaar Reservoir
- Sultan School Reservoir
- Miyanchal Reservoir
- Gozare Nou Reservoir
- Sabagh Reservoir
Mosques of the Bazaar:
The Bazzar of Kashan contains a number of mosques, with the most important and historic ones being:
Soltani Mosque and School:
Located in Gozare Nou and near the goldsmiths’ Bazzar, this structure is recognized as one of the works from the Qajar period. The main hall of this mosque is adorned with seven-color tiles. This beautiful building was commissioned by Fath-Ali Shah Qajar for the teaching of Molla Ahmad Naraghi Kashani.
Mir Emad Mosque:
This mosque is situated in the south of Fayaz Square (Sang) and between the carpet and grand Bazzars. It dates back to the Seljuk period. The features of this mosque include a beautiful portal with muqarnas decorations, a tiled pulpit, and approximately 11 inscriptions and epigraphs.
Tabriziha Mosque:
Located in the Moluk Bazaar, this mosque is one of the works of Haj Mohammad Hassan Tabrizi. The mosque has a large tiled portal and its walls are adorned with exquisite paintings.
Baths of the Kashan’s Bazaar:
The historical baths of Kashan are known as:
Khan Bath:
This bath dates back to the Zandiya period, during the rule of Mirza Abd al-Razzaq over Kashan. It is recognized as one of Kashan’s historical heritage sites.
Gozare Nou Bath:
This bath dates back to the Qajar period and is considered a national monument of Iran. Gozare Nou Bath is also part of Kashan’s historical and cultural complex and is still in use and visited today.
Mazouchi Distillery:
Distilleries are buildings of special importance due to their production of oil from oilseeds, especially for culinary purposes or lighting. These buildings are designed as a confined space and include a large round stone fitted with a wooden piece shaped like an animal such as a horse, camel, or donkey. Oilseeds are placed under this stone, and by rotating the stone around its axis using the animal, the process of oil extraction and seed crushing is carried out.
Stone Mill of the Bazaar:
At the end of the goldsmiths’ Bazzar, there is a stone mill that has been present for about 150 years and is considered one of Kashan’s most beautiful traditional mills. This stone mill serves the people by grinding food items such as cardamom, pepper, turmeric, etc., and delivering them to customers.
Tombs of the Bazaar:
The tombs of the bazaar in Kashan include two locations:
- Imamzadeh at Door-e Zanjireh
- Shah Yalan Tomb
Art of Kashan’s Bazzar:
The Bazzar of Kashan, in addition to housing historical artifacts within itself, is also renowned as a place to experience Iranian arts such as metalwork, carpet weaving, carpet designing, engraving, and painting. For this reason, every year, many tourists travel to Kashan to witness the beauty of its bazaar and enjoy the local arts.
Address:
This Bazzar extends from Baba Afzal Street to the Dolat Gate, with its main entrances located on these two streets. However, one can also enter the Bazzar through side alleys.
Conclusion:
The Bazzar, as one of the main pillars of ancient cities in Iran, has played an important role in the lives of people and families. The Kashan bazaar consists of several branches: mosques, caravanserais, and reservoirs, which have attracted significant attention from tourists. Each year, a large number of people travel to Kashan to enjoy the beauty of Kashan’s Bazzar and see these historical buildings.
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