Bazaar of Arak
| Bazaar of Arak | |
|---|---|
 Mehr Passage, in Bazaar of Arak | |
 | |
| General information | |
| Type | Bazaar |
| Architectural style | Qajar |
| Location | Arak, Markazi Province |
| Country | Iran |
| Coordinates | 34°5′30″N 49°41′32″E / 34.09167°N 49.69222°E |
| Completed | 1855 CE |
| Technical details | |
| Material | Bricks; gypsum; lime; clay; copper |
| Grounds | 5.7 ha (14 acres) |
| Official name | Bazaar of Arak |
| Type | Built |
| Designated | 1 November 1976 |
| Reference no. | 1285 |
| Conservation organization | Cultural Heritage, Handicrafts and Tourism Organization of Iran |
The Bazaar of Arak is a bazaar, located in Arak, in the province of Markazi, Iran. It was one of the first constructed buildings in the city. The bazaar complex, containing a public bath, a mosque, water reservoirs, passages and caravansary, was built at the time of Fath-Ali Shah Qajar and by Yusef Khan-e Gorji, in the middle of Sultan Abad (Arak's former name). This bazaar is centered at Chahr soogh, which is the junction of two north–south and east–west paths that end to four ancient city gates.[1]
The bazaar was added to the Iran National Heritage List on 1 November 1976, administered by the Cultural Heritage, Handicrafts and Tourism Organization of Iran.
History
[edit]The bazaar and the city of Sultan Abad (today Arak) were built simultaneously. Although it took a few years for the city to be built but no exact date has been recorded for the establishment of bazaar. As noted in historical texts it took about twenty years for the whole city to be built. Bazaar was built at the same time. The first buildings in Arak bazaar were built in 19th century by the order of the time governor of Arak, Sepahdar Aazm whose name has remained on a mosque and a school [2][3]
One reason to establish this bazaar was the strong economy around Sultan Abad. The high quality of agricultural products in Persian Iraq (Arak) and the world-famous Sarouk Persian carpets brought up the need to establish a central market to present these commodities was the momentum behind constructing city and the market.[4]
Architecture
[edit]
The Arak Bazaar Collection is based on a pre-designed plan. Unlike other bazaars here the paths are not free and curved, but routes are geometrically symmetrical. The bazaar, with its crossing alleyways, is an example of chess like texture of the ancient city of Sultan Abad.
The special architectural design used keeps the inside of bazaar cool in summer and warm in winter. The two north–south and east–west axis intersect at a place called chahar soogh (four bazaars). There is a small stone pool right at this junction. The area of the bazaar complex is 5.7 hectares (14 acres).
The buildings in the bazaar are mainly made of bricks. Gypsum and lime have also been used. Wooden joists in clay have made the buildings stronger. Sheets of copper and lead are used in columns' bases.
Unique features
[edit]The Bazaar has two east–west and north–south routs which end to four gates of the ancient city, meaning that the at that time the entrance to the city was at Chahar Soogh in bazar. Passages inside are made so that in case of any accident, fire in particular, the crowd can quickly get out and disperse.[5]
The Bazaar of Arak used to contain a 200-year-old[when?] water reservoir. It was demolished by Arak's municipality to make room for a new school. This reservoir with its special double ceiling was one of the rare buildings in Iran.
Functions
[edit]
The Bazaar of Arak, like all other bazaars in Iran, is a main center for storing goods and for economic exchanges. The baazar in Arak is now finding its way in internal and global trades. Export of commodities produced in Iran such as dried fruit, handicrafts and handmade carpets, are also done in bazaars.
The Bazaar is also a place that different social and ethnic groups meet and influence on each other. Bazaar is a place for buyer and seller get together which sometimes leads to the formation of the system of supply and demand.[6]
In Iran's history Bazaars have been a center for rebellion and strikes. In the Iranian constitutional revolution Arak and its bazaar became one important center for struggle against foreign investments. Presently, bazaars in Iran are playing an important role in the revolt against the ruling religious dictatorship.[7]
Gallery
[edit]-
Passage Hazavei ha -
Akbarian Passage -
Booksellers
References
[edit]- ^ "Iranian Provinces: Markazi". iranchamber.com. Retrieved December 22, 2018.
- ^ "Iran Travel Information Forum • View topic - Arak Bazaar-Arak Bazar". anobanini.com. Retrieved December 22, 2018.
- ^ "Sepahdari School in Arak: A Tourist Attraction of Iran - Tourism news - Tasnim News Agency". tasnimnews.com. Retrieved December 22, 2018.
- ^ "Arak Bazaar in Arak, Iran Tourism and Touring Organization | Travel to Iran, Explore Old Persia". itto.org. Retrieved December 22, 2018.
- ^ "Arak Bazar - Arak". wikimapia.org. Retrieved December 22, 2018.
- ^ رضا علوي راد. "روزنامه رسالت90/6/28: كنكاشي در كاركردهاي اجتماعي بازار". magiran.com. Retrieved December 22, 2018.
- ^ ""بازار اراک" تلفیقی از معماری مدرن و سنتی ایرانی". danakhabar.com. Retrieved December 22, 2018.
