The Grand Bazaar of Tabriz is a historical market situated in the city center of Tabriz, Iran. It is one of the oldest bazaars in the Middle East and the largest covered bazaar in the world. It is also one of Iran’s UNESCO World Heritage Sites, recognized for its cultural, economic, and social significance.http://bazaarhikers.ir/tabriz

The Bazaar of Tabriz has a long and rich history, dating back to the early periods of Iranian urbanism following Islam. It was a major hub of trade and commerce on the Silk Road, connecting East and West. It was visited and praised by many travelers, explorers, and historians, such as Marco Polo, Ibn Battuta, and Jean Chardin.

The Grand Bazaar of Tabriz consists of a series of interconnected, covered brick structures, buildings, and enclosed spaces for different functions. These include various types of bazaars, caravanserais, mosques, schools, libraries, bathhouses, and more. The bazaar is divided into rows, each devoted to a particular category of product or service, such as gold and jewelry, carpets and rugs, shoes, produce, etc. The bazaar also has a complex social and professional organization, which has allowed it to function as a single integrated entity over the centuries.

The Bazaar of Tabriz has played an important role in the political and religious life of the city and the region. It was the center of the Iranian Constitutional Revolution in 1906-1911, when the merchants and craftsmen of the bazaar supported the movement for democracy and constitutionalism. It was also a site of resistance and protest during the Islamic Revolution in 1979. The bazaar has maintained its vitality and relevance in the modern era, despite the competition from new shops and malls.

You can visit more of Tabriz and East Azarbayjan with me at these links: Kahnamu, Kandovan, Hilevar. Don’t miss the videos on Urmia, from East Azerbaijan of Iran.