Shorja, popular market in Baghdad
Shorja is Baghdad's oldest and largest marketplace, sprawling across narrow alleyways that are only a few meters wide and lined with hundreds of shops and stalls. Vendors sell spices, grains, sugar, tea, sweets, household goods, and religious items, while the aroma of Biryani and various spice blends fills the air throughout the day.
Shorja was founded around 750 CE during the late Abbasid period and has shaped Baghdad's history for over a thousand years. Its name derives from a salty well that once stood at the site, reflecting the Persian and Arab influences that molded the city.
Shorja was once a hub of Jewish merchants and workshops before the community left Baghdad, and Arab traders gradually took over the marketplace. Today, the market reflects this layered past through its layout, names, and the daily rhythm of commerce that continues to connect the neighborhood.
Shorja has multiple entrances including one on Rashid Street, and the narrow alleyways are best explored on foot at a slow pace to take in the surroundings. It is advisable to visit in early morning hours when crowds are lighter, as the market remains active from dawn until late evening.
The name Shorja means salty water and refers to a well that once stood at the site, while nearby neighborhoods like Ab-Khana meaning water tank bear Persian names reflecting deeper cultural layers. These naming patterns reveal how different peoples shaped the market's trade and development across centuries.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
