Arak Bazaar, Heritage shopping district in Arak, Iran
Arak Bazaar is a large covered marketplace in the city center spanning roughly 880 meters, built with brick and mortar in Qajar architectural style. Multiple roofed passageways and geometric pathways connect various sections where different types of merchandise are sold.
Built in 1855 during the reign of Fath-Ali Shah Qajar, the bazaar marked the turning point when Arak shifted from a military outpost to a thriving commercial center. This project helped establish the city's first organized trading infrastructure and drew merchants from surrounding regions.
The bazaar serves as a gathering place where artisans and merchants display their crafts and goods to customers from the region. Sections selling Persian carpets, handmade items, and local products show how trade and craft traditions have shaped daily commerce here.
The bazaar maintains comfortable temperatures year-round thanks to its covered structures and natural ventilation, protecting visitors from extreme heat. Plan to spend several hours exploring the many passages and learning the layout of different trading sections.
The bazaar follows a chess-like layout with four main intersecting pathways that connect to the historic city gates. This thoughtfully designed arrangement was unusual for its time and still makes navigating the various sections straightforward and easy to understand.
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