Vakil Bazaar; a Treasure Chest of Wonder in Shiraz

Vakil Bazaar; a Treasure Chest of Wonder in Shiraz

The Vakil Complex is the most prominent attraction that was built on the command of Karim Khan Zand and consisted of the Vakil Mosque, the Vakil Bath, the Vakil Bazaar and the Arg of Karim Khan. One of the most famous cities of Iran, which had the reputation of the rich history, culture, art, and literature, is the city of Shiraz. During the Zand dynasty era, Shiraz was the capital of the country. There are lots of cultural and historical sites relating to this period in the city.

Amongst the well-known Vakil complex, the Vakil Bazaar is located at the heart of the city of Shiraz, between the Karim Khan and Lotfali Khan Zand Street which has well preserved its culture and authenticity. This gentility and nobility are glaring from the visage and the charming accents of the experienced shopkeepers.

A long narrow corridor with the tall walls, the domed ceiling, and the flagged floor, is hemmed in by the shops that are a few steps above the ground to be protected from the humidity. The Vakil bazaar has got the better of the modern, up-to-date stores of the city in both the distribution of any goods and attracting tourists and visitors in touring and buying them. A diverse group of people of different race and nationality, from low-incomes to international traders, from the western tourists to the eastern businessmen, from the statuesque blond men and women to the nomads with sunburn faded faces, individually or in the group are visiting and buying the goods. Occasionally, the appealing voice of the marketers with the delightful accent among the commotion in the bazaar invites the visitors to buy things.

At the entrance to the bazaar from the Karim Khan St. some stores welcome the tourists with the sweets and candies that tempt their palate. At the first intersection, the variety of beautiful merchandise would make it difficult for you to select your path. On the one hand the floor coverings including the beautiful hand-woven carpet, rug, drugget, and beautiful felt, on the other hand, the blanket and quilt either floral or straightforward and on the opposite side the vibrant costume and fabrics, catch all the visitor’s attention. The shops with enticing and tempting goods cause overcrowding and slow down the traffic.

After passing a varied route and a short bottleneck, in the middle of the bazaar, a light breeze freshen the visitors up. After a short distance, six pathways on six sides activate the six senses of the people. The smell of saffron, spices, the traditional herbal medicines, and the hanging leathers would be an enjoyable sensory experience.

The beats of the coppersmith on the copper and the cast irons would enchant any visitor as well. On the other hand, you would see the art of the inlay, which has brought the art of Shiraz to its peak. If you are visiting this charismatic bazaar during the cold winter days, savor the delicious “Laboo” (beetroot) and if you are visiting during the hot summer days, do not forget to taste the yummy “Faloode” and also the local ice cream of Shiraz that would make your trip more pleasing.

You may become more interested in visiting this place if you become informed that there isn’t any cooling or heating system in the bazaar. However, the vaulted ceiling regulates the temperature of the bazaar. In summer, the bazaar is kept cool, and during the winter, it is warm.

The attractions of the Vakil Bazaar are not limited to shopping. In one corner, after a porch like a corridor, you reach the Saray-e-Moshir in which the artists’ arts are exhibited. There is a small pool full of clear water at the heart of this cozy place around which there are lots of rhinestone shops. The shops are laden with the exquisite rhinestones that have run circles around the gold and jewelry where you can buy lots of souvenirs to take back with yourself.

If you love strolling along with the markets or peeping the merchandise in stores, the Vakil Bazaar would be an appropriate choice. So delve into this bazaar to find more attractive features and sense a warm glow of pleasure.

By F. Cheraghi

ISFAHAN, Half of the World!

Isfahan

Being among the first and most visited tourist attraction of Iran, Isfahan has so much to offer that may need even a whole week to visit all those beauties. Located at the central heart of Iran, it used to be called Espadana; it is also known as the ”Half of the World”, being the grandeur that it is, the term ” half of the world” only seems suitable. Isfahan is truly a masterpiece of Iranian culture. The outstanding Islamic architecture, with its unique Persian texture, is what tourists are going to witness on a day in Isfahan.

Naghshe-Jahan square is a complex of fantastic monuments belonging to the Safavid period, such as Masjed Shah (Shah or Emam mosque), Ali-Ghapoo, Masjed Sheikh-lotfollah (Sheikh Lotf-o-llah mosque or Royal Mosque), and Gheysarieh Bazaar. Masjed Shah or Masjed Emam is the blue-tiled, mosaic designed mosque, located at Naghshe Jahan Square. It took around 20 years to be completed, but this amazing monument has not changed much since then. Every section of the mosque itself can be called a masterpiece, but overall the whole monument is what captures the eyes of the visitor. Beautiful deep blue and yellow tiled were used to frame the porches of the courtyard’s walls. The turquoise minarets of the mosque make you keep your head up and gaze.

Ali-Ghapoo is a massive structure built in 7 stories, as the entrance to the house of government. The royal family used its terraces to watch the polo games which took place in the square. Masjede Sheikh lotfollah is a mosque dedicated to Shah Abbas’s father in law. What is somehow amazing about this building is how the cream colored tiles at the dome change color to pink. Arabesques and floral designs are the usual’s of such monuments, beautifully designed to add to the glory of the building. What might sound surprising is that unlike other mosques, this one does not have a minaret or a courtyard, this can be related to the private nature of the mosque which was intended to be used only by the women of the Shah’s harem.

Gheysarieh Bazaar serves as a portal entrance to the big bazaar of Esfahan, where one can spend hours wandering around, looking for items from A to Z.  Masjede Jame (Jame mosque) may be a mosque, but it can also be seen as a veritable museum of Islamic architecture.  This UNESCO World Heritage site is the biggest mosque in Iran. The courtyard, the minarets, walls, the dome, and every other piece of this complex is a masterpiece in its right. Then there is the pleasure palace of Shah-Abbas, called the Chehel Sotun Palace, a lovely garden used as a relaxing place by the Shah.

It would not be a Complete day not to visit the Khaju-Bridge which serves as a dam too, along with this there is the Si-o-Se Pol (33-arches) bridge which is also a dam, illuminated at nights, a walk on this bridge is a pleasant way to pass the time in Esfahan.

By: M. Sadin