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

The Hafezieh; Haunt of Lovers and Beloveds

Hafezieh

Shiraz, the city of culture, love, literature, and poem, is home to the tomb of great Persian poets such as Hafez, Saadi, and Khajouye Kermani. Each of these tombs (Hafezieh and Saadieh) is suited in the beautiful gardens which are filled with the romantic and spiritual atmosphere. Iranians have much respect for the Persian poets especially Hafez who is famous for the lyrical poems and his sonnets about love and the celebration of wine. Hence, in memory of Hafez, a commemorative structure have been constructed known as Hafezieh_ a pleasant spot for relaxing and enjoying your time in peace and seclusion.

Fortune Telling by Birds!

When you head towards the Hafezieh, you step into a flagged floor street which is embellished with the towering trees and is scented with the sour orange trees. As you go on, you encounter children or old men who welcome you with a little bird and pages of Falls which is a special kind of fortune telling that you can only find in Iran. The bird picks a page up randomly from the volume of Hafez in which it is said what will happen in the future.

Experience Sense of Spirituality

Hafez is a prominent figure in the world literature that some of the great poets of the world such as Goethe were inspired by him and his poems. He is one of the greatest Persian poets whose Ghazals are popular among the Iranians. His Ghazals mostly ventilate love, wine, hypocrisy, and spirituality.

As you enter the mausoleum of Hafez, a sense of spirituality and love is palpable. The ravishing garden of the Hafezieh in the front, beguile any visitor. After passing through a passage which is surrounded by flowers on one side and the trees on the other side, you reach a hall with 20 pillars which is the highest part of the Hafezieh. Some excerpts of the Hafez poems grace some facades of the long verandah.

In front of you, the mausoleum of Hafez is surmounted by a dome in the shape of a Darvish’s hat which is ornamented with the colorful mosaics. The tombstone is also supported with eight columns that symbolically represent the century in which Hafez lived. You need to go up five stairs in order to get to the marble tombstone on which two of Hafez’s poems are stunningly inscribed. Additionally, various parts of the Hafezieh is decorated with his poems on the mosaics as well.

Divan-e-Hafez, a Memento

Behind the mausoleum, there is an area consists of several shops that sell handicrafts, jewelry, and the Divan-e-Hafez. You may be captivated by the colorful merchandise in the stores, and if you are looking for souvenirs to bring home, you can find them here. If you are eager to record the exotic and aesthetic value of the place, you can rent the traditional clothes at the place, and take beautiful pictures.

By the time you enter the Hafezieh, you can hear the traditional Iranian music playing over the place. Locals, lovers, beloveds and the university students are indigenous to the Hafezieh. People congregate to recite his poems and enjoy the environment. As you are perambulating the Hafezieh, you may be delighted when you see different groups of young people playing different musical instruments because they find this place exotic and inspiring.

The Place Where Love Flows

The attractions of the Hafezieh is not limited to its tomb and garden. The pools in different parts, as well as the tall trees and the various flowers, boost the beauty of the place. If you are looking for a place to refresh yourself, go to the surrounding ground. You can drink herbal tea, juice, eat Ash _something like broth and soup_ and also you can help yourself with “Faloode” at the place.

Do not miss its nights. The Tomb of Hafez is more beautiful at nights so that locals prefer to pay a visit to the place at nights. Locals also gather in the Hafezieh in some special ceremonies like Nowrouz and Yalda Night. On the whole, the Hafezieh is the place where love flows.

By: F. Cheraghi