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

Shiraz, the capital of the largest empire the world has ever seen

Persepolis

The Iranian that hears the name of Shiraz gets an excellent feeling of calm and romance, because of it being the city of poems such as Hafez and Saadi. City of culture and Gardens, Shiraz is indeed a city that should never be missed from one’s Iran trip itinerary.

Persepolis the Capital of Persia

Located 60 kilometers to the north of Shiraz is the World Heritage Site of Persepolis (Takht-E-Jamshid), which used to be the glorious capital of many Persian dynasties. Persepolis was used as a place for gathering and celebrations of significant events like Nourooz. It is also known as Parse and Hezar Sotun (Tausend Pilar). There used to be several palaces at this complex. Apadana, which is amongst the oldest palaces, Tachar, which translates to winter house, can be seen as a museum of calligraphy. Hadish, the private palace of the king, was named after his wife, queen’s palace, used today as a museum and the center of administration for the complex, Sad-Sotun (hundred columns) and Shora which was probably used by the king as the place for meeting. Shiraz is the capital of the largest empire the world has ever seen.

Pasargadae, the tomb of Cyrus the Great

Pasargadae, another World Heritage Site, situated at the heart of Pars, the first ever capital of kings, has numerous palaces built in it by the king’s order. Gardens and fountains were made at the time too, after Darius the great, this place was used as a holy place and also for crowning the kings.

Shiraz; the city of Roses and love

Shiraz is called as the city of flowers and gardens by many Iranians; the Eram Garden as one of the Persian gardens inscribed in the UNESCO World Heritage list is an ancient and historical garden in Shiraz, it comprises a royal villa set in the grounds. It used to be the king’s favorite relaxing place. There is a building in the garden and despite being small, is magnificent, and there a reflecting pool in front of the house. The garden makes good pavement for relaxation.

Traditional merchandise and handicrafts

The Vakil complex, which consists of a mosque, a bathing house, and a bazaar, was built by Karim Khan Zand’s order. This enormous bathing house has the most advanced architectural methods of its time. Vakil Bazaar is one of the most famous traditional and historical markets of Iran. It is most famous for carpets, but also handmade artifacts made by the locals can be bought from here too. At the site of the Vakil mosque, there is an inscription which has Fathali shah and Hossein Ali mirza’s name on it.

The land of poets 

Aramgah Hafez (Hafez mausoleum) is the resting place of the great poet Hafez. His marble tombstone has carvings of his poems; the site has eight stone columns beneath a tiled dome. What should be the fun activity of this place is performing the FaaleHafezz, which is seeing your future by opening a volume of Hafez.