Qazvin Bazaar is one of the most beautiful traditional bazaars in Iran and one of the most spectacular tourist places in Qazvin. A market that is a thousand years old and once had an extraordinary importance in Iran’s international trade. A masterpiece of Safavid and Qajar period architecture and a symbol of everything from traditional Iranian markets. If you want your trip to Qazvin to be complete, you should not miss sightseeing in this market, seeing its architectural and artistic beauties and the pleasure of shopping in the old style.
The architecture of Qazvin Bazaar is reminiscent of the bazaar architecture of Isfahan and Shiraz and is a beautiful combination of Safavid and Qajar period architecture. This large market, that has been developed and changed over the years, today covers an area of about 14 hectares and consists of different sections, each of which belongs to a specific class. The unique architectural decorations of this market are mostly a combination of brick and tile work.
Walking in Qazvin Bazaar, you will enter a paradise whose structure and architecture are unique. On the other hand, this market, like other traditional markets in Iran, was not only a destination for buying and selling, but also included cultural, religious and service sectors. Sections such as caravanserai, baths and water reservoirs, zurkhaneh, mosque and school have all been an integral part of Qazvin bazaar, and there are still a number of these centers in the market.
Qazvin Bazaar is a thousand years old. Like most Iranian bazaars, Qazvin Bazaar was located in the busiest part of the city and surrounded by the city’s neighborhoods until it reached the Grand Mosque. After Shah Tahmasb Safavid made Qazvin his capital, many changes took place in the city. At this time, a large square was formed in Qazvin, that later became a model for Naghsh Jahan Square. Important parts of the traditional Qazvin market were built during this period. One of the most important market segments of that period was Shah Abbasi Caravanserai.
There is no trace of Bazaar Square and the Prophet’s Mosque has replaced the Shah Abbasi Caravanserai. Following these changes, the Grand Mosque was separated from the bazaar and new passages were opened to the Bazaar from the Prophet’s Mosque, that was renamed the New Grand Mosque. These changes continued during the Qajar period and brought the traditional market of Qazvin to its peak. One of the reasons for the importance of this market at that time was that Qazvin is located on the western and eastern roads of Iran, and these positions made Qazvin market the economic heart of the region and the center of international trade to Europe and Russia.
Old sections of the market
This market in ancient times had segments, some of that are now extinct. Among the famous markets of Qazvin traditional bazaar complex, we can mention the bazaar of enthusiasts, weavers, carpenters, carpenters, tanners, planners, string gauges, cotton sellers, blacksmiths, goldsmiths, chittaggers, forage growers, tin makers and weavers.
The famous bazaars of Qazvin Bazaar were: Agha, Ustad Ali Najjar, Baghshah, Haj Idris, Masoom, Haj Mir Hassan, Haj Mohammad Rahim, Qaisaria Bazaar, Tumansian, Saffron, Cherokee and 4 other famous bazaars of Qazvin Bazaar. Shah named Sarai Wazir, Sarai Saadat, Saad Al-Saltanah Caravanserai, Dalan Daraz Palace, Negar Al-Saltanah Palace and.
Saad Al-Saltanah Palace is the peak of beauty in traditional Iranian markets
This collection, that was registered as one of the national monuments of Iran in 1978, is literally one of the most beautiful sections that can be seen in the traditional markets of Iran. It is not possible to enter Saad al-Satna Palace and not be amazed by the beauty of its tiles, domes, entrances and generally interesting architecture. Because the architectural work of this beautiful house has been entrusted to the capable hands of two of the top Iranian architects, “Master Mehdi Chegini” and “Master Hassan Khanjari”.
Saad al-Saltanah Palace, that has an area of 26,000 meters, was built during the reign of Nasser al-Din Shah Qajar by order of the ruler of Qazvin, Baqer Khan Saad al-Saltanah. This house is a complete complex including Chaharsooq, Caravanserai, Bazaar and 3, that also has several entrances. A number of entrances open to the surrounding streets and others lead to Qazvin Bazaar. Most of these entrances have porches with very beautiful and attractive architecture.
In the southern part of Saad al-Saltanah Palace, there are four beautiful souks, that have a very high and masterful dome. There are brick semicircles around the dome with regular geometric shapes. Around the dome there are 16 rooms with a height of 1 meter from the ground, that are decorated with inlaid wooden doors. In the southwest of Sara, there is the courtyard of the camel, that was a place for unloading camels in the past and is now the market dock. In the southern part of the courtyard, there is an indoor and brick space with 100 columns, that is considered the warehouse of Saad Al-Saltanah’s warehouse, and shows a very beautiful indoor space.
Other spectacular segments of the market
Qaisaria Bazaar Qazvin: Qaisaria is the part of the bazaar where luxury and expensive goods are sold. Qaysarin Bazaar in Qazvin has always been a famous place for trade and a place to provide services to artisans. The impressive height and unique beauty of the brick arches of this market will surely fascinate you. Qaysar Qaisaria Bazaar has four entrances that are connected to different parts of the bazaar. The north door opens to Timcheh Sarbaz, the south door opens to Timcheh Sarboodeh, the east door to Sarai Wazir and the west door to four small doors.
Razavi Palace: Razavi Palace was built as a caravanserai during the reign of Shah Tahmasb and then changes were made during the reign of Fath Ali Shah. In ancient times, people used to rest with their livestock in the Razavi Palace or the Shah Palace, but today this part of the market is used differently. The architecture of this two-porch building is very beautiful and impressive. On two floors, rooms have been built around the house, and on the west porch, there is a porch with a brick dome and very beautiful tiles to the cloth market.
Wazir Palace: This beautiful palace has a large courtyard, that is surrounded by two floors of rooms with truncated arches. The first floor cells are built at a distance of one meter from the ground and most of the second floor cells have sash doors. The beautiful tiling of the arches of the cells takes you to the mesmerizing world of Islamic designs, winged humans and hunting scenes of birds, lions and horses. The entrance of the minister’s house has a porch with delicate and beautiful arches and tiles, and the center of the house has a brick dome with large lighting.
Qazvin Prophet Mosque: The Prophet Mosque is an old and historical mosque whose main building is attributed to the Safavid era, but in the inscription on the entrance of the mosque it is mentioned that the building was built during the reign of Fath Ali Shah. The architect of the Prophet’s Mosque is known as Master Mirza Shirazi. These days, this mosque is also a place of worship for the people of Qazvin for Friday prayers.
Haj Reza House: This house, that was built during the Qajar period, has a large courtyard with rooms that surround the courtyard. The entrance of this house has beautiful arches and the arches of the rooms also have truncated arches and beautiful tiles. In the past, this house belonged to a merchant from the Caucasus and Tabriz.
Soldier Timcheh: This Timcheh is notable for its beautiful arched entrance and the spectacular tiles of its cells. The beautiful rooms of this Timcheh have inlaid wooden doors and yellow and pink tiles with various designs such as flowers, plants and birds.
