Esfahan bazaar
The Esfahan Bazaar with its unique architecture is one of the oldest and largest bazaars in the Middle East due to its proximity to the dome of Nezām Al-Molk and the Jām'e mosque, was also called Bazar Nezāmieh or Nezām Al-Molki.
The construction of the original building and of the different parts has been extended from the tenth to the thirteenth century of the solar Hegira in the periods Safavid and qajaro.
The main axis of Bazaar of Esfahan is formed by two floors of which the first consists of shops and commercial offices, while the second in the past was dedicated to commercial activities and business and still today in the parts of this axis the artisans are dedicated working in the traditional way and in the past.
Perhaps many imagine that the bazaar of Esfahan is limited only to the surroundings of Naqsh-eJahān Square and to some other small areas but it is not so, it is bigger than one can imagine.
This bazaar extends very interestingly in the heart of the city of Esfahān and even around the Naqsh-e Jahān square. The entrance to this unmatched building is from the north of this same square and is called the Qeysarieh portico.
This construction is made up of sections and various bazaars, among which the most important is the Qeysarieh; from this other bazaars branch out as well: the Arabān bazaar, Hārunieh, Nim Āvard Golshan, Ookhles, the samovar manufacturers and the Maqsudbeik bazaar.
In this large covered bazaar or "covered gallery" there are also mosques such as: Zoulfaqār, Jārechi bāshi, Shishe and religious madrasas such as: Malā Abdollah, Jodde-ye bozorg va kuchak, Nimāvard, Hārunieh, Sadr, Kāse gerān and historical caravanserragli such as: Mokhles, Golshan and even some hammams.
The Qeysarieh portal with the architecture, the inlaid tiles, the workmanship in muqarnas etc..is dazzling and was erected in the Safavid period by the well-known architect of this period, Ali Akbar Esfahāni. The wooden entrance door of the bazaar was a direct witness of 400 years of entry and exit of people and traders.
Above this portal, in addition to the precious majolica, there are many frescoes depicting episodes of the war of the Shāh Abbās, hunting, foreigners of the Safavid court etc .. but with the passing of time, parts of them that had been performed by Rezā Abbāsi, well-known artist of the Safavid period, they disappeared.
Also a clock and a bell on the island of Hormoz were placed above the Qeysarieh portal and on both sides of it there are two large platforms where in the past the jewelers sold their products.
The current building of this portal has 2 floors but in the past had an extra floor called naghāre khāne where some singers with instruments like the naghāreh, the trumpet, the horn, the dhol (percussion instrument) and the drum, from there announced important news, the rise and sunset of the sun, the new year and the entry of particular goods.
The great Bazaar of Esfahān which once also had the place where coins were minted and which has now changed function has become a bank, is not limited only to the Qeysarieh bazaar; Famous bazaars such as the coppersmiths, goldsmiths, blacksmiths, gunsmiths, shoemakers, hat makers, pastry vendors, are also found around the Naqsh-e Jahān square.
In this bazaar, in addition to coming into contact with the creation and sale of handicrafts of other kinds such as handmade copper and bronze crockery, jewelry, spices, vinegar, dried fruit, fabrics, bags and shoes, clothes , dusters, etc. you can buy many other things.
