Arak Bazaar: A Historic Must-See Attraction in Arak
Arak Bazaar: A Historic Icon of Iranian Architecture and Commerce
Arak Bazaar, recognized as the last major example of traditional Iranian architecture in the center of Arak, stands as one of the most vibrant commercial hubs in the city.
Often referred to as the Covered Bazaar, it features an expansive corridor with high arches and tall walls, stretching nearly a kilometer in length and reaching up to seven meters in height.
This impressive structure hosts numerous commercial units, selling everything from luxurious goods and jewelry to regional handicrafts and everyday clothing.
Traditionally, Iranian bazaars served not only as centers for commerce but also as multifunctional complexes providing services such as mosques, inns, caravanserais, water reservoirs, drinking fountains, and bathhouses. Arak Bazaar is no exception, although many of its original auxiliary features have since been lost to time. Today, only the mosque, a drinking fountain, and a warehouse remain intact.
Arak Bazaar was among the first buildings erected in the city, making it a crucial part of its heritage. The current structure includes a mosque, school, bathhouse, water reservoirs, passageways, and caravanserais, constructed during the reign of Fath Ali Shah Qajar by Yousef Khan Gorji in 1828 CE (1228 AH) in the central area of Sultanabad (the former name of Arak). A central four-way intersection lies at the heart of the bazaar, connecting north-south and east-west routes that historically led to the city’s main gates.
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Construction History
The construction of Arak Bazaar is tied to the broader urban development of Sultanabad. The timeline for building the city and its bazaar spanned approximately twenty years, during which the various sections of the marketplace—such as corridors, caravanserais, and trading halls—took shape. The initial foundation of the bazaar was laid by Sepahdar Azam, the governor of Arak in the early 19th century, who also built a mosque and school in his name within the bazaar.
The primary motivation behind establishing this bazaar was to foster economic growth in and around Sultanabad. The region’s fertile agricultural land and the international renown of Sarouk Carpets made it ideal for creating a market where these valuable products could be showcased and sold.
Architectural Design
Unlike many traditional bazaars, which often have organic, winding routes, Arak Bazaar follows a planned, geometric layout. The design reflects the grid-like structure of Sultanabad and embodies a sense of order and symmetry rarely found in other bazaars.
The bazaar consists of two primary perpendicular axes: the north-south axis, which extends 720 meters with two main entrances (one each at the northern and southern ends), and the east-west axis, which is 200 meters long and includes eight passageways and entrances. Secondary passageways run perpendicular to these main routes, further enhancing the structured layout.
The architectural ingenuity of Arak Bazaar helps regulate its climate, keeping the interior warm and comfortable in winter and cool in summer despite its enclosed structure. The two main axes intersect at a central point known as Chahar Souq, which features a stone water basin. The entire bazaar spans approximately 14 hectares. Historically, there were four gates—Qibla Gate, Rahezan Gate, Shahrgerd Gate, and Haj Ali Naqi Gate—but these have since been lost over time.
The primary building material used for the construction of the bazaar was brick, complemented by gypsum, lime, and clay for additional structural integrity. Wooden beams were used to reinforce the structure, and the bases of columns were fortified using copper and lead sheets for extra stability.
The bazaar’s domed ceilings are another distinctive feature, creating a visual rhythm along both the north-south and east-west axes. The central dome at Chahar Souq, where the two axes intersect, is larger and more prominent than the others. Each dome is equipped with a multi-faceted skylight, allowing natural light to enter while also providing ventilation.
Unique Features
The bazaar’s layout—with its two main axes oriented east-west and north-south—allowed it to connect to the city’s historic gates, effectively making it the starting point of the city’s entrances from all four directions. This strategic position gave the bazaar a commanding presence over Arak, reinforcing its importance as the city’s central hub for trade and commerce.
The inner pathways were also designed for safety, enabling rapid evacuation during emergencies such as fires. Each of the caravanserais and market niches has an exit door that leads outside, ensuring swift access and connectivity throughout the bazaar.
Shops and Market Niches
The bazaar features approximately 500 shops, all actively operating along its main routes. In addition to these shops, there are 20 specialized caravanserais and market niches (Timcheh) that serve as storage areas, production workshops, and specialized retail centers.
Market niches are located at intervals of around 50 meters along either side of the bazaar. Notable examples include Timcheh Kashani, which is devoted to carpet trading, and Timcheh Mehr, which focuses on handicrafts. Other niches, such as Nowruzi, Golshan, Aghaei, Booksellers, Nozari, Akbari, Farahaniha, and Kermanshahi, offer a diverse range of goods including clothing and household items.
Caravanserais and Market Niches
Various caravanserais and niches are distributed along the bazaar’s main axes. Many of these buildings are two stories high, allowing traders or travelers from distant areas to use the upper floors as temporary lodging. The caravanserais served dual purposes—as both commercial hubs and rest stops. Some of these caravanserais are named after their founders or the types of goods sold there, such as the elegant Kashani Caravanserai, which continues to be a central spot for carpet trading.
Bathhouses
The Arak Bazaar originally contained four bathhouses, though some of these have since been repurposed. These included Chahar Souq Bathhouse, Now Bathhouse, Sheikh Al-Islam Bathhouse, and Firouzeh Bathhouse.
Functional Roles of the Bazaar
Economic Role
The expansive Arak Bazaar is equipped with all the facilities needed for commercial exchange, including warehouses, storage and unloading zones, sales centers, and numerous caravanserais and market niches. These features have made the bazaar an essential component of the regional economy, attracting both buyers and sellers. Today, Arak Bazaar holds a significant position in the export of dried fruits, handicrafts, and particularly hand-woven carpets.
Social Role
The bazaar is a meeting place where individuals from various social, ethnic, and cultural backgrounds converge and interact. It serves as a critical node for facilitating the supply and demand chain, bringing together buyers and sellers in a dynamic environment.
Political Role
Historically, bazaars in Iran have played important roles in political movements, and Arak Bazaar is no exception. During the Constitutional Revolution, local merchants resisted foreign monopolies in the carpet industry, which turned Arak into a center of anti-colonial sentiment. The bazaar merchants, influenced by the Constitutional Movement, disseminated progressive and anti-imperialist ideas, transforming the marketplace into a hub for socio-political resistance.
National Registration
On November 1, 1976, Arak Bazaar was officially recognized as one of Iran’s National Heritage Sites under registration number 1285.
Adjacent to the bazaar is the Sepahdar Mosque and School, regarded as one of the most beautiful sites in Markazi Province. The rooftop of the bazaar offers a view of the courtyard of this mosque and school.
Despite being over two centuries old, Arak Bazaar continues to function as the economic heart of Arak. Although the types of businesses and the nature of activities have evolved, the bazaar remains a vital, dynamic space that plays an important role in the economic, cultural, and tourism sectors of the city.
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