Tajrish Bazaar: Discover Tehran’s Top Traditional market
Discover the Charms of Tehran's Tajrish Bazaar: Amenities and Attractions
Tajrish Bazaar in Tehran is one of the city’s oldest markets and is now an important place for tourists to visit. This market in northern Shemiranat attracts tourists to Tehran, offering a memorable experience rich in history. Join us at SURFIRAN as we explore the wonders of Tehran’s Tajrish Bazaar.
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A Pictorial History of Tehran at Tajrish Bazaar
Tajrish Bazaar is one of the oldest markets in Tehran. It has a covered area and a simple design. These features make it a unique traditional market. Both domestic and international tourists flock here, drawn by the allure of an authentic Iranian atmosphere.
Located in North Tehran’s Tajrish neighborhood, it is close to Tajrish Square and the Tajrish metro station. This traditional market connects the old neighborhoods of Sarband and Tajrish. It leads to Imamzadeh Saleh on one side and the important Takyeh on the other side.
A Takyeh is a building where Shia Muslims gather to mourn Husayn’s death during Muharram. These structures are common across Iran, with Tehran hosting up to 50 takyehs under the Qajar dynasty.
Tajrish Bazaar accommodates nearly 400 shops, each sign written in traditional Persian Nastaliq script on turquoise tiles above the storefronts. As evening approaches or during holidays, especially before the New Year, the bazaar becomes increasingly lively and crowded. In the days leading up to Nowruz, the area around the square and market teems with people shopping for the new year, alongside performers announcing the arrival of the new year among the crowds.
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Vendors offer everything needed for the Haft-Sin table, including fish, various sprouts, colored eggs, and more. The Tajrish Bazaar in Tehran is a busy market. It is an important cultural and social center. The bazaar is located near mosques, Imamzadeh, takyeh, and the city hall. It is a popular attraction in Tehran. It was recently restored, which enhanced its beauty. Now, it resembles a smaller version of the Grand Bazaar.
If you’ve visited this market, you’ll notice that beyond the hustle and bustle of its corridors, at the end of the market lies a large platform surrounding the fruit and vegetable section. This part, the oldest section of the market and takyeh, dates back to the Qajar era, originally built for Muharram mourning ceremonies.
History of Tajrish Bazaar
Wondering how old Tajrish Bazaar in Tehran might be? Walking through Tajrish Bazaar feels like visiting a museum. The walls are decorated with old patterns and tiles. This gives the market a traditional look. You might guess that this market has a long history.
Indeed, the bazaar has been thriving for more than 100 years, a century filled with the hard work of its vendors.
In times past, before the area was surrounded by homes and buildings, Tajrish was known for the holy site of Imamzadeh Saleh, a covered traditional market, and the Tajrish river, with lush fruit gardens as far as the eye could see.
Although the construction of modern complexes like Qaem Passage has somewhat disrupted the historical fabric of Tajrish Bazaar, efforts continue to restore and maintain its traditional atmosphere.
The exact age of the bazaar is subject to speculation, but sources indicate it was built around 70 years ago. Some of the market’s older vendors believe its origins could date back 150 years, with certain structures within the bazaar suggesting it might even be 200 years old. The large Takyeh of Tajrish, believed to be over 220 years old, predates the market itself.
Strolling Through the Stalls and Shops
At Tajrish Bazaar in Tehran, the stalls and shops are organized by the types of goods they sell and their sizes. This arrangement makes it easy to navigate the market. Near Tajrish street and the metro station, there are juice and ice cream vendors, making it easy to get refreshments without much crowd. Inside, you’ll find shops with dried fruits and snacks. At the end, there are many food items, clothes, shoes, toys, and household goods available for you to explore.
Clothing
Tajrish Bazaar has many clothing stalls for women, men, and children, featuring different styles, scarves, and traditional outfits. Many clothing vendors in Tajrish are wholesalers, making their prices quite reasonable.
Home Goods
Part of the market is dedicated to home goods stores, selling kitchenware, copper pots, glass, and porcelain items.
Fruits
The Takyeh area of Tajrish Bazaar has a special market for fruits and vegetables. It provides a local shopping experience. Shoppers can find a variety of fresh produce and other fruit vendors in the market.
Spices and Pickles
One of the market’s most fascinating sections is the aisle of pickle and spice shops, dried fruits, and traditional snacks. Walking through this area fills the air with the smells of pickles, spices, and snacks. It’s hard to resist buying something. This is true even if you didn’t plan to buy anything.
Handicrafts
Tajrish Bazaar has many shops that sell handicrafts. You can find jewelry, rosaries, rugs, and other crafts there. This makes your visit to the market more enjoyable.
Tajrish Bazaar Restaurants
Tajrish Bazaar has many restaurants to choose from, including kebabs, Iranian dishes, and fast food, catering to different tastes.
As noon nears, the smell of tasty food fills the market, and vendors usually choose to have lunch from the market’s popular restaurants.
The Historic Takyeh of Tajrish Bazaar
One of Tehran’s oldest Takyehs is located within Tajrish Bazaar. The place is mainly a fruit and vegetable market, but during Muharram, it also hosts mourning ceremonies and performances.
Mosques of Tajrish Bazaar
An interesting aspect of the bazaar is its incorporation of several of Tehran’s old mosques. Mosques and schools were usually built near markets, and Tajrish Bazaar is similar. It has three mosques: Saheb Al Zaman, Aazam, and Seyed al-Shohada, all located within its historic area.
The Best Time to Visit Tajrish Bazaar
The best time to visit the lively Tajrish Bazaar in Tehran depends on whether you want to shop or enjoy the food. Your purpose will change when to go.
The best time to shop is during quiet hours, like mid-week days, when there are no holidays or special events happening. In the evening, Tajrish Bazaar comes alive with open shops and beautiful lights. It’s the perfect time to enjoy traditional Iranian food and explore the market’s attractions.
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Tajrish Bazaar Operating Hours
Tajrish Bazaar is open almost daily from 9 AM to 10 PM, typically busier at night. Even on Fridays, the traditional market remains open, though expect it to be more crowded on holidays and weekends.
Accessing Tajrish Bazaar
You can enter Tajrish Bazaar through the main entrance or nearby paths. One of these paths is the Qaem Tajrish Passage. This makes it easy to access the bazaar.
Transportation Options to Tajrish Bazaar
- Metro: The red line’s terminal station at Tajrish connects directly to Tajrish Square, making it a convenient option.
- BRT Bus: The terminal station of the Railway-Tajrish Line 7 BRT is at the end of Quds Square, close to Tajrish Square—a mere 5-minute walk away. This offers an affordable and accessible route to the bazaar.
- Bus: The Resalat-Quds line also stops at Quds Square, at the end of Shariati Street near Tajrish Square, providing another convenient access point from the east of Tehran.
- Taxi: Taxis from all major points in Tehran head towards Quds Square or Tajrish Square, offering a quick way to reach the bazaar.
- Personal Vehicle: Driving from areas like Valiasr Street, Zafaraniyeh, or Niavaran towards Tajrish Square, or from Shariati Street to Quds Square and then towards Tajrish Square, are options. Due to the area’s popularity, several public parking lots near Tajrish Bazaar and its square have been established, though finding a parking spot can be challenging.
Tajrish Bazaar: Final Words
Tajrish Bazaar has a rich history and many attractions. It is a popular spot for people living in Tehran and for visitors. Every year, it draws large crowds, even on a daily basis. If you visit Tehran, don’t miss the lively atmosphere of this market. It is a must-see for everyone, whether you are from Iran or another country. Tehran combines traditional and modern features, showing a new and interesting side of the city.
The streets leading to Tajrish Square are busy and polluted. Despite this, they bring joy to the people of Tehran. This shows the lively spirit of the city.
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