Kerman Grand Mall
Kerman Bazaar or Kerman Grand Bazaar is one of the national works of Iran and one of the famous places of Kerman, which starts from Arg Square and ends at Mushtaqiye Square. For this reason, it is considered as the longest row in Iran's market. This market was mainly built after the 8th century AH, and as a result, every part of it was built at the time of one of the city officials and contains special features of each period. Some features of Kerman market are unique among Iranian markets. Like the presence of the tallest windmill in Kerman in the market, which is world famous. The complex of buildings around the market of Kerman from the Safavid period onwards were all created in connection with the market. This market is a good place to buy Kerman souvenirs and handicrafts.
Kerman market, which was registered as a national work on 25 May 1380 AH, has gone through many historical periods and its architectural style is very rich and valuable. From the point of view of many tourism researchers, this market is considered the largest and longest market in Iran and has been the place of buying and selling, exporting and importing the province for a long time.
Also, due to the fact that it was located on the spice road and then the silk road, it played a very big role in the economic prosperity of the region. Cloth, copper utensils and all kinds of handicrafts of Kerman were exported to China and India, and spices and cloth were imported from there.
Kerman Grand Bazaar includes different lines and markets, and interestingly, the buildings connected to this market make up 60% of Kerman's historical buildings. In each of these markets, there are buildings such as mosques and baths. Saf Azakhane, Vakil Mosque, Ganj Ali Khan Mosque and Chehlsetun Mosque are each mosques that are named after their main bazaar and are considered a part of its building. From the special shape of each of the baths or mosques in different markets, you can check the type of architecture of their period and reach interesting results.
Kerman Grand Bazaar also has other buildings around it, each of which was created in connection with different markets and in different eras. For example, the Ibrahim Khan complex, which is one of the famous buildings, includes a school, a mosque, a caravanserai, and a bathhouse, as well as the Vakil complex, which houses the Vakil school and mosque.
One of the other characteristics of the Kerman market are the markets that cut it in the west and east; Meanwhile, the two bazaars of Qala and Mahmoud Qala are in line with each other and perpendicular to the bazaar.
Kerman bazaar has long been a trading place for cloth, handicrafts and copper vessels. This market is known as the most important distributor of spices in the south-east of Iran, and it sells everything from the famous cumin of Kerman to Indian curry. The presence of the Sarchesheme copper mine 50 km away from Rafsanjan has also made the line of copper miners in Kerman market very famous. Special souvenirs and sweets of Kerman, such as klumpe, are also found in abundance in this market, and its Attaran market is famous for its supply of high-quality herbal medicines and herbs.
When visiting this big market, you can use facilities such as mosque, toilet, restaurant and cafe, coffee house, canteen and parking.
The structure of Kerman's traditional market is made up of elements or sections including the main and secondary streets or crossings, Serai, Timcheh and Chaharsuq or Chaharsu. Sera, or the main and secondary passages, is a long route of the market, on both sides of which there are various stores and shops, each offering a product.
When you walk in the market of Kerman, you come across a central courtyard surrounded by various cells. In the market of Kerman, there are covered spaces dedicated to the exchange of special goods. This market space, which is known as "Timcheh", is decorated with unique beauty. Chaharsouk or Chaharsu also has a beautiful atmosphere in the style of authentic Iranian architecture, which is the intersection of the two main streets of the market.
The main feature of Kerman market architecture can be seen in its simplicity. The characteristics of this architecture are the repeating form of the arches in large and small dimensions, regular rhythm, symmetry and the dominant color of the soil, which is decorated with blue tiles in some places. The architectural dimensions of Kerman Bazaar do not have an exterior; Except for elements such as wind turbines or mosques or caravanserais, which also have a symbolic aspect. Before the fabric surrounding the bazaar was built as it is today, the row of domes of the bazaar stood out like the backbone of the city. The market of the city was in harmony with the desert and only minarets and windmills could be seen.
In addition to being covered, the historical market of Kerman is dense and introverted to have the most shade and the least absorption of the sun's heat. The straw layer on the outer body of the bazaar acts as insulation and returns radiant heat. The ceiling of the Kerman market is very high, which causes a pleasant air flow inside the market. Also, the vents of the vaults help in air conditioning and light supply. In some buildings, wind deflectors have been used for air conditioning. Oil paintings can still be seen in parts of the ceiling of the bazaar.
Mesgari market is one of the most famous and old parts of Kerman market where various copper utensils and objects can be found. When entering this bazaar, the first thing that catches your attention is the iron effect of the bazaar along with a special sound. Beautiful copper dishes, each of which has its own design and role, have given this market a traditional look. In this market, you can buy simple copper vessels, pen vessels and many other shapes and objects as souvenirs of Kerman.
