Iranian bazaars are central elements in the making of the architec- ture and urbanism of various cities of Iran. However, many of their valuable qualities have remained unstudied. Even in the pre-Islamic period (particularly in the Sassanid pe- riod) Bazaars served as the backbone to cities and many important urban elements (ranging from entrance gates to major public and religious spaces and the governor’s house) were connected to this axis and directly influenced by it. The historical Zand complex is the last example of a complete urban complex in Iran. It includes the following spaces: the great governmental citadel, Vakil Mosque, Vakil Bathhouse and Kolah- farangi pavilion where Karim Khan’s most honorable guests were received. It is now called Pars Museum and is the burial place of the reputable king. The Vakil Great Bazaar connects smaller service spaces and offices along the north-south axis of the major governmental build- ings. Vakil Bazaar surpasses the big bazaars of other cities such as Isfahan, Tehran, Kerman or Kashan, in its width. With 64 vaults and more than 11 meters of height, it rises higher than the other examples. The height of the bazaar corresponds to the environmental conditions of the region. The need for ventilation shows an attention to the fact that hot air tends to move upwards while the circulation of cool air happens near the ground surface. The openings in the walls and the ceiling help ventilation. Surrounding by other spaces, there exists a small space known as Zarrabkhaneh (the mint) decorated with beautiful glazed tiles and facing Rowghani caravanserai. Coins were minted there and other commercial and monetary transactions carried out. In its time, it played the role of a bank. The construction material used in Vakil Bazaar is mostly comprised of simple material such as brick, lime and gypsum. The foundations were carved out of stone slabs on which the walls were based. The structure of the roof is based on vaults. To avoid damp- ness, rooms are built 60 to 100 centimeters above the passage level.

Moshir Bazaar and Moshir Saray Moshir Saray is a charming space built in the Qajarid period when Shiraz had lost the credit of being a capital to country after the over- throw of Zand dynasty. However, Vakil Bazaar remained an active and dynamic center for the southern Iran. The citrus trees and a rectangular pond within the courtyard sud- denly create an atmosphere very different than that of the crowded main axis. The use of bricks as a dominant material in the footings, walls and facades as well as glazed tiles with floral patterns used inside the vaults and curved skylights, together with sash-windows and heavily decorated wooden windows with colourful windowpanes bestow a particular beauty on this exquisite and delightful space.

* Babak Zirak graduated in architecture at Iran National University. He has been director manager for Aran Consulting Engineers and chairman of some research project and has published more than 42 articles on Iran’s historical architecture and urbanism in professional journals.

بازار و سراي مشيرMoshir Bazaar and Moshir Saray

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