The Bazari

Iran

A journey back in time that takes us into the Middle Ages, at the time of the Silk Road, when the caravans of merchants from distant countries still passed, to sell and buy goods.

They had to pass by Iran, and in its important Bazar. Today, as in the past, in the Bazaars you get overwhelmed by the scents, by the sensations, and you can still find spices, aromatic herbs, dried fruit, the famous Persian rugs, handmade copper pots, gold, silk and everything that can serve for any need. In the Bazaars, Iranians also come to pray in the Mosque or the Mausoleum, to drink tea or simply to take a walk and spend some time with the family. It is also a meeting place where important commercial and political decisions are discussed and taken. For centuries the Bazari, those who run the bazaar shops, are very rich and influential men from the political point of view. The Bazari are normally very religious and conservative, with a long tradition of opposing the authorities. In an attempt to weaken their power, the last Shah, demolished some parts of some bazaars, and built new shopping centers that became direct competitors of the Bazari. For this reason during the Islamic Revolution of 1979, the Bazari of Teheran closed the Bazaar, thus creating a great chaos for the economy of the country.

A woman who looks like a ghost walking along the alleyways of the Bazaar of Naien. The Bazaar has been abandoned for several years and there are very few shops still in operation
Red gold. An ampoule full of saffron, an Iranian prelate famous all over the world and sold by weight of gold
The Khan Amin al Dowleh Timche, the beautiful caravanserai inside the Kashan Bazaar
Tehran Grand Bazaar, is one of the largest in the country, and certainly the most important in terms of economic for all of Iran. To transport goods within 10 kilometers of narrow lanes, they must necessarily use hand-drawn carts from the carriers
A small workshop in the Bazar e Sartasari of Kerman where the typical copper pots are produced by hand
A young girl, with traditional but very made-up clothes, inside her small shop of watches and perfumes in the Bazar e Vakil of Shiraz
Among the various specialties, pistachios are certainly among the most appreciated and sold all over the world
Hamam e Ganj Ali Khan, inside the Bazar e Sartasari of Kerman. The Hamams were used by merchants who stopped to sell or buy goods, after days of hard travel, to recover from the great efforts, but also as a meeting place to negotiate and discuss business
The Bazar e Vakil in Shiraz. Persian rugs are of the highest quality and are exported all over the world
Bazar e Vakil of Shiraz. Most women dress in traditional clothes
The central square of the Bazar e Sartasari of Kerman, one of the oldest Iranian bazaars. Highlights the typical wind tower, Badgir. From its cracks the air comes in to cool the inside of the house or shop, with a particular technique
A young girl who admires one of the many windows of gold jewelry inside the Bazaar of Yazd.
Although the Naien Bazaar has been almost completely abandoned for several years, there is still a very important mausoleum dedicated to Imam Hussein
The fruit and vegetable department at the Kerman Bazaar is very lively from the early hours of the morning
A mosaic of fragrant spices including turmeric, curry, cumin, chili pepper, cardamom.
A beautiful fabric shop inside the Bazar e Vakil of Shiraz. It is customary for the client to sit down while the Bazari shows him the goods
Husband and wife prepare quick meals for customers in the Yazd bazaar
Bazar e Bozorg of Isfahan. The images of Khomeyni and the current Supreme Guide, Kamenei, are always present.
Plums, figs, apricots, dried fruit is part of the daily diet for Iranians
The Bazaar e Bozorg of Isfahan is one of the oldest and most fascinating of Iran. The Bazari are in effect true artists, who with their experience create true masterpieces
Bazar e Bozorg of Isfahan. In the early morning, when the activities are still closed, the Bazar galleries are used as roads
Some women and girls pray before a small mausoleum inside the Kashan Bazaar
A barber inside the Kashan Bazaar. Bazaars are cities in the city, where any type of service is found
A view from the roof of the Bazaar of Kashan, with the typical cupolas that are used to let in the air and light in the galleries below