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Grand Bazaar of Tehran

History

The Grand Bazaar of Tehran is located in the southern parts of the city. It is divided into different parts and sections and it’s corridors cover over 10 km in length. Locally this bazaar is known as Bazaar-e Bozorg. The oldest remaining buildings, walls and passages in the bazaar today are more than 400 years old. Though, this bazaar started to change in the 20th century but old parts of the bazaar still maintain the original look. 
In order to beautify the bazaar through the use of plaster moulding and decorative brickwork were undertaken late in the 20th century. The bazaar closes for couple of hours in the afternoon and then it reopens in the Evening. In the night, sections of the bazaar are locked and guards are placed to mind the area.

A side view of the Tehran's Grand Bazaar
A side view of the Tehran's Grand Bazaar
A girl is sitting in front of one of the entrances to the Grand Bazaar
A girl is sitting in front of one of the entrances to the Grand Bazaar
The Grand Bazaar is located in the southern parts of Tehran
One of the entrances of the Grand Bazaar of Tehran
A shopkeeper selling dried fruit in the Tehran Bazaar
A shopkeeper selling dried fruit in the Tehran Bazaar
Spices and dry fruit on sale inside a shop
This type of display is very popular in Iran's old bazaars
This type of display is very popular in Iran's old bazaars
This guy didn't seemed to be too impressed when I took his photo
This guy didn't seemed to be too impressed when I took his photo
There was a long queue on one side of the bazaar
There was a long queue on one side of the bazaar
People were queuing up to eat in this restaurant - Grand Bazaar Tehran
People were queuing up to eat in this restaurant - Grand Bazaar Tehran
Another entrance of the bazaar
Another entrance of the bazaar
Shops inside the Grand Bazaar of Tehran
A decorated entrance of the bazaar
A decorated entrance of the bazaar
This entrance is less adorned as compared to others
This entrance is less adorned as compared to others
Tehran’s Grand bazaar is a busy place with the shoppers, sellers and bargainers
Tehran’s Grand bazaar is a busy place with the shoppers, sellers and bargainers

The structure of the bazaar represents a glimpse into the Persian architectural style. Some of the trade has moved to the northern parts of Tehran but this bazaar still holds an edge due to its history and prestige. This is a popular hotspot for the locals to do their shopping on daily basis. A guy selling packed Irish Cream, I looked at the package and it was made in Dublin (my hometown). 
The Khomeini Mosque sits in the Grand Bazaar. The mosque was closed at the time of my visit (probably, it only opens during the prayer time). After many centuries, the grand bazaar is still an important place of commerce for Tehranis, Iranians and travelling merchants. 

A beautiful arch of one of the entrance doors of Tehran's Grand Bazaar
A beautiful arch of one of the entrance doors of Tehran's Grand Bazaar
There are many newer markets in Tehran but locals still come to this bazaar in large numbers
There are many newer markets in Tehran but locals still come to this bazaar in large numbers
A bustling Grand Bazaar of Tehran
A bustling Grand Bazaar of Tehran
Goods being solds from carts and shoppers were flocking to them
Goods being solds from carts and shoppers were flocking to them
I was impressed by the judgement of this young seller (small boy on the floor)
I was impressed by the judgement of this young seller (small boy on the floor)
A guy selling packed Irish Cream
A guy selling packed Irish Cream
This is the main entrance of the Imam Khomeini Mosque in the Grand Bazaar
This is the main entrance of the Imam Khomeini Mosque in the Grand Bazaar
The mosque wasn't open at the time of my visit
The mosque wasn't open at the time of my visit
Street parking beside the Tehran Bazaar
Street parking beside the Tehran Bazaar
Fire places being sold from one of the shops
Fire places being sold from one of the shops
This shop was selling religious memorabilia
This shop was selling religious memorabilia
The one thing which I saw in abundance was the dry fruit in the shops
The one thing which I saw in abundance was the dry fruit in the shops