Bazaar Reza
Reza Bazaar is one of the first covered bazaar in Mashhad. Despite the modern shopping centers built in this city, it has still maintained its popularity and reputation. In fact, Reza Bazaar is the first option for buying souvenirs in Mashhad and for this reason, it is among the must-see places in Mashhad. In the rest of this article, Persiana Travel and Tourism Agency gives you comprehensive and useful information about this place.
Reza Bazaar is a popular shopping destination
Reza Bazaar is one of the shopping destinations and tourist attractions of Razavi Khorasan Province. It is one of the covered bazaars of Mashhad near to the shrine of Imam Reza. It is often the first destination for tourists to buy souvenirs. If you are on your way to this traditional place from Ab square, you will first see the huge arch of the Sardar and its two entrance corridors. Most people are unconsciously drawn to the right aisle to browse and shop for a long time.
Mashhad becomes very crowded on some days of the year, such as religious holidays and Nowruz. So, a large number of tourists visit this place in their trip to Mashhad. So, in order to have an easier visit and shopping, travel to Mashhad on quieter days.
Nowadays, the stalls of bazaar, which are closer to Beytol- Moghaddas Square, have a higher value and price. This is because of the presence of the wealthy sections of the society. Also, the units on the right side of it are more visited by tourists than the ones on the left side. Therefore, in terms of price, they are more expensive shops.
The main active guilds active are divided into three categories in bazaars: silver and precious jewelry, saffron, dried fruit and perfume. Meanwhile, some shops are rented or sold more expensively than other shops because of their reputation and name. The same thing applies to the second floor of Bazaar. Since it has been owned by the gold and jewelry guild, the prices of its shops are more expensive than other similar places.
History of Reza Bazaar
Before the opening of this bazaar, there was no significant shopping center in the city. For this purpose, during the Pahlavi period, under the orders of Mohammadreza Shah, the construction of it started. Engineer Dariush Burbor was in charge of the design of it. At that time his team of 50 people started extensive research for the reconstruction and improvement of the shrine’s surroundings. In the initial plan, the cooling and heating of the shops was supposed to be in the form of air conditioning and through fan coils. In addition, the installation of escalators and fully automatic fire extinguishing systems and escape routes were also on the agenda, but they were not implemented.
Also, according to engineer Bor Bor, squares with ponds, fountains, coffee shops and amenities were planned. But they were not implemented and there is no space for people to rest and breathe. Even according to the design, they wanted to install a row of wood across the front of the shops so that the names of the shops would be harmonious. This did not go according to plan.
In parallel with the implementation of the development plan around the Shrine, Bazaar complex was founded. The old bazaar of Mashhad was located around the shrine of Imam Reza and continued to the neighborhoods around the shrine through several paths. Abdul Azim Valian, the then governor of Khorasan and the vice-president of Astan Quds, was in charge of the implementation of the flat plan. He ordered its demolition under the pretext that the roof of the old bazaar was collapsing, which caused a protest by the trademen.
Finally, the construction of this building in a land of one kilometer long and 33 meters wide started in 1354 AH and its construction took 11 months and was completed in 1975.
Reza Bazaar is designed in a traditional and Islamic way
Reza bazaar has a traditional and Islamic architecture. Its entrances are designed in the same way and in the form of stairs. The brick facade of this building is at the height of its simplicity and boasts a magnificent architecture. This building is a covered building with two floors. It has a ceramic floor and its shops are built without any glass or walls. As a result, there is no distance between customers and shopkeepers When you enter it and walk on ceramic floors, you can see souvenirs of Mashhad in every stall and shop. Iranian-Islamic architecture will attract your attention, especially in the main entrances of it.
The portals are slightly forward in the form of a staircase, and it seems that the middle portal of it was built a little bigger than the others.At the end of the entrance of it, there are two other entrances, which are intended for the movement of shopkeepers. The design of the main entrances of it, is also similar and the arches of the two main entrances are also the same. The combination of brick facade and blue color in entrance of this building, attracts the attention of every passerby.
At first glance, you might think that this is a uniformed bazaar. But it is made up of 6 separate bazaars, and the end of each reaches an alley. It is a place equipped with a bench and drinking fountain where you can relax. There is also a staircase next to each vestibule that helps to access the second floor.
156 shops are located in bazaar number 1 and 6, which are large in space. 176 smaller shops are also in bazaar number two, three, four and five. In total, there are 2,092 shops in this building. It has 11 houses and 17 squares, and all bazaars are equipped with wooden doors, locks and fittings, special glasses and metal shutters. This place consists of a main building and side bazaars, which have access through 12 entrances.
Different sections of Reza Bazaar
If you look at Reza Bazaar from above, you will see that the its space is built as two parallel floors, ground floor and second floor. If you want to access the second floor, you can only go to the upper floor through 12 side corridors. Because the shops are in the same row. This place has an area of 7200 square meters, of which 4300 square meters are located in the interior of the Reza Bazaar. The rest is outside of it. The interior architecture of this covered building has given an impressive effect to it. Because it has 17 squares and 11 houses.
Ground floor
the traditional architecture of this building and a great place to buy all kinds of souvenirs has made this place as one of the busiest places in Mashhad. So that you will encounter many tourists at any time of the year. This attraction is a good place to buy jewelry, goldsmiths, perfume, silver, fabric, clothes, spices, saffron, food, toys, rosary, seal and mats. One of the reasons for the popularity of this place in Mashhad is the affordable prices of its goods and souvenirs.
Second floor
the second floor of it is parallel to the lower floor. The second floor is also very important and attractive. This floor is mostly dedicated to stone-carving, turquoise-carving, handicrafts, gold-making, photography and embroidery workshops.
Reza Bazaar is one of the shopping centers of Mashhad, which is located near the shrine of Imam Reza. You can buy all kinds of souvenirs, from rugs, seals, and rosaries to turquoise and agate rings, saffron, spices, barberry, plants and etc. from Reza Bazaar. You could book different tours to Mashhad from Persiana Travel and Tourism Agency in an affordable price.