May 31, 2021 Virtual garden exhibition Virtual exhibition of harvesting horticultural products will be held in Damavand, Tehran, to develop agricultural tourism, said the central province’s Cultural 5 Heritage, Tourism and Handicrafts Department, CHTN reported. Iranica Coin museum to be established in Kurdestan’s Qorveh

Iranica Desk for public viewing. He said the museum, extending in an area of coin museum will be established in the 250 square meters, is expected to generate several city of Qorveh in the western province of jobs in the city. A Kurdestan in cooperation with the private He said that the octagonal building belongs to sector in near future, said the head of the city’s Qorveh’s Municipality, adding that preparations Cultural Heritage, Tourism and Handicrafts De- for the transfer of this building for its commis- partment. sioning and equipping by the province’s depart- Organized by Qorveh’s Islamic City Council ment are underway. and Municipality and in cooperation with the Cul- A museum, as an exhibition of the historical, tural Heritage, Tourism and Handicrafts Depart- cultural, identity, and literary resources of each ment, the museum will be set up in an octagonal nation, plays a key role in illustrating that nation. building located in Rezvan Park to attract tourists, The establishment of the museum can help devel- Mohammad Moradi said, CHTN reported. op cultural tourism in Qorveh, Moradi said. He said that a number of the ancient coins, dat- Referring to the cultural and historical signifi- ing back to various historical periods of and cance of Qorveh, he added that this museum will foreign countries, were collected by the city’s col- be dedicated to showing the antiquity and impor- lectors and artists to be displayed in the museum tance of coins in the past.” jahannews.com mojnews.com

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The largest roofed in the world, Bazaar or Ta- Caravanserais briz Historic Bazaar Complex is one of the must-visits of Tabriz for any traveler who looks for a historic complex that Tabriz Bazaar, It’s interesting to know the huge Tabriz historic bazaar is still a very lively and popular place. Often regarded as one contains several caravanserais. Of course caravanserais of the most important trade centers of the and the made up for an important element of all Iranian . In Middle East, Tabriz Bazaar is a UNESCO World Heritage the old times, traders used to bring their goods carrying by Site due to its historical, cultural and architectural value, the largest indoor bazaar in world horses or camels to the bazaars. Then they would leave their turquoisedomes.com wrote. goods in the place called caravanserai to take rest before start bargaining with other traders. So the social and eco- Why should any Tabriz traveler visit this bazaar? nomic value of caravanserais can be well understood. The architectural characteristics of these caravanserais served as Not only is Tabriz Bazaar an architectural masterpiece, breathing windows for the great complex. They contained but it also displays an alive and real picture of local culture courtyards, pools and water reservoirs that helped provide to any visitor. Strolling its labyrinthine mazes is an unfor- fresh air for the chambers and passageways of the bazaar. gettable experience since each passageway of this roofed Interestingly, Tabriz historic bazaar contains several cara- market – known as rasteh in Persian – is used as a venue vanserais which are all worth a visit. The great Caravanse- to sell specific goods. Not to mention that this historic ba- rai of Amir, Caravanserai of Haj Seyyed Hossein Kohneh zaar contains 20 passageways! Almost 40 different types of and Caravanserai of Haj Mirza Mohammad are some of the goods are sold in the shops of the grand bazaar every day. In most famous ones. fact, it’s the best place for buying souvenirs in Tabriz due to the wide range of options that you can choose from. Baths or hammams

History of Tabriz Bazaar As explained earlier, bazaars used to have several social

turquoisedomes.com functions besides being trade centers. In the past, when Like any other historical complex, Tabriz Bazaar bears baths had not become an ele- many stories to be told. It was regarded as the ment of households, people main trade center of Iran during the 13th cen- apochi.com of Iran – and other countries tury when Tabriz was the capital of the country in the Middle East – would during Safavid Era. It’s not surprising that this use public baths known bazaar was a very prominent commercial cen- as hammam or garmabeh ter since Tabriz was located in a strategic spot which were mostly located along the famous Silk Road. Although Tabriz in grand bazaars. Tabriz his- lost the status of being the capital city of Iran in toric bazaar, as the largest 16th century, the grand bazaar of Tabriz never bazaar of the Middle East, lost its importance and economical value. contains several hammams such as Hammam-e Khan, Sections of Tabriz Bazaar Hammam-e Ghazi Ham- mam-e Ferdowsi and Ham- Tabriz Bazaar, like any other Iranian ba- mam-e Mirza Mahdi. These zaars, contains several chambers that are public baths have interesting called hojreh in Persian. Interestingly, the architectural characteristics grand bazaar of Tabriz features 6500 cham- that reveal the thoughtful- bers. Also, you can find 35 caravanserais here oasisiran.com ness of architects of the old which were used as a place for caravans to sell trip to Iran. But let’s have a look at what times. Not to mention that their goods in the bazaar during the old times. makes Tabriz historic bazaar different hammams used to be re- If you choose to visit this bazaar with a knowledgeable from other magnificent roofed markets garded as popular places for guide, you will be astonished by the stories that lay behind of Iran (and even the whole Middle turquoisedomes.com socializing and entertaining! each chamber of this magnificent place. It contains 25 en- East). People would gather in these closed areas called timcheh which are used as venues for This historic bazaar, which is still re- Even today, people in baths, wash themselves, take massages, chat with each other selling goods with more heavy weighs. Amir Timcheh, Mo- garded as one of the main trade centers this large trade center and enjoy cool sherbets for hours. zaffariyeh Timcheh, Haji Mohammad Qoli Timcheh and of Tabriz despite the wide popularity can give you a good idea Qand Forooshan Timcheh are among the most famous ones. of modern shopping malls, has had so- about the lifestyle of the What else to expect Exploring each corridor and chamber of this grand bazaar cial, political and economic functions people of Tabriz. No mat- is a splendid experience that you must not miss. Each sec- throughout history. In other words, not ter young or old, male or No one will ever get bored in the historic bazaar of Ta- tion is unique and has a different feel to the visitors. Walk only it serves as the main spot for sell- whc.unesco.org female, locals from all so- briz! Its architecture is merely what you have traveled to along its alleys and explore! ing and buying goods in Tabriz, but it cial classes and economic Iran to see! Its shops are full of eye-catching goods such has also worked as a place for social gathering in critical backgrounds come to Tabriz Bazaar to find goods their need as crystal glassware. As buying crystals, kitchenware and What makes it an outstanding complex? moments of Iran’s history. It features several mosques and or to simply spend their free time in a lively place. handmade carpets are the most exciting parts of dowry buy- religious schools that used to play an important role in ed- Bring on your camera and capture the everyday life of lo- ing for Iranians, expect to see a lot of bride-to-be ladies in Visiting bazaars is an integral part of every traveler’s ucating people in the old times. cals in this bazaar. this sections of Tabriz historic bazaar.