Kerman Bazaar-e-Bozorg
The Bazaar-e-Bozorg (Grand Bazaar) of Kerman lies between the Arq and Moshtaqiyeh squares of Kerman city. The bazaar comprises of various rows or alleys such as Arg, Ganj Ali Khan, Ekhtiyari, Sardari, Vakil, Attari, Qadam Gah and Mozaffari Alleys. Any part of this bazaar had been constructed during the rules of one of the commander or rulers in this territory. Some of the characteristics of the above Alleys in bazaar are as follows:
Arg Alley
This Alley begins at the Arg Sq. and ends at the crossing of Ganj Ali Khan. This Alley is divided into two parts, known as Naqareh Khaneh and Saraji, a part of the latter is roof-less. In the past this portion thrived but is not so today due to substitution of horse, etc., by vehicles.
Ganj Ali Khan Alley:
This Alley is a remnant of the Safavid era and is located to the north of the Ganj Ali Sq. The historical Ganj Ali bath is also in this vicinity, apart from the shops.
Vakil Alley and Aggregate
The Vakil aggregate Alley is located at the end of the Ekhtiyari Alley and was constructed by Mohammad Esmail Khan Vakil-ol Molk and his son. This Alley comprises of a caravansary, alley, public bath and a mosque. This is a replica of a traditional bazaar alley or Alley, each guild having an appointed location.
Qadam Gah Alley (Raji Kerman)
The said is a part of the Kerman bazaar and the shops to the right side of it are a recent construction, many are boutiques; whereas the shops on the left are from the past. There are 121 shops in this Alley.
Qalleh Alley (Mahmood): This Alley is located in the southern most part of the bazaar of Kerman, and is approximately 500 m. in length. In the past this Alley was an important trading center, though even today the iron mongers are busy with their trade here.
Maidan Qal'eh Alley
This Alley begins in the Imam Khomeini Avenue and ends at the crossing of Ganj Ali Khan. The same has a length of 600 m. and comprises of shops to do with quilt making, carpets, groceries etc.
Attari Alley: This Alley begins at the entrance of the Vakil Alley and terminates opposite the entrannce of the Jame' Mosque, situated in the Qadam Gah Alley. This Alley has about 19 shops.
Mesgari Alley
The same is in the Ganj Ali aggregate and comprises of a west and northern Alleys. The former covers an area of 236.5 sq. m. and the latter 588 sq. m.
Kollah Mali Alley
The same lies between the Mesgari (copper - smiths) and the Kafashan (shoe-makers) Alleys and has 13 shops. This Alley is not of much importance.
Zargari Alley (Qeisariyeh Ebrahim Khan)
This alley is part of the Ebrahim Khan aggregate and has 47 shops. Over 90% of the same are gold- smiths. This alley is secured with wooden doors for added protection.
Kafashan Alley
This Alley begins at the end of the Kollah Mali Alley and terminates in the beginning of the Haj Aqa Ali Alley. This covered alley has over 160 shops and chambers and 95% of these are shoe makers.
Haj Aqa Ali (Rafsanjan)
This alley begins at the end of the Kafashan alley and continues till Shariyati Avenue opposite the Aziz Bazaar. Besides its chambers and caravansary it has 86 shops.
Aziz Alley
The same is in the northern most portion of the bazaar and comprises of 70 shops. This Alley continues till the Gabri Gate-way. There is a Khaneqah or a type of monastery here by the name of Nematollahi.
Hadj Aqa Abdollah (Attarha) Alley
The same is located to the left of the bazaar and comprises of ware houses and work shops, and is in two sections. Its chambers amount to 27 and date back to 1,500 years ago.
Koozehgarha Alley
This Alley is in two floors and is utilized as a warehouse for carpet weaving materials such as wool and cotton. Its entrance has a wooden door which is of interesting design.
Chahar Sooq Ganj Ali Khan-Kerman
In the past this vicinity held great importance in respect to the bazaar, and was considered an axis of the same. At the same time it was a vital area of the city too, and constituted as one of the main cross-road of the city. The internal section of the dome is adorned with plaster work and beautiful paintings from the Safavid era (1005-1034 A.H.). Besides, they display portraits of important personalities of the times. Around the dome are sky-lights to regulate the lighting within.
Maidan Arg Alley (Towhid)
This Alley lies in the west of the bazaar of Kerman, and has approximately 140 shops, the majority of which deal in apparel. Its surrounding facade dates to over a century.
Other Alleys of the bazaar of Kerman are named as the Ekhtiyari, Sardar and Mozaffari Alleys.
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