Zistboom:One of the most important reasons for the establishment of Kerman city is its location on the Silk Road. Since long, this city has been one of the important locations that connected West to East and North to South.This feature has had a remarkable influence on the construction and development of markets, such that the citys commercial zones have been expanded to the outskirts of Kerman. As a result, the commercial axis and city plan have been designed based along commercial lines.
The south-north line begins from Old Bazaar to Aziz Bazaar, i.e. starting from Rigabad Gate to the surroundings of Gabri Gate and the east-west line of Kerman Bazaar that begins from Mosque Gate and ends at Arg Square.
In fact, the architectural plan of the commercial axis gave rise to one of the most beautiful Iranian bazaars. Additionally, it provides the most accessible link between the bazaar and the old quarters of the city, UNESCO reported.
Important landmarks
Some of the most important landmarks of Kermans old texture are as follows:
I. The unique complex of Kerman Bazaar is a masterpiece and manifests the creativity of Iranians for several reasons such as being the axis of city structure, comprising four complexes and centrality in different periods.
II. In addition to the valuable features of bazaar and its complexes, Ganj-Ali Khan is a symbol of high human values in Safavid dynasty that contains all features of Naqsh-e Jahan Complex in a smaller scale such as bath, mosque, caravanserai and the most sophisticated and beautiful architectural and art techniques of its own time.
III. Ganj-Ali Khan Ensemble is unique because in contrast to the Safavid tradition that built their ensembles out of the old city, they purchased and destroyed many old buildings in order to construct this complex as it has been located at the intersection of two main lines of the bazaar. Ibrahim Khan Ensemle in Qajar dynasty has been built on the same Safavid architectural model.
IV. The ensembles of Kerman are prominent examples of technical architecture that not only are recognized as the best city landmarks, but also show the maximum utilization of security that was provided in a short period of time.
VI. Kermans Bazaar has been and is the liveliest location in the city. There exist a lot of proverbs about the bazaar and its commodities. It has had a great influence culturally, economically and socially. The bazaar has been built through different periods lasting 1,000 years.
The paintings above the gate of the baths of Ganj-Ali Khan Ensemble show the daily activities in Safavid period. Books, research papers, travel books and bequest paper of Ganj-Ali Khan held by Irans Cultural Heritage, Handicrafts and Tourism Organization are sources related to the antiquity of Kermans Bazaar.
By Zistboom
The Iran Project is not responsible for the content of quoted articles.
