History
The bazaar and the city of Sultan Abad (today Arak) were built simultaneously. Although it took a few years for the city to be built but no exact date has been recorded for the establishment of bazaar. As noted in historical texts it took about twenty years for the whole city to be built. Bazaar was built at the same time. The first buildings in Arak bazaar were built in 19th century by the order of the time governor of Arak, Sepahdar Aazm whose name has remained on a mosque and a school One reason to establish this bazaar was the strong economy around Sultan Abad. The high quality of agricultural products in Persian Iraq (Arak) and the world-famousArchitecture
The Arak bazaar Collection is based on a pre-designed plan. Unlike other bazaars here the paths are not free and curved, but routes are geometrically symmetrical. Bazaar with its crossing Alleyways is an example of chess like texture of the ancient city of Sultan Abad. The special architectural design used keeps the inside of bazaar cool in Summer and warm in winter. The two north–south and east–west axis intersect at a place called chahar soogh (four bazaars). There is a small stone pool right at this junction. The area of the bazar complex sums up to 14 Acres. The buildings in this bazaar are mainly made of bricks. Gypsum and lime have also been used. Wooden joists in clay have made the buildings stronger. Sheets of copper and lead are used in columns’ bases.Unique features
The Bazaar has two east–west and north–south routs which end to four gates of the ancient city, meaning that the at that time the entrance to the city was at Chahar Soogh in bazar. Passages inside are made so that in case of any accident, fire in particular, the crowd can quickly get out and disperse.Functions
Economic- Bazaar of Arak like all other bazaars in Iran is a main center for storing goods and for economic exchanges. The baazar in Arak is now finding its way in internal and global trades. Export of commodities produced in Iran such as dried fruit, handicrafts and handmade carpets, are also done in bazaars. Social – Bazaar is a place that different social and ethnic groups meet and influence on each other. Bazaar is a place for buyer and seller get together which sometimes leads to the formation of the system ofWater reservoir
The Bazaar of Arak used to contain a 200-year-old water reservoir. It was demolished by Arak's municipality to make room for a new school. This reservoir with its special double ceiling was one of the rare buildings in Iran.References
{{Reflist, 2 World Heritage Sites in Iran Iranian art Architecture in Iran Islamic architecture architecture Buildings and structures in Markazi Province