The Grand Bazaar of Tehran, located on Panzdah-e Khordad Street, is one of the city’s most famous landmarks. Dating back to the Safavid and Qajar eras, it has been a hub for commerce, culture, and social life for centuries.
The bazaar was already active during the Safavid era and was later covered with roofs under Naser al-Din Shah Qajar. During the Constitutional Revolution, merchants gathered at the Imam Mosque to support social and political movements.
Important Qajar-era sections include Kafashan Bazaar, Abbas Abad Bazaar, Zargarha Bazaar, Chaharsuq-e Bozorg, Ahangaran Market, and Mesgaran Market.
The bazaar features narrow corridors, arches, domes, and vaults, typical of traditional Iranian markets. Roofed areas were added over time, along with coffee houses, baths, mosques, Zorkhaneh, and taverns.
A highlight is Chaharsuq-e Bozorg, an octagonal hall from 1807 with a short circular dome decorated with plasterwork. Preserved old sections include Amir Bazaar, Chaharsuq-e Bozorg, and Sabze-Meydan.
Sabze-Meydan:
The northern part of the bazaar sells carpets, home goods, food, and jewelry. The name comes from “Sabzi” (vegetables) because vegetables were once grown here.
Jameh Mosque:
Tehran’s oldest mosque, featuring seven prayer halls (shabestans) and a pool.
Malek House:
A historic Qajar-era house formerly owned by Haj Hossein Agha Malek, a wealthy merchant.
Tehran Church:
Also called Saints Thaddeus and Bartholomew Church, built in the Zand period with a courtyard, hall, and traditional layout similar to churches in Isfahan.
Shahid Chamran House Museum:
The childhood home of Dr. Chamran is now a museum displaying his belongings and paintings.
Saturday to Wednesday: 8:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. (external areas open until 8:00 p.m.)
Thursday: internal shops close at 2:00 p.m., external shops close at 5:00 p.m.
For more information about the Grand Bazaar of Tehran, see the Lonely Planet guide and the Wikipedia page.
