Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Transport
38
Aram Safar
D3
39
City Bus 110 to Valiasr
C3
40
City Bus 111, 132
C3
41
City Bus 136 to Airport
C2
42
City Bus 160 to Bus Terminal
C3
Khoshrah
(see 44)
43
Khosrowshahr Terminal (for Osku)
B3
44
Mihan Safar
D3
45
Seiro Safar
C3
Shuttle Taxis to Abaresan Crossing
(see 45)
Shuttle Taxis to Abaresan Crossing
(see 33)
46
Shuttle Taxis to Bus Terminal
C3
BAZAAR
The magnificent, labyrinthine
covered bazaar
covers some 7 sq km with 24 separate
caravanserais and 22 impressive
timchehs
(domed halls). Construction began over a mil-
lennium ago, though much of the fine brick vaulting is 15th century. Upon entering one
feels like a launched pinball, bouncing around through an extraordinary colourful maze,
only emerging when chance or carelessness dictates. It is a Unesco World Heritage Site.
There are several
carpet
sections, according to knot-size and type. The spice bazaar has
a few shops still selling
herbal remedies
and
natural perfumes
. A couple of
hat shops
(Bazaar Kolahdozan)
sell traditional
papakh
(Azari hats, from US$12) made of tight-
curled astrakhan wool. The better the quality, the younger the lamb sacrificed to the mil-
liner's art. Other quarters specialise in gold, shoes and general household goods.
For such a huge construction, the bazaar is surprisingly easy to miss. A useful entrance
is the second narrow passage east of the tourist information office. This takes you into the
jewellery section.
AROUND THE BAZAAR
At the bazaar's western end an exit passage hidden by a curtain leads to Tabriz's
Masjed-
e Jameh
(Jameh Mosque) with a magnificent brick-vaulted interior. Beyond, an alley
between two multistage new minarets emerges at Motahhari St opposite the heavy
wooden door (no English sign) of the 1868
Constitution House
(Mashrutiyat Museum;
521 6454; Motahhari St; admission US$0.50; 8am-5pm Sat-Thu, 9am-1pm Fri)
.