Vakil Complex | Mosques In Iran Are One of the Best Places to Visit

Vakil complex

Karim khan zand was Iranian king who was known by his nice manner and justice. He lived  and ruled at 1770 and nominated Shiraz as his capital and built many structures known by name of Vakil complex and it contains of mosque, bazaar, bathroom.

This complex is one of the best destinations for passengers who want to visit Iran.

Vakil Mosque

Mosques in Iran are one of the best places to visit in Iran. Vakil Mosque is located on the western side of the entrance of Vakil Bazaar. The mosque was built during Zand Dynasty. It was constructed for public use so ordinary people could do their daily religious duties and say their prayers. Different parts of the mosque include the entrance, a corridor, a yard, a large seraglio, a winter seraglio, an altar, an Islamic marble pulpit, two verandas, and a pearl arch.

Unlike most of the mosques in Iran with four iwans, Vakil mosque has only two iwans which are decorated with colorful tiles known as “Seven-colored tiles”. Iwans are located on the northern and southern sides of a large court. The shabestan (prayer hall) covers an area of 2,700 meters square 48 monolithic pillars carved in spirals, each with a capital of acanthus leaves. One of the most interesting items in this mosque is its Menbar which is built out of a solid piece of green marble with 14 steps.

The mosque was renovated in Qajar Dynasty and the plethora of exuberant ornamental floral tile work is mostly their work.

The mosque is open from 8:30 in the morning till 20:30 in spring and summer, and 20:00 in autumn and winter.

Vakil Bazaar

Vakil Bazaar was originally built in the 11th century to make Shiraz a prominent trading center for tourists and merchants as well as locals. It was completed by Atabaks of Fars and renamed after Karim Khan in the 18th century. The bazaar is a roofed bazaar with a gorgeous vaulted brick ceiling that regulates its temperature in different seasons.

Vakil Bazaar was an important trade center during the Zand Dynasty with the whole process occurred at the place, in addition, it was a safe place for merchants to store their goods. Currently, a wide range of shops is available at the bazaar, selling different types of spices, hand-woven carpets, silver works, high-quality leather, and so many other handicrafts.

One of the most interesting section of the bazaar is Saraye Moshir at the center of Vakil Bazaar which is comprised of a series of stores selling handmade jewelry and silverware.

Saraye Moshir

Saraye Moshir (Saraye Golshan) is one of the oldest bazaars in Shiraz which was built under the order of government general of Fars province in Shiraz named Mirza Abolhassan MoshirolMolk in Qajar dynasty.
It connects two “Moshir” and “new Moshir” bazaars to each other.
It was renovated in Pahlavi dynasty to prevent from demolition of its beautiful tilings and colorful windows.
After renovation, when the rooms where rebuilt, they named them “Art house”. Today, these rooms are one of the most important places for presenting Shiraz’s vernacular handicrafts.

Vakil Bath

Vakil bath is the last attraction of the complex, which was built to used by the public. inside the bathhouse there are scenes carved and you can see astounding stucco work. There are some narrow shafts used under the floor to carry hot water vapors and warm air in order to warm up the building.

The bath does not serve people with its original function. However, it is open to the public to visit status dress with traditional attire, which illustrates the process of bath-taking at the time.

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Reference: Wikipedia