Khoy Bazaar

🕰️When was it built?

The bazaar survives from the Safavid period, and much of the present building took shape in the early Qajar era. Parts of it are linked to the names of Amir Ahmad Khan Donboli and Abbas Mirza. The bazaar complex was added to Iran's National Heritage List in 1987.

🏛️What was it built for?

Khoy lay on the Silk Road, and its bazaar was a place for trade and moving goods. Lanes grew up for different guilds, and the sarais and caravanserais were used for unloading, trade and lodging merchants. Passages and crossings link these spaces together.

👀What you will see

• The main lane leads off into side lanes, passages and sarais, and some crossings have decorative brickwork.
• Lanes of goldsmiths, coppersmiths, carpet sellers, nut sellers and saddlers show how the bazaar is divided by guild.
• The Khan Caravanserai on the west side of the bazaar had four iwans, of which the north and east ones survive.
• The wooden entrance of the Khan Caravanserai faces Taleghani Street, and its upper floor has a wooden balcony.

🎒Good to know before you go

• Enter the bazaar area from the Stone Gate of Khoy and follow the main lane on to the side passages and sarais.