08/01/2010

The largest roofed structure in the world named by UNESCO as World Heritage site

The UN World Heritage Committee has registered Iran's Sheikh Safi Shrine and the Tabriz Historic Bazaar Complex on the UNESCO World Heritage List.

The United Nations agency tasked with preserving humanity's cultural heritage added a selection of new sites situated in various countries around the globe to its World Heritage List, after deciding that they were of outstanding universal value.

Two structures in Iran are among the approved properties of the list.

Sheikh Safi al-Din Khanegah and its Shrine Ensemble in Ardabil were built between the beginning of the 16th century and the end of the 18th century.

It is a place of spiritual retreat in the Sufi tradition. Iranian traditional architectural is the main point that catches visitors' eyes.

The Iranian architecture maximized the use of available space to accommodate a variety of functions - including a library, a mosque, a school, mausoleum, a cistern, a hospital, kitchens, a bakery, and some offices.

The Tabriz Historic Bazaar Complex has been a place of cultural exchange since antiquity. The bazaar dates backs to at least 9 centuries ago. The historic bazaar complex, the largest roofed structure in the world, is one of the most important commercial centers on the Silk Road. It is consisted of a series of interconnected, covered, brick structures, buildings, and enclosed spaces for different functions.

Located in the center of the city, the Bazaar of Tabriz is one of the oldest bazaars of the Middle East and the largest covered bazar in the world. This spectacular structure consists of several sub-bazaars and has different economic and cultural spaces.

Although numerous modern shops and malls have been established recently, the Bazaar of Tabriz remains the economic heart of the city and northwestern Iran.

Bazaar in Iran is used for some of the important religious ceremonies too. The most famous one is Day of Ashura while merchants cease the trade for about 10 days and religious ceremonies are held inside the Bazaar. Like other bazaars in the Middle East, there are several mosques constructed behind the bazaar.  

"This is the first time that the UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) World Heritage Center selects a ' bazaar' as a valuable cultural heritage," Mohammadi was quoted as saying.

Iran has so far registered twelve historical sites on UNESCO's World Heritage List including Persepolis, Pasargadae and Bisotun.
Tags: tabriz bazaar, sheikh safi al-din