The Urban Situation and Architecture of the Historical Market of Zanjan

As one of the largest markets in Iran and the most important socio-economic center of Zanjan province and in the shape of a beating heart in the old urban context, Zanjan market has played a privileged role in organizing the livelihood and religious affairs of the local people. Although the performance of this important part of the historical context has changed sometimes due to unavoidable social reasons and sometimes due to the imprudence of the planners of different urban eras and cultural and social transformations, but still apart from the significant number of urban dwellers, a large number of residents and villages around Zanjan have also benefited from its diverse and continuous services. The building mass and existing spaces, the existence of hierarchy and spatial structure, from the main streets to the public buildings in the vicinity of the streets, including mosques, baths, water reservoirs, houses and shopping centers (Timcheh), and the function of the market from the Qajar era to today are the characteristics of this valuable national work. Further, the effects of modern urban developments are well evident in the transformation of part of the functions of the old market. In this way, Zanjan market can be considered as one of the most alive and dynamic traditional markets in the world, which has preserved its vitality and life in interaction with contemporary urban developments and modernity.