In the Real Persian Markets

We walked through a number of bustling markets in Iran. Lots of people and great variety in the goods and services offered. Often sellers of a particular item—like pounded copper or gold jewelry or kitchen equipment or spices—would be in the same market location.

Hamadan

Members of our group bought scarves which were part of our required attire.

A fellow in a bread shop, proudly showing us the end result. Reza, our guide, bought us some, fresh out of the oven. So good.











Zanjan

Men selling small green sour plums, along with fruit you recognize.









Tabriz

Arched ceilings enclose many of the markets we visited.

Shops selling wedding accoutrement, including shoes and sugar cones which are rubbed together at the end of the ceremony to sprinkle the newly weds with sweetness for years ahead.





Mashhad

The market in Mashhad primarily caters to the pilgrims from all over the country visiting the shrine of Imam Reza, the eighth imam of the Shi'a Muslims. He is the only one buried in Iran. Lots of trinkets and a profusion of black fabrics.

Also rows of male mannequins. Very strange I thought.









Shiraz

Shops in Shiraz sell very brightly colored cloth in contrast to the shops in Mashhad. Nomads living in the area wear incredibly sparkly dresses.

Esfahan

There are a number of artists and artisans practicing traditional crafts in Esfahan's market. I’m going to devote a post to them later on. Here I want you to admire the various food shops: strawberries brought into the market in a wheelbarrow, greens and spices, and beautiful vegetables.