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Historic Rasht bazaar suffers devastating losses, restoration unlikely
The blaze, which engulfed the 24-hectare market, has been described as a “catastrophe” by cultural heritage officials.
According to Alireza Izadi, Director-General of the Office of Registration of Historical Monuments and Cultural Heritage at the Ministry of Cultural Heritage, Tourism and Handicrafts, the damage is extensive.
“The situation in Rasht historic bazaar is an absolute catastrophe,” Izadi told the ILNA after a recent assessment of the damage.
“Three historic caravanserais, the Small Taq (arch), the Large Taq, and the Malek Caravanserai, have been completely consumed by the fire.”
The historic bazaar, a sprawling complex of interconnected courtyards, squares, and caravanserais dating back to the Qajar and early Pahlavi periods, is a significant tourist attraction.
The Taq structures, the Moshtasham Caravanserai, the Chinese Bazaar, the Malek Caravanserai, the Golshan Caravanserai, and the Qeysariyeh Caravanserai were among the bazaar’s most treasured landmarks. The Malek Caravanserai, in particular, played a vital role in the export of rice to Russia and silk to Kashan and Yazd during the Qajar era.
Izadi stated that the intensity of the fire in certain sections of the bazaar rendered restoration impossible. “Unfortunately, in some parts of the historic bazaar and within the aforementioned caravanserais, the intensity of the fire was such that restoration of these complexes is not possible. These structures will need to be entirely rebuilt.”
The bazaar has a history of destruction, having previously been ravaged by fire during the reigns of Karim Khan Zand and Agha Mohammad Khan Qajar, as well as by earthquakes and negligence. “The bazaar has seen many incidents throughout history,” Izadi noted.
“It has been set ablaze by the soldiers of Karim Khan Zand and looted by the soldiers of Agha Mohammad Khan Qajar. Earthquakes and carelessness have also repeatedly led to the destruction and burning of Rasht bazaar, to the point where shops, mosques, and even historic churches have been completely destroyed.”
The ministry is currently compiling a comprehensive report on the damage to historical sites across the country resulting from the recent unrest.
“Last week, we requested all provinces to report the extent of damage to historical monuments and structures during the recent events,” Izadi added.