Farzaneh Shokri
Historical buildings from the Qajar era have become the main attraction for tourists visiting the western province of Zanjan.
Zanjan’s old marketplace (Bazaar), Zolfaqari Palace, Jame’ Seyed Mosque, Lady (Khanom) Mosque, Mir Bahaeddin Bridge, Sardar Bridge are among the examples of Qajar architecture in the city.
Though several ancient buildings are threatened with destruction, the splendor of the ancient architecture has won the admiration of every visitor.
The construction of the traditional marketplace (Bazaar) began in 1834 under the Qajari king, Agha Mohammad Khan and ended under Fath-Ali Shah Qajar.
Several mosques, guesthouses and public baths were added to the compound in 1945.
The marketplace is built in a straight line--upward and downward--and divided into the eastern and western wings.
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Corridors separate the areas according to craftsmanship. For example, the sections reserved for goldsmiths, cloth merchant, hat makers, tinsmith and other crafts are separate from each other.
There are five ancient mosques--Chehelsotoon (40 pillars), Agha Seyed Fathollah, Hojjatoleslam, Jame’ Mosque and Molla Mosque--which have added to the splendid architecture of Zanjan’s marketplace.
An Iran Daily reporter visiting the city cited Zolfaqari Palace as another heritage of Qajar architecture which contributed to the historical identity of Zanjan.
The palace has interior and exterior departments which include administrative sections. It was built in Qajar era before the construction of Zolfaqari Street (modern Taleqani).
Sections of the palace are currently in ruins. Of course, the exterior part of the building remained durable. Zolfaqari Palace was built in two stories. The underground part of the building has water storage facilities and the entire design is based on European Gothic architecture.
Zolfaqari Palace was built in the late Qajar era.
Jame’ Seyed Mosque, which is situated in the heart of the city, is yet another edifice of cultural heritage. It is linked to Qeisarieh market from the west, to an alley from the east to Imam Street from north and Sabze Meidan from south.
Prior to the construction of the modern Imam Street, the Mosque was linked to a square in front of Darol-Hokoumeh (Administrative Building).
The mosque was built by Mirza, the eleventh son of Fath Ali Shah of Qajar when he was the governor of Zanjan.
Lady (Khanom) Mosque was also constructed during the Qajar reign. It is located at Fakhim-oddoleh on present-day Imam Street. It has interesting interior decorations of tiles and brick works.
It has a minaret for Azan (call to prayers at mosque three times a day). There is spiral stairway through which the muezzin, the person who calls people to prayers, goes up to the minaret.
The mosque enjoys unique interior decoration.
Another historical structure, Mir Bahaeddin Bridge, called Pol-e Kohneh (old bridge), was built in the southern part of Zanjan over Zanjan-Roud (river). It has helped villages living on the other side of the river have access to Zanjan.
It is 100 meter long, 6.7 meters wide and 12 high from the surface of the river.
Of course, modern bridge has been built linking Zanjan to cities in Kurdestan province.
Pol-e-Kohneh has decorative arches and was built under Nasser-eddin Shah of Qajar.
In addition Zanjan also boasts of the famous Soltanieh Dome, a cultural heritage structure in the suburbs of Zanjan, which is on UNESCO’s global heritage list."
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