Geometric Documentation and Structural Analysis of Char-Suq Intersection Spaces: The Case of Sadik-Iye Char-Suq in Tabriz Historical Bazaar

İngilizce (OpenAlex)

The Tabriz Historical Covered Bazaar, situated on the Silk Road, is one of the most significant ancient structures in Islamic and Middle Eastern architecture and art. Designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2010, the bazaar is among the oldest examples of its kind, featuring inns, caravanserais, mosques, baths, and madrasahs interconnected by wide arches, brick vaults, and open courtyards. The layout evolved organically around crossroads Char-suq structures, which serve as focal elements. The Sadık-iye Char-suq, located at the center of Tabriz Historical Covered Bazaar, is examined in this study with respect to its structural, spatial, visual, functional, and historical aspects. This research employs a descriptive model as a quantitative research method to explain the architectural features of Sadık-iye Char-suq, a defining element in the irregular, organically developed bazaar plan. The methodology comprises three stages: first, on-site observations documented visual and functional data; second, a comprehensive survey using the triangulation method enabled the creation of plans, sections, and 3D models, from which structural and spatial data were obtained; finally, field findings were compared with previous studies and historical documents to explain the structure's historical development phases through graphic visuals. The results demonstrate how crossroads structures impact architectural design and building systems within irregular market plans. The study reveals that, despite the organic development of the bazaar's arastas, the Sadık-iye Char-suq was systematically designed with an octagonal plan, incorporating columns, arches, and vaults, with the non-orthogonal intersection angles of connecting passages aligned with the plan. This systematic approach within an organic framework establishes the Char-suq as both a functional circulation node and a structural solution that maintains the bazaar's spatial continuity.