Retail space of Derbent

Derbent has long been known for its trade relations. Almost everywhere in the city, trade was conducted with imported goods as well as products made by local craftsmen and producers. Many of the active markets have been preserved near the fortress walls of the city to this day. One of the historical trading places was the square in the upper part of the city. The residents of the densely populated magals deliberately did not use this area so that trading places would be located directly in the historic part of the city for their convenience.

Derbent has long been known for its trade relations. Almost everywhere in the city, trade was conducted with imported goods as well as products from local craftsmen and manufacturers. Many of the active markets have been preserved near the city’s fortress walls to this day. One of the historical trading places was the square in the upper part of the city. The residents of the densely populated mahallas deliberately did not use this area so that trading spots would be located directly in the historic part of the city for their convenience. The old trading square is located near the Kilisa Mosque. This was once the commercial center of medieval Derbent. The square had many different trading rows and craft workshops. The trading square is notable because in 1466 the famous Tver merchant Afanasy Nikitin, author of the travel notes "Journey Beyond Three Seas," visited here. On the square is one of the city’s ancient baths, the “Old Eastern Bath (men’s), 8th century,” and the architectural monument “Kilisa Mosque, 11th century.” Three caravanserais opened onto the square. On the southern side of the trading square was formerly the largest caravanserai in the city, which is clearly visible in the drawings of Derbent by Olearius (1638) and Sergeev (1796). Currently, the caravanserais have not been preserved. The square is paved with shell limestone stones of various sizes, and the stone is in good condition. To the north, the square borders the Kilisa Mosque; to the east, a private residence; to the south, a road and a private house; and to the west, the boundary of the monument is the Old Eastern Men’s Bath.

Source:

https://derbentmuseum.ru/monuments/torgovaya-ploshhad-u-kilisa-mecheti/

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