The market square is located in the southwestern suburb of the royal residence and is called “Azgar Oghram,” which means “outside the castle.” It was once frequented by trade caravans that came from distant regions, bringing various goods. This square is considered the most important and active market in the region, and it was established in 1884 AD.
The market is almost rectangular in shape, covering an area of about 3,400 square meters. It is surrounded on all sides by passageways with arches of various sizes and shapes, where shops and business stalls are set up.
The streets leading to the square and those nearby serve various commercial and financial functions. In the past, each type of business activity was concentrated in a specific area. For instance, there were Al-Khader Street, Al-Bakallin Street, and Al-Khayateen Street, among others. The market square itself was dedicated to selling goods from outside the region, such as salt, spices, wheat, wool, and livestock.
The market square also once included a “prayer hall,” which was a space designated for prayer, located on the west side, slightly elevated above ground level. On the northwestern side was the “al-Hawita,” which consisted of stones embedded in the ground in a crescent shape with a radius of about five meters. These stones once served as seats for members of the “gathering,” a council of palace notables who would sit and consult on community matters and palace issues.
For the first time since its establishment, the market square was restored and renovated in 1997. This restoration aimed to revive the concept of this historic landmark as a place for gathering and trade.
The renovation addressed all aspects of the square, including the treatment and cladding of the exterior, architectural corrections, maintenance of walls and beams, restoration of damaged parts, and repaving of the floor. The main goal of this restoration was to preserve and enhance the local architectural heritage.
