SOUK AL MARKAZI OR CENTRAL BLUE SOUQ

The Al Markazi souk, whose name translates as Central Souq, is blue like its ornamental earthenware and vast like Sharjah's commercial tropism. The Central Souq was born in 1979, when it was realised that there was not a single traditional market left in the Emirates. Under the authority of the Sheikh of Sharjah, Dr. Sultan bin Mohammed Al Quasimi, it was designed by the British architects Michael Lyle&Partners. Composed of two identical buildings, easily recognizable with the 20 wind towers that dominate them and linked by pedestrian bridges, it follows the codes of traditional bazaars. One can admire the exterior medallions on which are inscribed Koranic texts. The initiative was so successful that the central bank immediately decided to place the design of the souk on five-dirham notes. Over the 80,000 square metres and 600 stalls, you will discover all the bimbeloterie imaginable, gold and silver jewellery, some of which comes from Yemen, a few second-hand objects, perfumes, including the traditional oud, and beautiful Persian and Afghan rugs. More than forty years after its grand opening, the centre is mainly run by shopkeepers from the Indian subcontinent in search of tourists or rare "old-timers" who have come to have a dishdasha cut. Crossing Arouba Street, one reaches the fish market and then the fruit and vegetable souk, to be visited especially in the morning.