SOUK AL MARKAZI OR CENTRAL BLUE SOUQ

The Al Markazi souk, whose name translates as central souq, is as blue as its ornamental earthenware and as vast as Sharjah's commercial tropism. The Central Souq was born in 1979, when it was realized 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 Qasimi, it was designed by British architects Michael Lyle&Partners. Comprising two identical buildings, easily recognizable by the 20 wind towers that dominate them and linked by pedestrian bridges, it follows the codes of traditional bazaars. You can admire the medallions on the outside, inscribed with Koranic texts. The initiative was so successful that the central bank immediately decided to place the souk motif on five-dirham banknotes. Over the 80,000 square meters and 600 stalls, you'll discover every imaginable piece of bimbeloterie, gold and silver jewelry, including some from Yemen, a number of antiques, perfumes, including the traditional oud, and beautiful Persian and Afghan carpets. More than forty years after its grand opening, the center is mainly manned by shopkeepers from the Indian subcontinent in search of tourists or the rare "old-timers" who have come to have a dishdasha carved. Crossing Arouba Street, you reach the fish market and then the fruit and vegetable souk, best visited in the morning.