Restoration complete at Qaysari Bazaar, one year after massive fire

ERBIL — Authorities have completed restoration work at Erbil’s Qaysari Bazaar one year after a devastating fire damaged parts of the historic market. Shops are now set to be returned to their owners, with business expected to resume soon, officials said.

The Erbil governorate announced the completion of the project’s second phase, which focused on the market’s traditional section. Officials said the area was rebuilt with updated designs reflecting the site’s historic architecture.

The fire destroyed 227 shops and seven warehouses, prompting a large-scale restoration effort funded by the Erbil governorate at a cost of 5.3 billion dinars (about $3.6 million). Officials said the project prioritized both reconstruction and preservation of the bazaar’s architectural identity.

The Qaysari fire was one of several major market blazes in Erbil last year. On Feb. 27, 2024, a fire at Langa Market destroyed 185 shops, with losses estimated at 6.75 billion dinars ($5.15 million). Another fire struck the same market two months later.

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