Voyagers Market
This complex is effectively the southern terminus for commerce along the Great North Road. The complex consists of four long narrow buildings built around a central square. The inner side of each building has a roof extending out some 20' to form the open air portion of the market. The buildings are made of the same baked mud brick the typifies the city. A corridor lined by large windows covered with grates and fitted with heavy wooden shutters lines the outer side of the complex. Each building is some 300' long and 30' long with an additional 20' added by the open air section. Each shop has 20' of frontage along the interior corridor and has a 20' by 20' open air extension. The second level is divided into 20' by 30' sections accessible from the ship below by a stairway and a trapdoor typically fitted with a block and tackle. The upstairs space is used as offices, workshops and storage for the shop owners.
Purpose / Function
This complex serves as both a wholesale and retail market for good traded along the Great North Road.
History
The complex was constructed as a cooperative venture by a number of merchant houses involved in the northern trade. Not only did this facilitate trade by these merchant houses, but they were also able to make considerable revenue from the rents paid by toher merchants they wished to use the complex. Initially one of the four halls was built. Such was it's success that the owners quickly bought up a number of old warehouses backing onto the market and demolished them to erect additional market halls. Within 20 years of the initial phase of construction, the entire complex had been completed.
Founding Date
722
Parent Location
Comments