Grand Bazaar
From Turkey Travel Guide
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[edit] History
The bazaar was built by Sultan Mehmet the Conquerer in the mid 1400s. It originally consisted of the inner or Cevahir Bedesten (bedesten being a place where cloth was sold), and later the Sandal Bedesten, named after a type of soft cloth sold there was added. The bedestens also functioned as banks, securing jewels, gold, weapons, and other valuables for wealthy merchants and other residents. The bazaar was expanded greatly under Sultan Suleyman the Magnificent in the next century.
It had to be restored in 1894 because of earthquake damage, but because the importation of manufactured cloth from Europe had begun, the trade in the bedestens had decreased. The banking function also decreased as major banks opened branches inside the Grand Bazaar. In 1914, the city took over the Sandal Bedesten, turning it into an auction house, but this was discontinued.
Today, the Grand Bazaar is the biggest covered market in the world and thought to be the oldest bank. It has over 3,000 shops is visited by between 250,000 and 400,000 customers every day. Almost a hundred products are sold there, including carpets, leather products, silver, gold, ceramics, textiles, souvenirs, copper, marble, purses, kilims, and fabrics.
[edit] Visitor's Guide
Visitors will inevitably get lost, but wandering around is half the adventure. Most people will enter through the Kürkçüler Gate of Tavuk Pazari Caddesi. A block north of this is the Sandal Bedesten. North of that is the Çuhaci Han, one of the many caravansaries here. Two blocks northwest is the Cevahir Bedesten, or Old Bazaar. Today it houses the jewelry sellers and dealers in antique coins.
North of the Old Bazaar on Kuyumcular Caddesi is the Oriental kiosk. North of it is the Zincirli Han, specializing in custom made jewelry. East of the Old Bazaar, on Takkeciler Sokak, are two of the several fountains found in the bazaar. On the northern end of Yaglikcalar Caddesi (begins Sipahi Sokak) are most of the old Hans, caravansaries. At the southern end of Sipahi Sokak is another fountain and an old book bazaar just south of the Çarsi gate.
The salesmen here are pushy and used to tourists. Working for commission, they can appear be very friendly and are manipulative, so feel free to walk away. It is impossible to talk to everyone who will approach you here. Never buy anything without bargaining, and know that most souvenirs can be bought elsewhere for less. You certainly won't find any bargain antiques. It is customary to greet customers with a drink, and this doesn't obligate a purchase. Still, with all this in mind, it can be a fun place to poke around for a few hours.[1]
[edit] Getting there
The European side tram stops directly in front at the Beyazit/Grand Bazaar station. Otherwise it is within walking distance from the Blue Mosque and Aya Sofia by heading west on Divan Yolu Caddesi, the street with the tram.
[edit] Eat & Drink
There are plenty of cafes and tea gardens inside the Grand Bazaar. Some choices are:
Kara Mehmet Kebap Salonu (Iç Cebeci Han No: 92) has a great, quieter location in the Cebeci Han, where rugs are prepared, and offers a different look at the bazaar. All possible kinds of kebaps are on offer, and expertly grilled.
Gaziantep Burç Ocakbasi (Parçacilar Sok. No: 12) serves the admired Gaziantep cuisine. It's small and in an alley, but with lots of atmosphere.
Havuzlu(Gani Çelebi Sokak No: 3) The only traditional sit-down restaurant in the Grand Bazaar is housed in a 500 year old dining hall. It serves typical Turkish cuisine, and is an excellent choice for vegetarians, because the food is on display for diners to choose. Ask Etsiz mi?, Is it meatless? to check.
[edit] External links
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