In Turkey, such places as bazaars are popular, there are quite a lot of them, they are all different, but they are united by only one thing – noise and fun.
After all, you can go to the bazaar not only for shopping, but also to feel the atmosphere itself.
Today we will talk about one of the most popular tourist bazaars – the Grand Bazaar. The exact address of Beyazıt Bazaar, Kalpakçılar Cd. No:22, 34126 Fatih/Istanbul. After you enter the name or address in the maps, it will be easy for you to find it.
The history of the Grand Bazaar
The construction of the bazaar began under Sultan Mehmed II the Conqueror immediately after the capture of Constantinople in 1453 on the basis of the markets of the Byzantine capital. By order of the Sultan, two bedestans were erected, around which a market began to form. In the following years, Kapaly-charshi was repeatedly rebuilt and expanded. After the earthquake of 1894, its large-scale reconstruction was carried out.
The oldest buildings of the market are located in the center of the complex old (tour. Sahaflarbedesteni) and sandalwood (tour. Sandalbedesteni) bedestans with vaulted and domed ceilings.
There are a total of 18 gates in Kapaly-charshi, among which the most notable are the central gate “Nuruosmaniye” located next to Chamberlitash Square, on which there is an inscription “God has mercy on those who devote themselves to trade” and the gate “Beyazit” located next to Beyazit Square.
What to buy in this Bazaar?
The range of goods at the Grand Bazaar is dizzying: clothes, scarves and hats, gold, silver, hookahs, carpets, unique lamps, bags, shoes, antiques, musical instruments… And there is also a wide variety of food, spices in huge bags, oriental sweets and any drinks. It is impossible to list everything, as well as to inspect it at one time. But it is worth considering that branded items and fakes can share one shelf here, and only the price will open the veil of truth to an attentive buyer.
In other words, shopping at the Grand Bazaar in Istanbul is both an exciting and useful process.
You can read this article in Russian language: Гранд базар- один из самых популярных рынков в Стамбуле
