Historical Significance: The Turkish Grand Bazaar boasts a rich history dating back to the 15th century. As one of the oldest and largest covered markets in the world, it has witnessed centuries of cultural exchange and trade.
Built around 1461 by Fatih Sultan Mehmet to help build the economy and support the nearby Hagia Sophia Grand Mosque (another must-see in the city), the Grand Bazaar is one of the world's oldest and largest covered markets.
The Grand Bazaar was commissioned by Mehmet II (1444-1481) immediately after the Ottoman conquest of Istanbul in 1453 to provide financial resources for the Hagia Sophia. The construction of the Grand Bazaar began in 1461.
In the Ottoman Empire, the bazaars were considered among the mast important places in a city. Here the appearance of people from various levels reflected the pluralistic side of the Ottoman society.
Historical records document the concept of a bazaar existing in Iran as early as 3000 BCE, where some large cities contained districts dedicated to trade and commerce. Archeological data also suggests the existence of market districts in ancient Mesopotamia.
The Grand Bazaar (Kapalı Çarşı), built in the 15th century, is the oldest covered market in the world. The Grand Bazaar in Istanbul is one of the largest and oldest covered markets in the world, with 61 covered streets and over 4,000 shops which attract between 250,000 and 400,000 visitors daily.
Why was the Grand Bazaar significant under the Ottomans?
At its prime, the Grand Bazaar was the center of trade for the entire Ottoman Empire, guarded by a hundred soldiers like a fortified castle. By the 1950s, the Grand Bazaar had 4,000 shops, bursting with everything from jewelry to silk and traditional copperware to exotic imports.
Why is the Grand Bazaar a reflection of Turkish culture?
The Grand Bazaar is still an important symbol of national identity, an international competition area, and the place where the country's economy is kept. As you can understand, the Grand Bazaar is an expression of power in every way.
This bazaar was first built by Sultan Mehmet the Conqueror and was expanded during the reign of Sultan Süleyman the Great (! 520-1566), and reached its present form in 1701. Its extends over 65 streets, covering an area of 30.702 square meters.
Let this list of Istanbul souvenir shopping ideas help you on your bargain hunting adventures at one of the world's largest and oldest covered markets.
It was Istanbul's Grand Bazaar… Huge it is – more than 30,000 square meters: If Wikipedia is to be believed, the bazaar is home to more than 4000 shops/stalls (!), all interconnected/intertwined in a labyrinth of 60+ narrow streets.
Turkey is a breathtaking place for people who wish to see stunning architecture and empires. The mesmerising beauty, mouth-watering delicacies, and vibrant and rich culture here attract people from all around the globe. Turkey is a must-visit place, but it is a large country with so many things to offer.
A bazaar is a marketplace or assemblage of shops where a wide variety of goods and services are displayed for trade. "Bazaar" is derived from the Persian word for "market," and many believe that the bazaar is one of the most important landmarks of Persian civilization.
It depends on where you're travelling to but most regions in Turkey are safe and tourist-friendly. However, the Foreign Office currently advises against all travel to within 10km of the border with Syria, and all but essential travel to the Sirnak and Hakkari provinces.
Because of its strategic location, Istanbul was central to the region's trade routes, which linked Europe, Iran, the Arabian peninsula, the Horn of Africa, the Caucasus, the Russian steppe, the Balkans, and the Mediterranean Basin.
Nevertheless, Turks are generally united by a strong national identity (see National Identity and Kemalism below). They also share certain core cultural values, such as a sense of honour, hospitality and neighbourliness.
Istanbul is the largest city in Turkey, constituting the country's economic, cultural, and historical heart. Its commercial and historical centre lies in the European part of Eurasia, while about a third of its population lives in the Asian part.
The Grand Bazaar (Turkish: Kapalıçarşı, meaning 'Covered Market'; also Büyük Çarşı, meaning 'Grand Market') in Istanbul is one of the largest and oldest covered markets in the world, with 61 covered streets and over 4,000 shops on a total area of 30,700 m2, attracting between 250,000 and 400,000 visitors daily.
Trade, agriculture, transportation, and religion make up the Ottoman Empire's economy. The Ottomans saw military expansion of currency, more emphasis on manufacturing and industry in the wealth-power-wealth equation, and moving towards capitalist economics comprising expanding industries and markets.
The empire's success lay in its centralized structure as much as its territory: Control of some of the world's most lucrative trade routes led to vast wealth, while its impeccably organized military system led to military might.
Istanbul has always been known for its silk and leather products. There is also a traditional felt-making tradition, which today produces many highly contemporary fashion items, particularly slippers and hats.
bazaar, originally, a public market district of a Persian town. From Persia the term spread to Arabia (the Arabic word sūq is synonymous), Turkey, and North Africa.
bazar. / (bəˈzɑː) / noun. (esp in the Orient) a market area, esp a street of small stalls. a sale in aid of charity, esp of miscellaneous secondhand or handmade articles.
