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ISTANBUL
BAZAARS |
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Shopping in Istanbul is often a huge part of
any visit, and the city’s famous historical
bazaars offer a wonderful insight into city
life. Whether shopping for carpets, spices,
vegetables or clothes, the process of making
your purchase is likely to be enhanced by
the atmosphere of wandering through the
crowded stalls - and of course haggling.Bazaars
in Istanbul As usual when bargaining with
persuasive shop owners, have an idea of a
good price before you start.
GRAND BAZAAR
The oldest and biggest closed bazaar in the
world, also known as the Grand Bazaar, has
around 4000 shops and over 60 alleyway,
covering a huge labyrinth in the city centre.
Grand Bazaar The original two structures,
covered with a series of domes and remains
of the 15th century walls, became a shopping
area by covering the surrounding streets and
adding to it over the following centuries.In
Ottoman times this was the centre of trading,
and a vital area of town. The Sandal
Bedesten was added during Suleyman’s reign,
to cope with the rising trade in fabrics,
during the 16th century.
Traditionally the more valuable goods were
in the old central area, called Ic Bedesten,
because it was more secure. Grand Bazaar As
quite typical of the area, most streets are
laid out and devoted to a particular trade,
for example gold on Kuyumcular Caddesi,
leather on Bodrum Han, and shoes on Kavaflar
Sokak. But the trade has also spilled out
onto the surrounding streets, and it is very
common to see Russian traders buying up huge
sacks of leather jackets or shoes outside
the main entrance. Grand Bazaar Istanbul
Even the streets leading to the Golden Horn
are lined with outdoor stalls, which have
traditionally been controlled by strict
trading laws to reduce competition between
traders.
Istanbul Grand Bazaar Apart from the usual
shops selling clothes, textiles, jewellry
and carpets, there are small workshops where
craftsmen cast and beat silver or brass, in
a skilled trade handed down through the
generations. If all that shopping,
bargaining and fending off persuasive
salesmen is a little too tiring, there are
also traditional cafes dotted inside the
bazaar in which to relax, eat and sip tea.
There are also money-changing booths inside
and out. It is slightly less crowded during
weekdays, as most locals shop at weekends.
EGYPTIAN BAZAAR
Also known as the Spice Market, this is
Istanbul’s second bazaar, constructed in the
same complex as Yeni Camii (or New Mosque).
In Egyptian Bazaar Istanbul There are six
gates,
which make it an attractive exterior. The L-shaped
market, together with the mosque, were built
for the mother of Mehmet IV, a powerful
woman who ruled the harem and, some would
say, much of the empire.Although no longer
the prime spice trading area of the city,
there is still the aroma of ginger, cardamom,
pepper and saffron from the piles of spices
sold from many stalls.Egyptian Bazaar These
days it is also popular for great varieties
of lokum (turkish delight), small souvenirs,
flavoured teas and local delicacies –
including the dubious sounding “Turkish
Viagra”. Locals come here to shop for bed
linen and towels, as well as for fruit and
vegetables, coffee, clothes, pots and pans
in the surrounding cramped backstreets.
Outside the Egyptian Bazaar Istanbul on the
Galata Bridge end, is this is the best place
to choose olives from huge barrels, and many
varieties of beyaz peynir (white cheese).
COPPER SMITHS BAZAAR
Lesser known and smaller, but nonetheless
just as interesting is this market in
Beyazit, under the north and east walls of
Istanbul University. Copper is beaten and
produced into many shapes, sizes and forms,
and shops sell cauldrons, saucepans, buckets,
candlesticks and the like.
FLEA MARKETS
Away from the classical, historical markets
which have always attracted tourists, there
are many flea and street markets around the
city, usually consisting of streets of junk
shops. As usual, getting a real quality
bargain is often down to luck, but it is
still an interesting way to shop.
Cukurcuma Sokak is the central point of
streets of shops selling old wooden
furniture, antiques, and books, near the
Galatasaray Hamam off Istiklal Caddesi.
Uskudar’s Bit Pazari is on Buyuk Hama Sokak,
and in Kadikoy, Ozelli Sokak sells mainly
furniture. Horhor market, behind Aksaray
mosque, is famous for antiques, selling rare
Ottoman furniture. The Entel, or
Intellectual Market in Ortakoy sells arts,
craft and antiques, music cassettes and
books, and is open every Sunday and usually
very crowded.Besiktas Pazar is open every
Sunday, a warren of streets near Sair Nedim
Caddesi, sells bargain clothes. Terkoz
Cikmaz, next to the Pasabahce glass store
off Istiklal Caddesi, has bargain designer
clothes, factory seconds or overruns from
France, England and Germany at rock-bottom
prices. Sahaflar Carsisi is near a flea
market, and specialises in second hand books
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