A Colourful Mix
Grand Bazaar
Set on Istanbul's Second Hill right behind Beyazit Square, the Grand Bazaar (Kapalıçarşı in Turkish) was constructed during the reign of Sultan Mehmet II. Although it was destroyed several times by fire, it is one of the oldest and largest markets in the world with nearly 60 frantically busy streets that owe their names come to the various guilds that have been working or trading in these same locations for centuries; a colourful melange of jewellers, goldsmiths, silversmiths, shoemakers, and furniture-dealers. Many streets would host small urban hotels, known as hans, or bedestens, coveted markets with rooms, opening out on a central courtyard. This is where traders could store their goods and stay the night and some of the original structures still survive until today.
As seen on
Istanbul City Tour: The Queen of Bosporus
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