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The Grand Bazaar
(Kapalicarsi in Turkish) is
one of the oldest and
largest covered markets in
the world. It was built of
wood after the Conquest of
Istanbul around an old
Byzantine building which
became the part of Old
Bedesten (Old Bazaar) today,
and got bigger and larger
throughout the centuries
with the addition of new
sections and inns. The
Bazaar initially consisted
of two warehouses only,
known as Inner Bedesten and
Sandal Bedesten. Later on
open streets were covered
with doomed roofs, and
separate buildings connected
to each other. Today it
covers an area of
approximately 31thousand
square meters with its over
3000 shops (some even say
4000), 17 inns (Han), 61
streets, over 20thousand
employees, 4 fountains, 10
wells, 2 mosques, several
cafes and restaurants,
change offices, a police
station, and 22 gates. It
resembles a giant labyrinth
and can be a little
complicated for the first
time visitor, but after a
couple of visits there you
can familiarize with it
because streets are arranged
almost on a grid plan, and
shops tend to group
themselves according to the
type of goods they sell.
The old wooden Grand Bazaar
built by Mehmet II suffered
several fires and
earthquakes during centuries
but has always been repaired
after each disaster. Last
restorations were made after
a big fire in the
mid-fifties when it was
finally made of stone.
During
Ottoman times all kinds
of jewelry, fabrics,
weaponry and antiques were
sold by merchants,
unfortunately today quilt
makers, slipper makers,
turban and fez makers do not
exists anymore. Today it's a
heaven for shoppers with its
traditional shops and goods.
There are thousands of
things you can find and buy
in the Grand Bazaar, or just
enjoy local people and
Turkish hospitality with
some window shopping. It's
one of the most significant
tourist sites in
Istanbul owing to its
location, architecture,
history and fame. Depending
on the season, between
250-400thousand people visit
the Bazaar everyday.
The Grand Bazaar is open
daily between 09:00-19.00
except on Sundays and during
public or religious
holidays. |
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