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Grand Bazaar |
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 After
Mehmet II conquered the city of Istanbul, he gave an order to
build two domed stone
masomy structures (known as "bedesten") comprised of exhibition
and sale stands in order to procure funds to restore the Hagia
Sophia and complete it as a mosque. Later, the top of the bazaar
was covered with a tiled and vaulted ceiling.
Thus, the beginning of the covered bazaar, which is undeniably
one of the most significant historical sites of Istanbul, was
formed approximately 550 years ago. New shops quickly surrounded
it, and the newly formed shopping streets were also covered with
tiled and
vaulted ceilings. Hence, the whole area became a center for
shopping. This bazaar, which is located next to the first
Ottoman palace built by Mehmet the Conqueror in Beyazit, was
originally intended to house shops that provided a safe place to
deposit precious stones and goods
of the rich and merchants at the time. Therefore, the oldest
part of the present day covered bazaar was named "Cevahir
Bedesteni", which means the "Jewelry Bedesten." The second
bazaar, which together with the Jewelry Bedesten forms the
historical core of the whole building, houses the shops selling
sandal fabric that is woven with silk and cotton and thus was
named "Sandal Bedesteni". These two bazaars built by Sultan
Mehmet were enlarged considerably during the reign of Süleyman.
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 As
was the case for nearly all of the historical buildings in
Istanbul, the Grand Bazaar was also affected by fires and
earthquakes. The bazaar, which was re-built after each of these
disastrous events, has preserved its dynamic and lively nature
up to the present day.
Artisans fram various vocational groups have sold their
handicrafts on each street of the Grand Bazaar over a long
period of time. Long ago a number of commercial rules were
strictly enforced. As a result, the streets of the covered
bazaar were named after various vocations, such as Fesciler (fez
makers), Terlikciler (slipper makers), Kuyumcular (jewelry
makers). Aynacilar (mirrar makers) or Kalpakcilar (fur cap
makers). |
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 Today, these names are still in use,
but there is no separation of vocations within the bazaar. The
Grand Bazaar is the biggest
jewelry bazaar of the world with its many jewelry and goldsmith
shops. These pretty smail shops sell their goods at changing
prices and they are open to bargaining. This bazaar is the
center of the gold market for Turkey. The bazaar is of great
significance to the Turkish economy, as it is al5l.'me '11ain
center of the free foreign exchange market. Yet, it is not
accurare to view this bazaar as just a place of finance and
jewelry. When the Grand Bazaar became a touist site for foreign
visitors, specifically since the beginning of the 1970s it
turned into a very touristic place in terms of both the goods
offered and the sales techniques used. The world famous handmade
carpets and kilims of Turkey, some of the most beautiful
examples of Turkish silver art, souvenirs and decorations made
of copper and bronze and high quality ceramics, onyx, and
leather goods are for sale. Specifically, jewelry and carpets
are sold with certificates of quality and authenticity. The fact
that bargaining over carpet prices is stil common in the bazaar
should not be read as an exploitative act against customers, but
as a way to preserve the sale and purchasing traditions of the
bazaar. Expensive goods bought in the bazaar can be delivered
anywhere in the world with their certificates of authenticity.
Many branches of globally known brands, boutique restaurants and
coffeehouses have been opened in the bazaar in the last decade.
Thus, the Grand Bazaar has alsa become a popular tourist spot
for traditional Turkish tastes, tea, coffee and nargile smoking.
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