Den Store Basar

The Grand Bazaar is one of Istanbul's most recognizable landmarks and a bustling commercial center that currently employs 26,000 people and sees between 250,000 and 400,000 visitors every day.

It must compete with the modern shopping malls common in Istanbul, but its beauty and fascination represent a formidable advantage for it. On the 550th anniversary of the complex in 2011, the head of the Grand Bazaar Artisans Association said that it was the most visited landmark in the world.

The building's infrastructure, heating, and lighting will all be updated thanks to a restoration project set to begin in 2012. The stalls inside the market will be renovated, and any additions made later will be torn down. This plan will address the major issues plaguing the market, such as the lack of a restroom in the entire bazaar (now it is solved and there are many toilet facilities in the Grand Bazaar). Also, because there haven't been enough controls in the past few years, many dealers have taken out columns and walls from their stores. This, along with the fact that stolen lead was replaced with concrete on the roof of the market, has made it very dangerous for the earthquake that is expected to hit Istanbul in the next few years.

Except for Sundays and national holidays, the Grand Bazaar is open from 9:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. every day.

History of the Grand Bazaar

Shortly after the Ottoman conquest of Constantinople, in the winter of 1455–56, work began on what would become the Grand Bazaar's central market as part of a larger plan to boost the city's economy. A building specifically for the exchange of textiles was commissioned by Sultan Mehmet II. It was known in Ottoman Turkish as Bezzâzistan-Cedîd ("New Bedesten") and Cevâhir Bedestan ('Bedesten of Gems'). The Persian word bezestan, meaning "bazaar of the cloth sellers," was the inspiration for the English word bedesten. The structure, known variously as the "internal" (Ic), "ancient" (Atik), or "old" (Eski) Bedesten in Turkish, is located on the southwestern slope of Istanbul's third hill, between the ruins of the ancient Fora of Constantine and the Fora of Theodosius. It was also near the first sultan’s palace, the Old Palace (Eski Sarayi), which was also under construction in those same years, and not far from the Artopoleia (in Greek) (Άρτoπωλεία), the city’s bakers’ quarter in Byzantine times.

During the 1460s and 1461s, the Bedesten was completed and donated to the Aya Sofya Mosque's waqf. Even though most of the building is from the second half of the 15th century, academics have pointed to the Byzantine relief of a Comnenian eagle that is still on top of the East Gate (Kuyumcular Kapisi) of the Bedesten as proof that it was built in the Byzantine era.

A slave market, known in Turkish as Esir Pazari, operated not far from the Bedesten, a practice that had been maintained since Byzantine times. The old book market (Sahaflar Carsisi) was relocated from the bazaar to its present picturesque location near the Beyazid Mosque. Other important markets in the area were the "second-hand market" (Turkish: "Bit Pazari"), the "Long Market" (Uzun Carsi), which was the same as the Greek "Long Portico" (Makros Embolos), and the "Long Market."

Mehmet II had a second covered market built to the north of the first. It was called Kücük (which means "Little"), Cedit (which means "New"), or Yeni (both of which mean "New") Bedesten. The name comes from a type of thread that was woven in Bursa and had the color of sandalwood.

Efter Sandal Bedesten blev bygget, tekstilindustrien flyttede der, mens Cevahir Bedesten blev den eksklusive domæne for high-end detail sektor. De var oprindeligt to separate strukturer. Der var kirkerum og en stor cisterne mellem dem og Beyazid moské, som bemærket af en fransk rejsende i det 16. århundrede ved navn Pierre Gilles. Men mange købmænd hurtigt oprettet butik i rummene mellem og omkring dem, og snart en hel distrikt blev dedikeret til handel.

Ifølge en folketælling taget i 1890, var Bazaar hjemsted for 4.399 åbne butikker, 2 bedesten, 2195 værelser, 1 hamam, 1 moské, 10 medrasas, 19 springvand (2 sadirvan og 1 sebil), 1 mausoleum, og 24 han. Der er 3.000 butikker spredt ud over 61 gader i den 30.7% bygget område, der er bevogtet af 18 porte. Disse omfatter de to bedesten, tretten han, og 61 gader (plus flere udvendige).

The last major disaster was an earthquake that struck Istanbul in 1894. Mahmud Celaleddin Paşa, the Minister of Public Works, oversaw the reconstruction of the damaged bazaar until 1898, during which time the size of the complex was reduced. While the Kütkculer Kapi and the old gate were demolished in the west, the Bit Pazari was left outside the new perimeter and turned into an open-air road known as Cadircilar Caddesi (the "Tentmaker Road"). Among all the hans that belonged to the market, many were left outside, and only nine remained enclosed in the structure.

Efter at dens tekstilhandlere blev drevet ud af forretning af europæisk konkurrence, købte byen Istanbul Sandal Bedesten i 1914 og begyndte at bruge det som et auktionshus til tæpper det følgende år. I 1927 blev gader og sektioner af basaren officielt givet deres nuværende navne.

The complex was last renovated in the 1980s. At the same time, the market's advertising posters were taken down.

The architecture of the Grand Bazaar

Ic Bedesten er kvadratisk (43,30 m x 29,50 m). Fireogtyve stenpæle understøtter de tre rækker af bugter. Hver af tårnene har sin blinde-tromme-topede murstenkuppel. 44 underjordiske hule værelser (tyrkisk: mahzen) blev bygget i de indre og ydre vægge. Bedesten får sit naturlige lys fra rektangulære vinduer installeret direkte under taget, som kan nås via en ambulant lavet af træ. På grund af den begrænsede belysning var bygningen kun åben i et lille antal timer hver dag, og dens eneste formål var salg af dyre varer, mest fremtrædende tekstiler. Desuden tjener bedestenens mahzen som hule. Fire separate indgange giver folk adgang til strukturen:

The northern gate is known as the "Second-hand Book Sellers' Gate" (Sahaflar Kapisi), the southern gate is known as the "Skullcap Sellers' Gate" (Takkeciler Kapisi), the eastern gate is known as the "Jewelers' Gate" (Kuyumcular Kapisi), and the western gate is known as "Women's Clothiers' Gate" (Zenneciler Kapisi).
Sandal Bedesten følger et sæt med en rektangulær layout (40,20 m ved 42,20 m), 12 stenpærer med 20 bugter og murstenkupler overdækket med en blind tromle. Kun de ydre vægge har indskårne forgrundsdele. Masoneriet i begge strukturer er lavet af ruiner, og bugterne er forbundet med murstenbuer, der igen er forbundet med juniperbjælker.

The buildings of the Grand Bazaar, except for the Bedesten, were originally erected out of wood; it wasn't until after the devastating fire of 1700 that they were reconstructed out of stone and brick and given roofs. Except for the fur dealers' market (Turkish: Kürkcüler Carsisi), a later addition, all of the buildings in the bazaar are single-story structures. Most of the roofs are tiled, while tarmac has been installed in the area that caught fire in 1954. Bazaar goers were warned not to bring any kind of flashlight or candle, as this would only serve to attract attention and start fights. It runs roughly parallel to the roads that surround the central district of Bedesten. Regardless, the market took on a picturesque appearance, especially in its western part, due to the damage caused by the numerous fires and earthquakes throughout the centuries and the repairs done without a general plan.

What to Buy at the Grand Bazaar in Istanbul

Kilims og Rugs

One of Turkey's best-known exports is its exquisite hand-woven carpets and kilims (flat-weaves), and the Grand Bazaar is a popular place to find these rugs.

Tyrkiet har en lang og interessant historie med at lave tæpper. Forskellige regioner, byer og landsbyer er kendt for deres unikke mønstre og farver.

Tæpper og kilim fra Centralasien vil være tilgængelige sammen med dem, der er lavet i Tyrkiet.

You can browse through a wide variety of carpets in the Grand Bazaar's carpet shops. The best carpet stores will give you a cup of tea and a tour of their showroom while talking about their stock and showing you different kinds of carpets.

When you go carpet shopping, don't forget to bring your sense of humor.

Sellers of carpets are well-known for being a little too enthusiastic with their tales, but you should take it in stride and consider it all in good fun. Keep in mind that, unless they were present during the carpet's production, no carpet dealer has any idea what the weaver was thinking as they created the carpet.

Carpet shopping can be confusing for the uninitiated; if you don't know what you're doing, it's best to just buy something you like. Older carpets and kilims from the village or the nomad's collection were made for the weaver's use, while newer carpets are manufactured with the tourist in mind.

Værdien af antikke tæpper fra Tyrkiet og Centralasien afhænger af mange faktorer, såsom deres alder, håndværk, kvaliteten af den anvendte uld og farvestoffer og deres mangel på det nuværende marked.

Lamper og lanterner

Der er sket en stor stigning i antallet af mennesker, der ønsker lamper og lanterner som gaver fra Tyrkiet.

In the Grand Bazaar, lampshades and chandeliers come in all kinds of modern styles, from metal filigree to colorful glass mosaics.

If you'd rather shop for vintage lighting than new, the Grand Bazaar's Ic Bedesten (Old Bazaar), located in the vicinity of the bazaar's geographic center, is where you'll find most of the specialized antique shops selling such items. The oldest and most iconic structure in the Grand Bazaar is the Ic Bedesten.

Se i Cebeci Han for nogle banebrydende filigre lysfabrikker.

Mindre muligheder omfatter de mange glas- og metallyslamper, der sælges i basaren.

Keramik og potter

Byerne Iznik og Kütahya, der har lavet keramik i lang tid, var de første steder, hvor berømte tyrkiske keramik blev lavet.

Tyrkiske keramiske kunstnere laver nu også masser af moderne stykker ud over de traditionelle osmanniske designs, der ofte har tulipanmotiver og andre blomstermønstre.

Hittitiske karabiner og karafler med en cirkulær midterkant er baseret på anatolske designs fra bronzealderen og giver fremragende gaver.

If you are planning a trip to Cappadocia while in Turkey, you may want to hold off on making any purchases until you have a chance to see what the ceramic artists of Avanos are known for producing, as their work is reminiscent of the Hittite era.

In the Grand Bazaar, the main streets are lined with shops that sell cheap, mass-produced ceramics of low quality.

Visit one of the market's dedicated ceramics shops if you're in search of uniquely painted ceramics.

The Arasta Bazaar (behind the Blue Mosque) and the Grand Bazaar are both worth exploring if you're interested in purchasing ceramics in Istanbul.

Tyrkisk metal

Byerne Gaziantep, Sanliurfa og Mardin i det sydøstlige Tyrkiet er kendt for at producere nogle af de bedste moderne metalvarer i Tyrkiet.

Hold af med indkøb, indtil din rejse til Tyrkiet, specifikt til disse byer, da priserne vil være lavere der.

Nogle af de mest solgte varer er te- og kaffetjeneste sæt og metalplader med indviklede graveringer, der er baseret på traditionelle osmanniske designs.

Engraved Turkish coffee pots, used to brew the beverage over a stovetop, are a practical and attractive souvenir that won't take up too much space in your carry-on.

Nørre Hookah

Nargile (vandrør) er en traditionel tyrkisk souvenir, der bruges til at ryge frugt-smagede tobak.

Siden det osmanniske rige har folk røget nargile i tyrkiske caféer.

Glas eller keramiske nargile skåle (som holder vandet bruges til at filtrere røg) kan tage på udførlige designs.

Keep in mind that nargile components are often purchased separately, and the bowls can be used as distinctive vases if you're not interested in buying a fully functional nargile but like the look of the bowls.

Go to Ic Bedesten's antique shops if you're in search of vintage Nargile. There are many shops in the bazaar selling contemporary nargile.

Smykker

The Grand Bazaar is the best place to go in Istanbul to buy jewelry.

There's something for everyone here, from glitzy gold to delicate silver filigree work and pieces set with semi-precious stones.

For gold work, head to the main street of Kalpakcilarbasi Caddesi first, which is lined with gold shops. This is the street that runs between the main Grand Bazaar entrances of Bayazit Gate, on the west side of the bazaar, and Nuruosmaniye Gate, at the eastern end.

Fordi så meget af produktionen er rettet mod brudemarkedet, har stykkerne tendens til at være klassiske i stil.

Butikker, der sælger sølvsmykker, kan findes overalt på basaren.Det er muligt at starte din søgning efter sølvsmykker i Ic Bedesten (Old Bazaar), som er hjemsted for mange butikker dedikeret til ædle metaller.

Hold øje med blå kalcedon og zultanit smykker, som begge er mineret i Tyrkiet og betragtes som halvdyrste sten.

Puder og pude

The many smaller textile items available in Turkey are great purchases if you're looking for easy-to-pack items.

Disse giver dig mulighed for at bringe nogle ægte tyrkiske stil møbler tilbage uden den høje pris og overskydende bagage vægt af at købe tæpper.

Tekstil kan findes i en utrolig bred vifte af designs og stilarter.Køleskabe og andre små tekstiler trykt med traditionelle osmanniske designs er også let tilgængelige og billige takket være masseproduktion.

De originale suzani stoffer (Central Asian brodered textiles) og vintage kilim bruges til at skabe enestående tekstil tilbehør (flat weave tæpper).

Hammam udstyr

Although bath products might not be the first thing that comes to mind when you think of a traditional Turkish souvenir, they have a deep history thanks to the country's hammam (Turkish bath) culture.

Towels with traditional fringed striped designs, called pestemals, are still used in modern hammams. The stalls in the bazaar will sell a wide variety of mass-produced towels, but if you're looking for something truly unique, you should browse the selection of handwoven cotton pestemals, towels, and bathrobes available at stores that specialize in hammam supplies.

Håndlavede olivenolie sæber og de eksfolierende scrubbing mitts, der bruges i hammams, er to af de mindre ting, der gør gode gaver til at tage hjem.

Tilbehør til mode

The Grand Bazaar is a fantastic place to shop for accessories, whether you're in the market for a new scarf, pair of slippers, hat, or bag.

Tyrkiet har længe været kendt for sine silke- og læderprodukter, og der er også en traditionel føllemagningstradition, der i dag producerer mange mærkelige og meget moderne modeprodukter, især slippere og hatter.

Husk på, at mange af de skjorter, der sælges, er masseproduceret med turister i tankerne og ikke engang er lavet i Tyrkiet.

Stoffebutikkerne, der kører langs den nordlige ende af Yaglikcilar Caddesi, er de bedste steder at finde håndlavede silke, kashmir og bomulds- og skær.

In the southwest corner of the bazaar, along Parcacilar Sokak and Fesciler Caddesi, you'll find a concentration of stores selling leather goods.

Turkiske desserter og suckers

Although the Spice Bazaar is where most tourists go to buy souvenirs and gifts involving spices and Turkish delight, the Grand Bazaar also has plenty of options for these kinds of purchases.

Bemærk, at sumak (den tørrede krimsfrugt af sumakplanten) og pul biber (den tørrede Aleppo rød peber) er to af de mest fremtrædende krydderier i tyrkisk køkken.

Sød-syre granatæble molasses og pekmez er to krydderier værd at bringe tilbage (kondenseret frugt sirup er normalt lavet af druer eller mulberry i Tyrkiet).

Se efter de mange helva-sødemidler lavet af sesamfrø ud over de utallige sorter af tyrkisk delikatesse (kaldet lokum i Tyrkiet), som er fyldt med nødder og smagt med rosenvand eller frugt.

Advice on Shopping at the Grand Bazaar

The Grand Bazaar is open from 8.30 a.m. to 7 p.m., Monday through Saturday.
You cannot cover the breadth of the bazaar in one visit. Plan on spending at least an entire morning or afternoon here on your first visit if you want to explore or are serious about shopping, and don't expect to see everything.
Expect to get lost. Half the fun is getting lost in the Grand Bazaar and discovering one of the alley dead ends that lead to an arcaded han (old traveler inn).

Te og samtale med lokale købmænd og touts er væsentlige dele af oplevelsen. Cay (te) vil blive tilbudt til dig af alle og alle, du møder. Din oplevelse her vil være meget rigere og sjovere, hvis du tager dig tid til at deltage i denne tyrkiske gæstfrihed.

The initial price you are quoted depends as much on the country you are from as it does on the seller's mood at the time. For an idea of how much items cost, spend some time browsing a range of shops before purchasing.
Butikker og touts taler en række sprog.

The Grand Bazaar's larger thoroughfares are lined with souvenir shops selling the same trinkets you'll find anywhere: fridge magnets, key chains, Turkey flags, and the ubiquitous nazar boncuk (glass evil-eye protector amulets). Get away from the hustle and bustle of the main drags to find unique and exciting stores.

Carpetbutikker kan findes i nærheden af Halicilar Caddesi, mens guldbutikker kan findes langs Kalpakcilarbasi Caddesi og i nærheden af Cebeci Han og Ic Bedesten.

Frequently Asked Questions About The Grand Bazaar

Q er: What is the Grand Bazaar?

a): The Grand Bazaar is a historic covered market in Istanbul, Turkey, known for its maze-like alleys filled with shops selling everything from jewelry and spices to textiles and ceramics.

Q er: Where is the Grand Bazaar located?

a): The Grand Bazaar is located in the Fatih district of Istanbul, Turkey.

Q er: How old is the Grand Bazaar?

a): The Grand Bazaar was established in the 15th century and has been in continuous operation since then.

Q er: How big is the Grand Bazaar?

a): The Grand Bazaar spans over 60 streets and contains over 4,000 shops.

Q er: What kinds of products can be found in the Grand Bazaar?

a): The Grand Bazaar is known for its wide variety of products, including jewelry, textiles, ceramics, spices, and more.

Q er: What is the history of the Grand Bazaar?

a): The Grand Bazaar has a long and rich history, having been an important center of commerce for centuries.

Q er: Is the Grand Bazaar only for tourists?

a): The Grand Bazaar is both a tourist destination and a local shopping hub, attracting both locals and visitors alike.

Q er: What are the opening hours of the Grand Bazaar?

a): The Grand Bazaar is typically open from 9:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m., seven days a week.

Q er: What is the best time to visit the Grand Bazaar?

a): The best time to visit the Grand Bazaar is in the morning or late afternoon when the crowds are smaller and you can enjoy a more leisurely shopping experience.

Q er: Is bargaining expected in the Grand Bazaar?

a): Bargaining is expected and considered part of the shopping experience at the Grand Bazaar, so be prepared to negotiate prices with vendors.

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Map of Grand Bazaar