BEDESTENS
Shopping in istanbul is often a big 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. As usual
when bargaining with persuasive shop owners, have an idea of a good price
before you start.
Grand Bazaar (Covered
Bazaar) :
It is
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. 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 Süleyman’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. 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. 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.
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.
Spice Bazaar (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). 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. 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 market on the Galata Bridge end, is this is the
best place to choose olives from huge barrels, and many varieties of beyaz
penir (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 by the 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.
Çukurcuma Sokak is the central point of streets of shops selling old
wooden furniture, antiques, and books, near the Galatasaray Hamam off
istiklal Caddesi. üsküdar’s Bit Pazarı is on Büyük Hama Sokak, and in
Kadıköy, Ozelli Sokak sells mainly furniture. Horhor market, behind
Aksaray mosque, is famous for antiques, selling rare Ottoman furniture.
The Entel, or Intellectual Market in Ortaköy sells arts, craft and
antiques, music cassettes and books, and is open every Sunday and usually
very crowded. Beşiktaş Pazar is open every Sunday, a warren of streets
near Sair Nedim Caddesi, sells bargain clothes. Terkoz Cikmaz, next to the
Paşabahçe glass store off istiklal Caddesi, has bargain designer clothes,
factory seconds or overruns from France, England and Germany at rock-bottom
prices. Sahaflar Carşısı is near a flea market, and specialises in second
hand books
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