No Introduction Needed: The Grand Bazaar in Istanbul
A trip to Istanbul is not complete without visiting the renowned Grand Bazaar (Kapalıçarşı) in the district of Fatih (the old historical part of the city).
The covered market is one of the largest and oldest in the country. The construction of the market started in 1455 and was only finished several centuries later sometime in 1730. It’s a long story which involves halted and renewed constructions and recurrent calamities such are fires and earthquakes. And I thought the Sagrada Familia in Barcelona is taking a long time… oh well.
I adore markets, history and architecture and I came here to the Grand Bazaar to simply experience all these three.
There is however one thing that do not play well with me in markets such as these. They are the too assertive peddlers, especially the carpet sellers. They will do their best to charm you, to get you into a buying trance and even offer you tea. At the Kusadasi Bazaar in the Mediterranean, I had a funny experience with the touts though. And speaking of carpet sellers, I just can’t help remember the scary eyes carpet seller in the Ourika Valley in Morocco, as well as the one dressed as an Arabian knight in Ouarzazate.
Nevertheless, I personally prefer being left alone when browsing in a market and when someone tries to interrupt or assist me, that usually sends me out walking to the door. I am strange I know but I get annoyed when someone tries to sell me something.
Here at the Grand Bazaar you can easily get lost. Like really lose your way that you need to ask someone local how to get out. The bazaar is like a maze with many entrances and exits. To prove the point: I came in via Gate 2 (picture below) and exited at Gate 18 (see picture above).
So yeah, I eventually got lost which I didn´t mind. I like being lost in a labyrinth of markets such as this anyway. I could go on, walking from one market hall to another, admiring the striking and colourful interiors—the plaster walls, the design on the ceilings, the pillars and the vaulted arches. The Grand Bazaar sure has one of the most remarkable market interiors.
Other than that I could ogle endlessly at the exotic merchandise on sale as well.
Enough of my talking. Let me show you the lively and colourful Grand Bazaar. Come and walk with me through the network of covered markets in my pictures below.
Travel Period: May 2015
Destination: Fatih (Istanbul – Marmara), Turkey
Keep in touch and follow me on Facebook: Travel & Lifestyle Diaries by Dutched Pinay Travels
Happy Travels! Enjoy Life =)
The covered market is one of the largest and oldest in the country. The construction of the market started in 1455 and was only finished several centuries later sometime in 1730. It’s a long story which involves halted and renewed constructions and recurrent calamities such are fires and earthquakes. And I thought the Sagrada Familia in Barcelona is taking a long time… oh well.
I adore markets, history and architecture and I came here to the Grand Bazaar to simply experience all these three.
There is however one thing that do not play well with me in markets such as these. They are the too assertive peddlers, especially the carpet sellers. They will do their best to charm you, to get you into a buying trance and even offer you tea. At the Kusadasi Bazaar in the Mediterranean, I had a funny experience with the touts though. And speaking of carpet sellers, I just can’t help remember the scary eyes carpet seller in the Ourika Valley in Morocco, as well as the one dressed as an Arabian knight in Ouarzazate.
Nevertheless, I personally prefer being left alone when browsing in a market and when someone tries to interrupt or assist me, that usually sends me out walking to the door. I am strange I know but I get annoyed when someone tries to sell me something.
Here at the Grand Bazaar you can easily get lost. Like really lose your way that you need to ask someone local how to get out. The bazaar is like a maze with many entrances and exits. To prove the point: I came in via Gate 2 (picture below) and exited at Gate 18 (see picture above).
So yeah, I eventually got lost which I didn´t mind. I like being lost in a labyrinth of markets such as this anyway. I could go on, walking from one market hall to another, admiring the striking and colourful interiors—the plaster walls, the design on the ceilings, the pillars and the vaulted arches. The Grand Bazaar sure has one of the most remarkable market interiors.
Other than that I could ogle endlessly at the exotic merchandise on sale as well.
Enough of my talking. Let me show you the lively and colourful Grand Bazaar. Come and walk with me through the network of covered markets in my pictures below.
I entered the Grand Bazaar at Gate 2.
The bazaar is very busy so you have to always pay attention to your wallet or bag.
This hallway is quite wide, but most are narrow as seen in the other pictures.
The valuted ceilings and hallways with pillars.
Those guys standing and sitting on the chairs are all carpet sellers. They will do their best to get you into a conversation with them.
The ceilings have very interesting paintings.
Cafes and restaurants inside the covered market.
These are circumcision outfits for boys. Check out my story here: Turkish Ritual for Boys: Wearing the Sultan-like Circumcision Costume
Travel Period: May 2015
Destination: Fatih (Istanbul – Marmara), Turkey
Keep in touch and follow me on Facebook: Travel & Lifestyle Diaries by Dutched Pinay Travels
Happy Travels! Enjoy Life =)
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