It is regarded as the first address of these searching for ordinary Turkish food in Istanbul due to the fact that the Ottoman period, the Egyptian Bazaar. The bazaar, which has earned its reputation thanks to the heaps of spring flowers coming from Asia and Africa, and the retail outlets promoting all sorts of natural medicinal herbs, makes a mystical environment and an oriental treasure to visit.
Information About Egyptian Bazaar
Historical bazaar, Sultan IV. Mehmed’s mother was built by means of Hatice Turhan Sultan in 1661 in the architect Kazım Ağa. In 1597 II. Starting with the order of Murad’s wife Safiye Sultan, however, it was carried out with the help of Hatice Turhan Sultan, and the exercise in the New Mosque Complex was once carried out in 1663.
It is believed that the vicinity is chosen for the construction of the bazaar used to be also used for the identical cause in the course of the Byzantine Empire. According to rumors, this vicinity had a market known as “Macro Envalos”.
The arasta, believed to be the title of the Egyptian Bazaar because of the truth that it used to be built via taxpayers from spices coming from Egypt, is regarded throughout records with specific names. The bazaar which was once constructed in it and the constructing which it was constructed in was once located in the bazaar and named “Yeni” and “Valide” to the bazaar.
The bazaar used to be allotted to the dyer and cotton shopkeepers in their early period. Fish Market, Hasırcılar, and Kefenciler used the gates from these two communities that share a hundred retail outlets amongst them. Pamukçulara New Mosque, Haseki, and Flower Marketplaces have been given. Nowadays, you can find dozens of exclusive categories of merchandise ranging from sugarcane, textile merchandise to caviar essences and blends in shops inside the bazaar.
The historic site has suffered three major fire disasters in the past. The first fire that started in a fountain just outside the Fish Market Gate in 1688 did not cause much damage to the bazaar. However, all the parts except the iron-covered shops of the bazaar in 1691 were burned. After 1940, the bazaar was restored by Istanbul Municipality.
Departments of Egyptian Bazaar
The Spice Bazaar, which is a mixture of two bazaars, used to be built with an “L” plan. Dua Square is positioned at the junction of the two bazaars where the branch extending in the east-west route is longer than the other.
There are six doors in total, four large, two small. From these doors, which are regarded with specific names at some point of history, those who occupied the ends according to the design “L” had been built as two stores for constructing architectural riches. The higher floors of these sections, which are used as primary entrance-exit gates, have been hosted by way of courts that dissolved industrial agreements in the Ottoman period. Among the clerks, the gentlemen who have looked at the conflicts between the trades and the trades between the humans and the trades have worked.
The bazaar was designed as three floors, including the basement. The basement floor sections are mostly used as warehouses nowadays. There are shops on the ground floor, which are the main part of your visit, where you will spend time during your visit. 46 shops on long roads and 36 shops on short roads. The square shaped rooms on the top floor of the historic bazaar are used as offices.
Where and how to go to the Egyptian Bazaar?
The historical bazaar within the borders of Eminönü is located just behind the Yeni Mosque.
IETT buses are the most alternative for shopping in the bazaar side by side with the flower market. Because almost every central point of Istanbul has flights to Eminönü where the bazaar is held. You can also reach the region easily by using sea buses or ferry services from places like Üsküdar, Bostanci, and Kadıköy.
If you prefer to use nostalgic options in your transportation, you can choose a tram that runs between Bağcılar-Kabataş or funicular from Şişhane to Karaköy. After you go to Karaköy, you have to take a short walk to go to the bazaar.
Egypt Bazaar Visit Days and Hours
You can go to from 08.00-19.30 each and every day of the week such as the bazaar on Saturdays for free. The historical venue is open from 09.30 to 19.00 on Sundays. During the 29th of October and spiritual fairs, the bazaar is stored closed.
Apart from the hours and days stated above, the Egyptian Bazaar is only open to the touring groups. You can get targeted statistics by filling out the online reservation form in “Touristic Services and Activities” section at misircarsisi.org.tr or with the aid of calling the smartphone variety indicated on the “Contact” page.