The grand bazaar began construction in 1455 and opened in 1461. It is well known for its jewellery, pottery, spice, and carpet shops. Many of the stalls in the bazaar are grouped by the type of goods, with special areas for leather coats, gold jewelry and the like. The bazaar contains two bedestens (domed masonry structures built for storage and safe keeping), the first of which was constructed between 1455 and 1461 by the order of Sultan Mehmed the Conqueror. The bazaar was vastly enlarged in the 16th century, during the reign of Sultan Suleiman the Magnificent, and in 1894 underwent a major restoration following an earthquake. Today, the grand bazaar houses two mosques, two hamams, four fountains, and multiple restaurants and cafes. The sprawling complex consists of 12 major buildings and has 22 doors (Wikipedia).
14 Comments
Ginger Lovellette 29 Oct 2011
Great shots and wonderful to "visit" via your pictures!Karen Helsing 28 Oct 2011
Great shot!Patricia Passaris 28 Oct 2011
A De-light-full Wow! Metin your shares are exquisite. Thank you for sharing.Donald Schrier 28 Oct 2011
What a beautiful capture and a part of the world that I will never get to see in person but thanks to your wonderful photography I have something almost as good in your photo that tells the story so well.Sharon Gonzalez 28 Oct 2011
THANK YOU FOR SHARING THIS OBVIOUSLY FUN PLACE, METIN. I HOPE YOU AND YOUR FAMILY WERE SAFE FROM THIS RECENT EARTHQUAKE.Stefani Wehner 28 Oct 2011
Exciting place and exciting city.......Great shots, Metin and thanks for sharing! Hope you and yours aren't touched by the earthquake in your beautiful country!Ropati Leaso-Cobb 28 Oct 2011
Wow, what an incredible space Metin.ruth sears 28 Oct 2011
remarkable photos,love the bottom one,would love to be there and see this wonderful place in life.Liz Robinson 27 Oct 2011
Beautiful photos and the architecture and colours are lovely Metin. So sorry to hear about the earth quake there, hope you and your loved ones are all safe!!Michele Foster 27 Oct 2011
Wow! The colors are great ;-) Thought about you after I heard about the earthquakes in Turkey. Hope you and your family are ok. Your USA friend :-)Nira Dabush 27 Oct 2011
I WISH I WAS THERE, METIN.. THIS IS WONDERFUL.marie-claire gallet 27 Oct 2011
Me too !!! Thank you for sharing Metin, and all my best thoughts to the Turkish people who once again had to face one of these terrible earthquake !!! Kind regard from France.Nelly van Nieuwenhuijzen 27 Oct 2011
I was there with my friends from Istanbul. Love it!! beautiful photos, thanks for sharing Metin!José Fortunato 27 Oct 2011
I have been there and hope, next April to come back and visit again your beautiful city! Great shots