As part of the Marco Polo Challenge (incidentally, you can see the Leaderboard here, which changes regularly and everything is still to play for!), Econocom Stories transports you to the iconic locations of our challengeâs next destination: Istanbul. Today, weâre stopping off at the Grand Bazaar, which we will tell you more about in the next few lines. Let the magic begin…
Located in the old town of Istanbul, on the cityâs European Side, the Grand Bazaar, also known as KapalıçarĆı, is a real treasure-trove of Turkish heritage. With a total surface area of 245,000 square metres, including 45,000 indoors and 200,000 outdoors, itâs one of the worldâs largest covered markets. Its 58 streets, 18 doors and 4,000 shops make it a busy retail hub where nearly 20,000 people work every day.
A long history
Istanbulâs Grand Bazaar has a fascinating history stretching back to 1455, when Sultan Mehmed II ordered its construction just after the Fall of Constantinople in 1453. It was significantly extended in the sixteenth century under Suleiman the Magnificent. The oldest part of the bazaar, dating from 1455, was built in wood on the site of an earlier market. Over the centuries, it has been restored and partially rebuilt, notably after an earthquake in 1894 and a fire in 1954 that destroyed half of the building.
A market for everything and everyone
Like any grand bazaar, Istanbulâs is organized into sections, each specializing in a particular type of handicraft, whether jewellery, carpets, fabrics, mosaics or silverware. In the heart of the Grand Bazaar lies Bedesten, a huge vaulted hall that looks like a flea market, where you can find all sorts of treasures, including antique weapons, crockery and coins.
A warm welcome
Today, the Grand Bazaar isnât just a tourist attraction, itâs also a popular spot with local Turks. It boasts a warm and friendly atmosphere where old and new combine. Visitors are greeted with smiles and often a cup of tea, with no obligation to buy. Haggling is a tradition and prices arenât usually displayed, leading to amicable negotiations that rely on your brightest smile to secure bigger discounts.
In short, Istanbulâs Grand Bazaar is much more than a simple market, itâs an immersive experience where East and West and old and new collide… and where the art of haggling lives on.
