A Living History: Istanbul Egyptian Bazaar

The word "çarşı" came into Turkish from Persian. It is a Persian word that is created by combining the phrases four and road and refers to the area of the city center where the stores are situated. From the definition of the word, it is clear that it refers to the locations of stores at various points in time. Bazaar is the word given over time to the collection of stores in a sizable, enclosed area. Bazaars are distinctive and exude history, in contrast to the shopping malls that have grown to be famous throughout the world nowadays and are nearly identical to one another.The historic Mısır Çarşısı in Istanbul is unquestionably one of the most valuable of these bazaars. It is widely referred to as "Egyptian Bazaar," has a long history, and almost has its own culture.

The Egyptian Bazaar, one of the oldest bazaars in Istanbul, was built right next to the Yenicami complex as an annex to it. The reason why the Egyptian Bazaar was built together with the mosque was to ensure that the bazaar would bring income to the Yenicami. The construction, which started in 1597 during the Ottoman Period upon the request of Safiye Sultan, took quite a long time. The construction of the bazaar, which started during the reign of Murat III, was completed as a result of Hatice Turhan Sultan's instructions. Hatice Turhan Sultan was the mother of Mehmet IV. After 67 years of construction, the Egyptian Bazaar was opened between 1663-1664. The bazaar, which was founded to pay for the New Mosque's expenses, is now the center of the spice trade. The bazaar was initially referred to as New Bazaar  (Yeni Çarşı). The bazaar's current name, which was once known as the Valide Bazar, is not a coincidence. Since it was constructed using Cairo's taxes, the neighborhood's name eventually changed to Egyptian Bazaar. The bazaar, still recognized by that name today, is well-known not only in Türkiye but also throughout the entire world.

We can say that its architecture is very important along with its history. The Egyptian Bazaar has the feature of being a "Double Bazaar" since it consists of a combination of two bazaars. Built according to the "L" shaped plan, the Egyptian Bazaar has six gates. Its structural feature is the Ottoman Classical style. Some domes on the upper part of the bazaar add a unique spirit to the building. The building has been destroyed by fire twice and restored. The most important of these restorations was the renovation work carried out by the Istanbul Municipality after the fire in 1940. The bazaar, which improved over time, eventually took the form we know today.

The Egyptian Bazaar, the second-largest covered bazaar in Istanbul, was previously packed with cotton and herbalist stores. As the number of stores grew over time, it eventually became the primary hub for the trade of spices. A magical smell welcomes you even before you enter the Egyptian Bazaar. It is richer than the aroma that greets you as you approach these herbalist stores. One of the things that helps memories and the past come to life in the mind is smell. The Egyptian Bazaar achieves this through its distinctive aroma. The bazaar literally, not metaphorically, reeks like history. To suggest that practically every spice is available would be accurate. The bazaar's diverse aroma of dried herbs and spices practically serves as its narrative. The spices' vibrant pictures are just as appealing to the sight as their aromas. You're in the right place if you want to explore the countless products that will make you feel as though you're in the world of spices. These are only a few of the herbs that may be found in the Egyptian Market, where you can also obtain their roots and dried forms as sources of healing...In addition to the spices, you should look at the vibrant Turkish delights if you visit the Egyptian Bazaar.

The old bazaar offers a wide variety of Turkish delights that are representative of Turkish culture. Together with its architecture and spices, the Egyptian Bazaar's mysterious ambience is complemented by one more thing. The Egyptian Market also offers a variety of mementos that will transport you back in time.You can get yourself or your loved ones mementos that have the scent of the past by purchasing authentically designed goods that symbolize the Ottoman Period. The majority of the goods are made by hand using traditional methods. From copper pans, teapots, and coffee pots—all significant components of Turkish culture—to tiles, glass goods, and gas lamps, you can find many nostalgic items. The lamps constructed from glass mosaics must be the most well-known of these goods. In the Spice Bazaar, you can also find glass mosaic lamps that, with their incredibly authentic appearance, will add color to your home. In other words, you can sense the history in this bazaar's architecture, scent, taste, and items.It's also extremely simple to get to the Egyptian Bazaar, where entering will make you feel as though you've entered a wonderful and magical world.

The bazaar is situated in the Eminönü neighborhood on Istanbul's European side. Eminönü is one of the busiest areas and the center of the city.The ferry pier is not far from the Egyptian Bazaar. The Flower Market is right next to the Egyptian Bazaar, which is situated behind the New Mosque in a sizable area directly across from the dock. There are various ways to get to the bazaar, which lies in the Eminönü neighborhood of the Fatih district. For those traveling from the Anatolian side, the ferry is one of the best options. Tram, bus, and subway are also readily available for getting to Eminönü. The colorful shops of the Egyptian Bazaar, which is easily accessible, are one of the highlights of Istanbul...