History

Located in the heart of Istanbul, the Grand Bazaar is one of the largest and oldest covered bazaars in the world with over 600 years of history. Attracting millions of visitors every year with its labyrinth-like streets, historical atmosphere, colorful shops and lively atmosphere, the Grand Bazaar is more than just a shopping mall, it is almost like an open-air museum. 

A Historical Journey 

The history of the Grand Bazaar dates back to 1461. After the conquest of Istanbul, Sultan Mehmet the Conqueror had a bedesten built to generate income for Hagia Sophia. This bedesten constitutes the first nucleus of the Grand Bazaar. 

In time, new shops and inns started to be built around the bedesten. During the reign of Suleiman the Magnificent, important contributions were made to the bazaar. In the 16th century, the Grand Bazaar became one of the most important trade centers of the world. 

The Grand Bazaar has been damaged by many fires and earthquakes over the centuries. However, it was rebuilt each time and continued to grow. In the 19th century, some arrangements were made to give the bazaar a modern look. 

Today, the Grand Bazaar is one of the largest and oldest covered bazaars in the world, built on an area of 45 thousand square meters and housing more than 4,000 shops. It is visited by millions of tourists every year. 

Shopping in the Grand Bazaar 

Many different products such as carpets, rugs, jewelry, leather goods, spices, clothing and souvenirs are sold in the Grand Bazaar. It is possible to find products for every taste and budget in the bazaar with more than 4000 shops. When shopping in the Grand Bazaar, where bargaining is common, it is important to compare prices and prefer reliable shops. It is possible to find products for every taste and budget in the bazaar. 

Places to see 

The Grand Bazaar is a place worth seeing not only for shopping but also for historical and cultural reasons. Cevahir Bedesten, Sandal Bedesten, Arasta Bazaar, Sahaflar Bazaar, Nuruosmaniye Mosque and Grand Bazaar Bath are among the must-see places in the bazaar. 

You can have an unforgettable shopping experience in the Grand Bazaar, which fascinates with its historical texture. One day will be enough to get lost in the bazaar, explore the colorful shops and taste the local delicacies. 

Sura Hotel, located close to the Grand Bazaar, offers comfortable and modern accommodation. The hotel has many facilities such as a spa center, fitness center, Turkish bath, and sauna. You can visit https://surahotels.com/ website to make a reservation at Sura Hotel.