Grand Bazaar

It’s possibly the world’s oldest shopping mall, dating back to 1461. It’s also one of the world’s largest, with over 4,000 shops on 61 covered streets. I’m referring to Istanbul’s Grand Bazaar.

Our guide Erdinç stopped at a shop just outside the bazaar, where we learned how Turkish carpets are made. Then we walked through one of the entrance gates and into the centuries-old building. We wandered along lanes lined with shops, stopping frequently as Erdinç greeted the merchants he knew. This was the jewelry section, and the displays definitely had a “more is more” vibe. I had never seen so much gold in one place! I couldn’t help noticing that while there were plenty of people shopping, there weren’t many people buying.

It was a huge maze of streets that all looked the same to me. It would be easy to get lost in the Grand Bazaar! Although it was nice to be indoors, out of the sun, I was tired after hours of sightseeing. Just as I began to feel overwhelmed, Erdinç led us through a narrow passageway to a quiet courtyard behind the shops. He pointed out the silversmith workshops overlooking the courtyard, explaining that all the silver pieces we had seen in the shop windows were crafted on site. A worker passed by with a tray of cups of hot tea, to be delivered to the merchants in their stalls.

Outside the Grand Bazaar, the streets were lined with yet more stalls. To our relief, the hotel was nearby. I think we saw just a small fraction of the Grand Bazaar, but it was more than enough!