THE COVERED BAZAAR (KAPALICARSI)

The world famous Covered Bazaar (Kapali Carsi) is, owing to its architecture, history, location, and sheer variety of merchandise, one of Istanbul's most significant tourist sites. The Bazaar has eight different entrances, each of them facing one of the city's most important historic monuments. These include Nuruosmaniye Mosque, Çemberlitaş, the Beyazıt Complex, Istanbul University and the Second Hand Book Bazaar. Built at the command of Sultan Mehmed the, Conqueror in 1461, the Bazaar initially consisted of just two warehouses (bedesten). In time, merchants began to set up their own stalls and workshops in the surrounding area. Dignitaries furthered the expansion with the addition of numerous caravanserais, so that soon the place had become a focus for trading goods from all over the empire. In the 16th and 17th centuries, however, the Bazaar suffered repeated damage from the fires that ravaged that part of the city, and in 1894 was destroyed altogether by an earthquake. After being rebuilt m 1898, the Bazaar underwent further renovation following the fires of 1943 and 1954.
In terms of structure, the visitor is confronted by what may at first seem a bewildering a maze of 61 streets. On closer inspection, however, it becomes apparent that there is, in fact, a reasonable semblance of order. The streets themselves are arranged on a grid-like system, and traditionally shopkeepers have tended to group themselves according to the type of goods they sell, whether it be jewellery, antiques, carpets, copper, or leather goods. Clues as to which area you might be in are often given by the names of streets, even if in some cases - the Street of the Turban Makers, for instance -the trades recalled are now mere vestiges of a colourful past.
The Bazaar also functions as an unofficial financial centre, with a particular emphasis on gold and foreign exchange trading Most shopkeepers will exchange dillerent currencies.
The Bazaar is open daily except Sundays and public holidays, between 07:00 and 19.00.

EGYPTIAN SPICE BAZAAR

Located just behind the Yeni Mosque in Eminönü, the Spice Bazaar was built in 1660 by the architect Kazım Ağa at the behest of Sultan Turhan. It gains its Turkish name, Mısır Çarşısı (Egyptian Bazaar), from the fact that it once received income from taxes levied on Egypt. The English name hails from the days when the Bazaar specialised in the sale of herbs and spices, medicinal plants, and drugs. While the colour and aroma pervading the covered hallway may since have faded to some extent, a small number of shops do still slock the traditional products. In addition, you will hnd sacks and shelves groaning with dried fruits and nuts, teas and infusions, oils and essences, sweetmeats, honeycombs and aphrodisiacs.
The Spice Bazaar is open daily, except Sundays and public holidays.

FISH MARKET

Given its vast expanse of coastline, it is not surprising that the fishing tradition in Istanbul goes back a long way. For centuries, surrounding villages earned their livelihood from the sea, displaying their catch at colourful local markets. With the decline of the trade many have not survived to
this day, although the larger ones are still flourishing. The oldest fish markets are in Eminönü and Beyoğlu/Galatasaray. Others can be found in Beşiktaş, Kumkapı and Sarıyer.

SAHAFLAR ÇARŞISI (SECOND HAND-BOOK BAZAAR)

Sahaflar Çarşısı, the Second hand Book Bazaar, nestles in an ancient, courtyard between the Bayezid Mosque and Fesçiler entrance to the Covered Bazaar. One of Istanbul's oldest markets, the Bazaar is built on the same site as the Chartoprateia, which used to be the book and paper market of Byzantium. However, it was only at the end of the 18th century that booksellers began to migrate across from the Covered Bazaar and set up shop in the courtyard. Printing and publishing legislation introduced soon after enabled the trade to expand in a major way and take over the entire market, which from then on became known as the Sahaflar Çarşısı. Well into this century the market remained a focal point for the sale and distribution of books within the Ottoman Empire, as well as a gathering spot for Istanbul's intellectual and literary circles However, over the last half century or so, the market has lost much of its significance with the inevitable proliferation of modern bookstores across the city All the same, tattered ancient volumes are still to be lound beside the gleaming new editions.
The Bazaar is open daily except Sundays and public holidays, when the mam stores are closed. The smaller stores, however, tend to open every day.

LOCAL OPEN MARKETS

Almost every neighborhood of Istanbul has its own open market on a set day of the week. An integral part of Istanbul culture, market day is both a social and commercial event and one that brims wilh colour and life. Stalls are piled high with seasonal fruits and vegetables, hardware, household gadgets, knicknacks, clothing, and textiles. Stallholders advertise their wares garrulously to the passing crowds, customers bargain mercilessly for a good price.
The markets themselves are generally known either by the name of the neighbourhood, or by the day ol the week on which they are held. This is one of Istanbul's oldest and most well-known markets and vies for size with the Salı Pazarı (Tuesday Market) in Kadıköy over on the Asian shore. Others of note include the Saturday market in Beşiktaş, and Ulus Pazarı, one of the newest markets, which happens on a Thursday.
As well as the weekly markets, Istanbul has a number of permanent and seasonal markets. The Çiçek Pazarı (Flower Market), for instance, is located beside the Spice Bazaar in Eminönü and sells everything from seeds, pot plants, and shrubs to pets, leeches, and ducklings. The market trades seven days a week throughout the year. Further away from the centre at Topkapi is the Koç Pazarı (Ram Market), where sacrificial animals are sold, but only in the weeks leading up to Kurban Bayramı (the Feast of the Sacrifice). Another seasonal market is the Gül Pazarı (Rose Market) in Eyüp Square, Yavedud. Held exclusively during the rose season, the market is a good place to buy other flower varieties, besides just roses.

MODERN

AKMERKEZ

Situated in the wealthy district of Etiler, Akmerkez opened its doors to the public in December 1993. The complex differs from other malls in that it encompasses a business centre and apartment block, as well as a retail centre. The 226 independent units in the retail centre are housed on three floors and sell anything from lashionware, accessories and shoes to books, electronics, cosmetics, giftware, and interior furnishings. The top floor is set aside for fast food restaurants and a multi-screen cinema. Akmerkez opens seven days a week.
On the basis of its innovative design and professional management, Akmerkez was voted Europe's best shopping mall in 1994 by the International Shopping Centre Commission.

GALLERIA

Opened in 1988 in Ataköy, Galleria was Istanbul's first modern shopping mall. The complex houses 127 retail outlets, including Printemps, the French department store, and Vakko and Beymen, the upmarket Turkish stores. Besides just shops, the complex also features an entire floor of fast food restaurants and cafeterias, the Fame City leisure and entertainment centre, an ice rink, bowling alley, cinema, and conference room. There is also a car park with capacity of up to 2000. Galleria is open seven days a week.
In 1990, Galleria was named the world's most outstanding mall by the International Shopping Centre Commission. Criteria for the award included the sophisticated blue-print design, rapid construction, and unique structural features.

CAPITOL

Located in Altunizade on the Asian shore of Istanbul, Capitol is built on six floors. The complex features a classic array of retail stores, including the Carsi department store and Migros supermarket, as well as four cinemas, a theatre, children's theatre, bowling alley, a billiards saloon, video games hall, and art gallery. Capitol Radio, one of Istanbul's private radio stations, also broadcasts from the complex. As with the other shopping malls, Capitol opens seven days a week.