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Shopping in Istanbul is
one of the delights of a visit to this city where wandering through
the colorful bazaars is a enjoyable as browsing in the modern shops.
For all tourist the 'Kapali Carsi' or Covered Bazaar in the old city
is , of course, the favorite place. In this labyrinth of streets and
passages are more then 4,000 shops with each trade its own area:
goldsmiths’ street, carpet sellers’ street and so on.
Of the great variety of goods offered there is something to suit
every taste and pocket. In Ottoman times this was the centre of
trading, and a vital area of town. The Sandal Bedesten was added
during Suleyman’s reign, to cope with the rising trade in fabrics,
during the 16th century.
Traditionally the more valuable goods were in the old central area,
called Ic Bedesten, because it was more secure. As quite typical of
the area, most streets are laid out and devoted to a particular
trade, for example gold on Kuyumcular Caddesi, leather on Bodrum
Han, and shoes on Kavaflar Sokak. But the trade has also spilled out
onto the surrounding streets, and it is very common to see Russian
traders buying up huge sacks of leather jackets or shoes outside the
main entrance. Even the streets leading to the Golden Horn are lined
with outdoor stalls, which have traditionally been controlled by
strict trading laws to reduce competition between traders.
There is wide selection of jewelery, from traditional to modern
settings, while the carpet shops display eye-catching wares of vivid
colors and intricate designs. Turkish arts and crafts, such as
handpainted ceramic plates, handhoned copper, brassware and trays,
water ewers, onxy-ware and meerschaum pipes; all make charming
souvenirs and gifts. Leather and suede goods are excellent and
relatively inexpensive. In the Old Bedesten, in the heart of the
bazaar, the pattern of shopping seems to have remained unchanged for
century.
Open every day except Sunday
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