The oldest market in the world: Grand Bazaar, İstanbul
Standing out among the bazaars in İstanbul, the heart of Türkiye, is the Grand Bazaar, the city’s most crowded and popular. The foundations of this historical covered bazaar were laid in 1461, immediately after the conquest and, over time, the marketplace became the most important commercial area in the city. In addition to offering various products, the Grand Bazaar served almost as a financial center: precious gems, metals and jewelry from all over the world were brought to the Grand Bazaar and distributed from the hands of wealthy tradesmen. Considered the oldest and largest shopping center in the world, the Grand Bazaar today hosts 3,600 shops in a labyrinthine complex of 45,000 square meters and hosts up to 500,000 visitors on some days. The multitude of shops offer products ranging from carpets to textile products, and from jewelry to tiles. The Grand Bazaar, one of the most famous covered bazaars in the world, is located in the Beyazıt district.
One of the oldest markets in the USA: Pike Place Market, Seattle
Opened in 1907, Pike Place Market is “one of the oldest and largest continuously operating public markets in the United States.” The Seattle, Washington market operates across nine acres in the downtown historical district and hosts all types of shops and restaurants, along with performers and musicians, and vendors selling a wide variety of products: seafood, fruits and vegetables, handicrafts, and more. In fact, Starbucks – perhaps the world’s best-known coffee chain – opened its first store in 1971 at Pike Place Market.
A beloved Seattle institution, this vibrant community space is also a highly popular tourist destination. It certainly ranks as one of the most famous bazaars in the world!
Elegant architecture on the Silk Road: Tabriz Bazaar, Tabriz
Given the Persian origins of the word ‘bazaar’, it is natural that the covered bazaar has a special place in Iranian culture. Like the squares and plazas found in Europe and the Americas, Iran’s covered bazaars are significant public spaces. The Tabriz Historic Bazaar Complex in Tabriz – a prominent city set on the historical Silk Road – is among the most well-known. Included on the UNESCO World Heritage List in 2010, the original construction date of this historical bazaar is unknown. The current Complex, which is in one of the world’s largest brick structures, was built following the 1780 earthquake and covers a total area of 27 hectares. As one of the most popular – and beautiful – covered bazaars worldwide, it features more than 5,000 shops, 30 mosques, and 40 different professionals.
World’s Best Food Market: St. Lawrence Market, Toronto
In Canada, Toronto’s St. Lawrence Market complex is also one of the world’s largest bazaars. This famous bazaar, operating since the early 19th century, is set across three main buildings, including the South Market, the North Market and the red brick St. Lawrence Hall. Featuring a farmer’s market and an antique market on the weekends, St. Lawrence Market hosts numerous farmers, chefs, artisans and merchants – and was named the best food market in the world by National Geographic in 2012. In addition, this food bazaar and complex hosts various events.
Warm southern Europe: La Boqueria, Barcelona
Starting as a small collection of meat and produce stalls in 1217, Mercat de La Boqueria has become one of Barcelona’s – and Spain’s – most famous shopping spots, as well as a popular tourist destination. Set on Las Ramblas, the city’s renowned pedestrian street, La Boqueria hosts an open market with bars and vendors selling all types of prepared and raw food products, mainly from local and regional producers. In addition, there are cooking classes and other workshops offered at La Boqueria.
Redolent of spices: Khan al-Khalili, Cairo
Considered among Cairo’s main tourist attractions, Khan el-Khalili is one of the largest historical bazaars in the city. Located in the Historic Cairo, the stone complex is home to vendors selling everything from gold to spices – there are very few things that cannot be found in this famous historical bazaar. Often referred to as “Cairo’s shopping paradise”, Khan el-Khalili, and the surrounding neighborhood were immortalized in print by the Nobel Prize-winning Egyptian writer Najib Mahfouz in his Khân el-Khalîlî, about Cairo during the Second World War.
Sources:
The Turkish Online Journal of Design, Art and Communication – TOJDAC
Türkiye Kültür Portalı (Turkish Cultural Portal)
