Egyptian Bazaar or The Spice Bazaar (Mısır Çarşısı in Turkish), located in the Eminönü district of Istanbul, is one of the most important covered bazaars from the Ottoman period that has survived to the present day. Construction began in 1660 under the orders of Turhan Sultan, the mother of Mehmed IV, and was undertaken by Chief Imperial Architect Kazim Aga. The structure was completed in 1664 by Mustafa Aga. Part of the New Mosque Complex, the bazaar was initially designed as an arasta (covered market) to generate income for the mosque.
The structure's designation as the "Spice Bazaar" is linked both to the fact that some of the funds used in its construction came from Egypt and to the predominantly Egyptian origin of the goods sold in its shops. Starting in the mid-18th century, it began to be referred to by this name and was used by spice merchants and cotton traders. Built in an "L" shape and in the style of classic Ottoman architecture, the Spice Bazaar is today one of the commercial and tourist symbols of Istanbul, primarily selling spices, as well as Turkish Delight, nuts, souvenirs, and jewelry.
Spice Bazaar (Türkiye Kültür Portalı)
History
The foundations of the Spice Bazaar were laid within the New Mosque Complex, reflecting the Ottoman system that shaped its social and economic life. Construction began in 1597 under the order of but was left unfinished due to political instability and internal palace power struggles. and the complex were taken over by Hatice Turhan Sultan, the mother of Mehmed IV, and construction resumed in 1660; the Spice Bazaar was completed and opened in 1663-1664.
Replanning the complex to include an arasta (bazaar) instead of a madrasa (religious school) is closely related to Eminönü's coastal area becoming a commercial center in Istanbul. In this sense, the Spice Bazaar was built as an example of the classic Ottoman urban planning concept where religious and economic functions were carried out together. From its inception, the bazaar served two distinct groups of tradesmen: spice merchants and cotton traders, with a total of six entrance gates, three for each group. The Bazaar, Hasircılar (Mat Makers), and Ketenciler (Flax Traders) gates were given to the spice merchants; the New Mosque, and Flower Market gates were given to the cotton traders. In the early days of the bazaar, about 49 out of approximately 100 shops were used by spice merchants.
The fires of 1688 and 1691 are among the greatest destructions in the bazaar's history. The 1691 fire destroyed most of the bazaar, with only a few shops with iron doors surviving. Following this disaster, the bazaar was rebuilt. In the 19th century, the makeshift shops located in the area between the New Mosque and the bazaar were removed for a time, then resumed operations. Restored by the Istanbul Municipality in 1940-1943, the structure lost some of its original elements during this process. In 1941, a road was constructed separating the New Mosque and the bazaar, disrupting the integrity of the complex.
Old Spice Bazaar (T.C. Fatih Governor's Office)
The bazaar underwent another extensive restoration process between 2013 and 2018 by the General Directorate of Foundations. During this process, the infrastructure, electrical installations, and telephone cables were placed underground; the historical structure was adapted to contemporary shopping conditions. At the request of President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, the traditional “blessing prayer” has been reinstated every Friday morning.
The area where the Spice Bazaar is located has been a center of trade since before . It is known that during the period, there was a spice market called “Makro Envalos” here, and Venetian and Genoese merchants were active there. This historical continuity shows that the bazaar's location was not coincidental, but rather shaped as part of Istanbul's identity as a port and commercial city. The Spice Bazaar, active today, is one of Istanbul's oldest and still-functioning commercial centers with a history of over 400 years. Together with the Grand Bazaar, it forms the core of the city's historical trade network, maintaining its architectural and social significance.
Architectural Structure
The Spice Bazaar, designed as an arasta, incorporates typical elements of classic Ottoman architecture with an "L" plan. The structure has two main sections – a long and a short section – which meet in an "L" shape. The long sections house 23 shops on each side (a total of 46 eyvans and shops), while the short sections have a symmetrical arrangement of 18 shops each. At the junction of the two sections, there are 6 eyvans and cells in a prayer area covered with cross vaults; thus, a layout of 86-88 shops is provided in the bazaar.
The main materials used in the construction are stone and brick, supported by arches, vaults, and domes frequently seen in Ottoman architecture. The wooden peyk (stall) systems at the front of the shops served as sales areas, while the rear sections housed rooms suitable for storage and workshop functions. The passage between these sections was provided by wooden joinery and arched openings; some shop entrances also featured symbolic signs such as a fire tower, a small boat, an ostrich egg, scissors, or a tassel to increase recognition.
In addition, the two-story structures built on top of the main entrance gates at both ends of the bazaar served as the Commercial Court, which handled legal disputes between the bazaar's tradesmen and the public. In this respect, the Spice Bazaar is a multi-layered space that houses social and administrative functions beyond being just a commercial center. In restoration processes, the original plan and layout have been largely preserved; however, modifications have been made over time to adapt to modern needs.
The Spice Bazaar Today (T.C. Istanbul Governor's Office)
Symbols and Decorative Elements
In addition to the architectural fabric of the Spice Bazaar, various symbols used to make the shopkeepers' shops recognizable and to protect consumer rights occupy an important place among decorative elements. On the wooden peyk systems in front of some shops, symbols representing the shops are engraved. These symbols include items such as a fire tower, small boat, ostrich egg, scissors, and tassel. Each symbol was used to show which trade group a particular shop belonged to and to make it easy for consumers to find the products they were looking for.
These decorative applications not only provided an aesthetic touch, but also served as a functional guidance system within the bazaar. The symbols used to identify the shopkeepers' shops, as a reflection of the traditional customs and practices in the bazaar environment, also played an important role in protecting consumer rights. Thus, the symbolic and decorative elements of the Spice Bazaar contributed both to the preservation of cultural heritage and to the regulation of daily commercial activities.
Shop in the Spice Bazaar (T.C. Istanbul Governor's Office)
Cultural and Social Role
The Spice Bazaar is more than just a place for commercial activity; it is an important part of Istanbul's cultural and social life. Throughout history, the bazaar has served as a meeting place for the local population, as well as a platform that brings together people from various backgrounds and cultures. Practices such as the traditional “blessing prayer” and the ability of shopkeepers to serve in multiple languages (Spanish, French, German, English, Latin, Arabic, Chinese, Japanese, and Greek) have enriched the social fabric of the bazaar and highlighted cultural diversity and international interaction.
