Kemeraltı Bazaar, located in the Konak district of Izmir, is one of the elements that host a rich heritage from ancient times to the present day. This historical bazaar, which extends from Mezarlıkbaşı district to Konak Square, has been the center of the city's trade and social life since the Hellenistic period. This area, where Anafartalar Street draws a large curve and serves as the main artery of the bazaar, was shaped around an inner harbor in the past and expanded with landfills over time to reach its current form. Kemeraltı Bazaar is not only a shopping center with its vaulted structures, inns, and multi-layered historical texture, but also an open-air museum reflecting the cultural identity of Izmir.

Historical Development and Establishment

The origin of Kemeraltı Bazaar dates back to the Hellenistic period and has a history of approximately 2,400 years. This area, which functioned as the commercial center of the ancient city of Smyrna, developed over time as the city grew and its needs changed. The inner harbor, which forms the basis of the current location of the bazaar, was an important point that provided Izmir's connection to the sea in ancient times. However, the filling of the harbor mouth with sediments led to the retreat of the coastline and the formation of new settlement areas. During the Ottoman period, in the 17th and 18th centuries, the bazaar was built on these filled areas, and Kemeraltı became the heart of the city's commercial life.

The name of the bazaar comes from the fact that in the early years, the streets extending from Şadırvanaltı Mosque to Havra Street were covered with vaults. These covered structures gave the bazaar the appearance of a covered bazaar and gave rise to the name "Kemeraltı". These vaulted and domed shops, which bear the characteristic features of Ottoman architecture, defined the early aesthetic and functional structure of the bazaar. Some of the small streets opening perpendicular to the bazaar were also covered with barrel vaults, and these streets combined with arastas to form a complex but orderly network of the bazaar.

In the 19th century, the importance of Izmir as a port city in international trade increased, which contributed to the expansion and diversification of the Kemeraltı Bazaar. During this period, the bazaar became a meeting point for Levantine merchants, Ottoman tradesmen, and different ethnic groups. In the 20th century, with the modernization movements, some of the covered structures of the bazaar were removed, and open areas were increased. In April 2020, the Historical City Center of Izmir, which includes the Kemeraltı Bazaar and its surroundings, was included in the UNESCO World Heritage Temporary List and registered as an internationally recognized cultural value.

Architectural Features and Structural Order

Kemeraltı Bazaar has a structure that contains architectural traces of different periods throughout its historical development. In the years when it was first built, the bazaar was in the form of a partially vaulted and tiled covered bazaar. The main street, Anafartalar Street, draws a large arc following the curved structure of the inner harbor. This curve reflects the organic connection of the bazaar with the harbor and its natural harmony in urban planning. The side streets opening perpendicular to the bazaar are supported by structures covered with barrel vaults, and these streets, combined with the arastas, formed the labyrinthine but functional order of the bazaar.

The inns located in the bazaar are the most important elements of Kemeraltı's architectural texture. These inns are generally two-story and consist of shops lined up around a courtyard in the middle. Vaulted and domed structures provide both an aesthetic and practical function; The upper covers protect the tradesmen and customers from the sun and rain, while the narrow streets provide a cool shopping environment. However, many of these vaulted structures were demolished or left open during modernization efforts in the 20th century. Today, the number of covered streets extending from Şadırvanaltı Mosque to Havra Street has decreased considerably, but the traditional character of the bazaar has been preserved.

Kemeraltı is not only a commercial area, but also draws attention with its religious and cultural structures. There are mosques, churches, and synagogues in the bazaar; these structures show that the region was a center where different religions lived together during the Ottoman period. Approximately 2,000 registered historical buildings reveal the architectural richness and historical layers of the bazaar. These buildings generally reflect 18th and 19th-century Ottoman architecture and were built with local materials such as stone, wood, and brick.

Kemeraltı Inns

Kemeraltı Bazaar is known for the numerous inns built during the Ottoman period. These inns were used for both storage and accommodation purposes as structures that increased the commercial functionality of the bazaar. The large and small inns that have survived to this day play an important role in preserving the historical texture of the bazaar. The main inns located in Kemeraltı are listed below:

• Abacıoğlu Inn: Built in the 18th century, it has been restored and now houses cafes and shops.
• Abdurrahman Inn: As a small-scale inn, it bears the traces of traditional trade.
• Arap Inn: Located in one of the narrow streets in the bazaar, this inn takes its name from its relationship with Arab merchants.
• Büyük Demir Inn: As one of the larger-scale inns, it was used for storage and trade.
• Büyük Karaosmanoğlu Inn: Attributed to the Karaosmanoğlu family, this inn is one of the important trade centers of the bazaar.
• Cambaz Inn: A structure that reflects the vibrant commercial life in the bazaar.
• Çakaloğlu Inn: It draws attention with its traditional architectural features.
• Çarşılı Inn: It is known for its proximity to the busy shopping area in the bazaar.
• Fazlıoğlu Inn: It served the needs of local tradesmen as a small-scale inn.
• Küçük Karaosmanoğlu Inn: It is a smaller version of Büyük Karaosmanoğlu Inn.
• Kızlarağası Inn: It is one of the most famous inns in Kemeraltı and was built in 1744. Today, it is full of souvenir shops and cafes.
• Manisalıoğlu Inn: It has similar architectural features to other inns in the bazaar.
• Musevit Inn: It is a structure associated with Jewish merchants.
• Mirkelamlıoğlu Inn: It reflects the diversity of trade in the bazaar.
• Piyale Inn: It is one of the simple examples of traditional inn architecture.
• Selvili Inn: It is an inn thought to have taken its name from the cypress trees around it.
• Tobacco Inn: It played an important role in the past as an inn for the tobacco trade.
• Uzun Han: This han, which has a narrow and long plan, is one of the characteristic structures of the bazaar.
• Yeni Han: It is an example of a modernized han, built in a more recent period.

These hans, as structures reflecting the commercial liveliness and historical depth of Kemeraltı, provide important information about the economic structure of the bazaar during the Ottoman period. The Kızlarağası Han, in particular, has been restored and has become a tourist attraction and one of the most visited points of the bazaar.

Current Status and Cultural Importance

Kemeraltı Bazaar continues to function as one of the most important shopping centers of Izmir today. Although the number of traditional vaulted and domed shops has decreased, the bazaar has been renewed with modern business centers, stores, cinemas, and cafeterias. Its streets are lively at all hours of the day and serve as an area where all kinds of shopping can be done. The bazaar offers a wide range of traditional Turkish handicrafts such as ceramics, tile panels, wooden products, tombaks, carpets and rugs, and leather products. In addition, the bazaar continues to keep the old tradesman culture alive with its herbalists, coppersmiths, and shoemakers.

The cultural importance of the bazaar is not limited to its commercial function. Kemeraltı, with its mosques, churches, and synagogues, offers a historical mosaic as a region where different religions lived together during the Ottoman period. These religious structures shaped the social and cultural life of the bazaar and ensured the interaction of different communities. The bazaar is located on an axis extending from the Clock Tower to the Agora and is connected to other historical sites of the city through this location.

Its inclusion in the UNESCO World Heritage Tentative List has ensured the international recognition and protection of Kemeraltı. Approximately 2000 registered historical buildings in the bazaar are being protected with restoration projects, which aim to pass the bazaar on to future generations. This area, which shapes the social, cultural, and commercial life of Izmir, continues to exist as a center that accelerates the development of the city.

The Touristic and Economic Role of Kemeraltı

Kemeraltı Bazaar is a destination that offers a shopping experience for tourists. The bazaar, which offers a wide range of shopping opportunities from traditional handicrafts to modern products, is also an open-air museum for those who want to discover the historical texture of the city. Restored structures such as Kızlarağası Hanı are one of the most visited spots by tourists. The cafes and restaurants in the bazaar offer visitors the opportunity to taste local flavors, while the tradesmen's shops in the narrow streets create an authentic atmosphere.

In economic terms, Kemeraltı still plays an important role in Izmir's commercial life. The bazaar is a center of attraction for both locals and tourists, supporting the city's tradesmen's culture and small-scale businesses. Despite the rise of modern shopping malls, Kemeraltı's traditional texture and affordable products continue to make it attractive. Although the bazaar has undergone a transformation from its mysterious vaulted shops of the past to modern stores, it has managed to preserve its historical identity.