The covered market in Istanbul..or as it is called the Grand Bazaar

Arabiaweather.com - Ismail Qasimi - Some like to call it the Covered Market, and others like to call it the closed or covered market, or the Grand Bazaar. Whatever the names are, the market remains one of the most wonderful and important historical places in Istanbul.

The historical importance of the covered market is due to the fact that it was built during the Ottoman era by order of the conqueror of Constantinople, Sultan Mehmed the Conqueror in the year 1461 AD, when he ordered the construction of a complex that includes the market, houses, and mosques.

The market sits on an area of 30,000 square meters, and there are a total of 80 streets that include more than 4,400 shops and 40 khans. You can enter it from 11 main doors that lead you to a group of streets, each of which is named after the handicrafts spread in it.

In addition to the flame market, the silver market, the copper market, and other markets, the large complex includes an old historical treasury, two collectors, a police station, a number of restaurants, water fountains, in addition to tourist information centers.

In the center of the market, you will find a large hall known as Cevahir Pedistini, in which you can get wonderful shopping opportunities represented in the most valuable jewelry, watches and silverware.

It remains for you to know that the covered market is one of the most expensive shopping places in Istanbul, but it has always been known as the most expensive point in Turkey, and how can it not be as it receives more than half a million visitors a day representing ordinary people, tourists, importers and even production companies in Hollywood .