The Grand Bazaar of Istanbul is one of the biggest covered markets of the world. It is a wide assemblage of 2600 shops (according to the last estimates), 24 private hotels and marketplaces, 65 streets, 2 covered markets, restaurants, mosques, fountains, and snack-bars. More than 500 jewelers sell their merchandise here, and each of them pays from 5,000 up to 8,000 dollars for rent each month: it explains their aggressive tactics of sale. As any other big world shopping center, the Grand Bazaar attracts many stern businessmen. However, if you are interested in an article, the price will probably be flexible. Shops, where jewelry, ceramics, spices, and carpets are sold, are the most famous ones. Many shops are grouped according to the sold merchandise: for example, there are separate spaces for leather clothes, jewelry, etc.
Nuruosmaniye gates, an arch of the Moresque style, serves as an entrance to the Grand Bazaar. It has a marble fountain, which reminds of the fire, occurred in 1954, when the third part of the market burned down. Pay attention to the Nuruosmaniye mosque, situated near it, which is the first Turkish sample of the baroque style. Usually buyers spend much time in the Cap-makers' (Kalpakcilar caddesi), the main sparkling street of the market, where golden and silver articles are sold. Turn to the right and go to the Old Bazaar to see the outstanding collection of antiques, jewelry, and copper articles.
Inside the bazaar there are two stone dome-like buildings, built for the storing of goods. The first one of them was constructed in 1464, following the order of Mehmet II. The Grand Bazaar was capitally restored after the earthquake of the year 1894. Nowadays it is daily visited by 250,000-400,000 buyers.
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