The Spice Bazaar is located next to the
Flower Market on the banks of the
Golden Horn called
Makron and
Envalos by the
Byzantine and
Eminönü by the
Ottomans.
The Spice Bazaar is one of the most characteristic places of
Istanbul.
Spice Bazaar which is one of the oldest covered bazaars of
Istanbul is situated within the complex of
Yeni Cami.
The Yeni Cami complex which was commissioned by
Safiye Sultan to be built and the construction of which started in the year 1591 was completed by
Hatice Turhan Valide Sultan in the year 1633. The building situated in the complex is a “L” shape arasta. ( Arasta is a bazaar design particular to
Ottomans. It is a building where shops specialised in one type of product are found.) Within the complex of
Yeni Cami there are two fountains, the
dar-ül hadis- and children’s school. The architect of the
Bazaar is believed to be
Hassa Chief Architect Mustafa Ağa or
Kasım Ağa who was the chamberlain of the
Sultan.
The Spice Bazaar has 6 doors which are not used today. There are one hundred shops in the bazaar. Although the mentioned
Bazaar was first named
Valide (
Mother Sultan)
Bazaar later it was named
Egyptian Bazaar since the goods originating from
India and brought to
Istanbul via Egypt were sold here. The Spice Bazaar was burned down twice in 1691 and 1940 . The
Bazaar was lately restorated by the municipality of
Istanbul between the years 1940 and 1943. In the
Bazaar which is famous for its herbalists currently dried fruits, delicatessen and various food staff besides conventional products such as natural medicines, spices, flower seeds, scarce plant roots and peels are sold. It is known that the spices sold here are in addition to their consumption as food staff, useful for the treatment of certain diseases. Lately an increase in the number of jewelery shops in the bazaar is being observed. Within the
Spice Bazaar there are restaurants with a view over the
Golden Horn and
Galata Bridge as well.
The Bazaar is open from Mondays to Saturdays.
