Grand Bazaar, Istanbul, TURKEY
Airing Date: Jul 11th, 2005
Istanbul is a city with a long history. Originally known as Byzantium, then Constantinople, it became known as Istanbul in 1453 and was the centre of the Ottoman Empire until the early 20th Century. Istanbul is situated around The Bosphorus, the strait flowing between the Sea of Marmara and the Black Sea, which creates a natural north-south divide. European Istanbul comprises the bulk of the city to the west, while Asian İstanbul is to the east. European İstanbul is itself divided by the Golden Horn (Hali) into the old city to the south, and Beyoğlu and other modern districts to the north.
Instanbul has the largest covered bazaar in the world! The Grand Bazaar started during Mehmet the Conqueror's reign towards the end of the 15th century. The bazaar today is a vast collection of over 2,600 shops, 24 hans, 65 streets, 22 gates, restaurants, mosques, fountains and teahouses.
This main drag is Kalpakilar Caddesi, the glittering main thoroughfare lined on either side with shops of silver and gold. Turkish women's passion for gold is derived from the pleasure of wearing jewelled creations and the belief that gold is a good investment against inflation in Turkey. Gold coins, hundreds of bracelets, rings and earrings as well as precious and semi precious stones embellish these stores.
The market is also famous for its silver collections and is the place to go if you are looking for silver jewellery or candle holders etc. When shopping for silver you will want to pay extra attention to the stamp on the silver items, which indicates the quality or purity of the silver.
Leather processing is a traditional handicraft in Turkey and was developed greatly during the Ottoman period. When purchasing leather goods, you should be aware of the very wide range of products; different animal skins, baby lamb, suede, nubuk, pelluria and their differing qualities and prices.
Among the things to buy in Istanbul, foremost on anyone's list should be a carpet. Turkish carpets are made of silk, wool or cotton. A silk pile gives a carpet great brilliance. Cotton-warped carpets almost always have a more rigid and mechanical appearance than woollen-warped. Carpets are thought of as a work of art and the older the carpet the more precious it is.
Further Information
Gulf Air will get you to Istanbul via Bahrain from $2040 ex Sydney Includes taxes. Conditions apply.
Telephone Gulf Air on 1300 366 337.
Visit Istanbul and the Grand Bazaar on The Imaginative Traveller's 'The Best of East & West' tour. A 23-day tour, which circumnavigates the country, includes all the major highlights, as well as visits to many unique and beautiful areas in Central and East Turkey, including Cappadocia, Mt Ararat and the Barhal Valley. This 23-day tour costs $2,310 plus a local payment of US$300.
Trips depart Istanbul regularly between April and September each year.
Visit www.imaginative-traveller.com.au or call Think Adventure on 1300 135 088.
Prices correct at 11/07/05
