Mahmutpasha Bazaar, Covered market street in Fatih district, Istanbul, Turkey.
Mahmutpasha Bazaar is a covered marketplace in Fatih that stretches over a sloping street between the Grand Bazaar and Eminönü, with around 256 shops lining both sides. The vendors offer clothing, textiles, accessories, and household items, creating a dense shopping corridor filled with goods and activity.
The bazaar was established in 1462 by Mahmut Pasha, the Grand Vizier, during the reign of Sultan Mehmed II. It was conceived as part of a larger urban development that included a mosque complex with baths and fountains.
The bazaar serves as a primary gathering place for wedding preparations, where families seek traditional clothing, dowry items, and ceremonial attire for celebrations. Visitors can observe how this marketplace remains deeply woven into local customs and family rituals.
Shops in the bazaar sell clothing and textiles at fixed prices, making shopping straightforward without the need for haggling. The covered layout provides shelter from weather, and the central location between major landmarks makes it easy to reach on foot.
The Kürkçü Han, a warehouse from the era of Sultan Mehmed the Conqueror, survives as the sole remaining structure from the bazaar's earliest period. Today it houses numerous textile and garment vendors, continuing the building's original commercial purpose.
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