Kalmaz Baharat - 2008
The Spice Bazaar, built by Hatice Valide Turhan Sultan, is one of the covered bazaars of the Ottoman Empire that captured hearts with its distinguished and elegant architectural structure.
The peaceful structure of its arches reflects the beauty and elegance of Hanım Sultan in its architectural structure. The bazaar, which was built as a foundation for the new mosque, was endowed for the maintenance and repair of the mosque and to meet all its needs.
The bazaar also provided quality and healthy products to the public for centuries with an organized artisan structure. With 2 edicts, spices, raw coffee and other products from inside and outside the empire were distributed throughout Istanbul and the country from the bazaar.
The Egyptian Bazaar is an important center of the silk road from China to Europe.
It was referred to as the "spice bazaar" by foreign travelers because it was the place where the spices carried by camel and mule caravans were marketed. The bazaar, also known as the "Valide Bazaar" among the people, later became known as the "Egyptian Bazaar" because the spices came from Egypt. Today, the bazaar is also called "spice bazaar" or "spice bazaar".
The Egyptian Bazaar continues to contribute to the country and society and attracts the attention of locals and foreigners.
As you mentioned in the introduction, the Egyptian Bazaar was built by the Sultan's mother Hatice Valide Turhan Sultan together with the New Mosque. The construction of the Bazaar (Arasta) started in 1597 by the architect Davut Aga and was followed by different architects until its completion in 1663-1664.
The architectural plan of the bazaar is L-shaped, has six gates and consists of approximately 96 independent sections. There is an inscription of the bazaar on the Sabuncu Han gate. The rooms next to the gate were used as the protective guard rooms of the bazaar and these issues were stated in the foundation deed.
The double Vav sign on the Eminönü gate is a sign seen in rare buildings of the empire.
Although this double Vav sign is said to have different meanings, it is more likely to represent fertility.
Although the bazaar was allocated to madrasah students for a short time, it later served as a pharmacy where the spices and folk medicines of the empire were produced and sold for centuries. Symbols hanging in front of each shop indicated the disease for which that shop cured.
Over time, the importance of the bazaar declined with the development of the medical and pharmaceutical industry, but today there are different business lines.
When you enter the Egyptian Bazaar, you begin a journey into history and the scent of spices takes you to different lands and times. Beauties in silk outfits and loincloths come to life in your mind's eye, the scent of cloves burns your nose and the sound of the mallet on the dibek is like a lullaby. The smell of cinnamon on the stone walls mesmerizes you, the mystical pages of history come alive in your memory and you leave the bazaar with sweet and pleasant memories.
The Spice Bazaar is the people's bazaar and continues to serve as an example of public service.
Atty. Adnan Kalmaz