Nearly 50 million people pass through the 21 gates of Istanbul's famous Grand Bazaar each year, but few step through the discreet door tucked away inside the market to reach the rooftop terrace.
The Grand Bazaar is one of the busiest spots in Istanbul, the world's most visited city in 2023, with over 20 million international visitors, according to Statista. The other nine cities include London, Paris, Dubai, Antalya, Hong Kong, Bangkok, New York, Cancun, Tokyo.
The market was founded in 1461 and expanded into a maze over the next three centuries. It now covers 48,000 square meters and has more than 4,000 red-tiled shops. Merchants have been selling gold, jewelry, leather, furs, and spices at the market for centuries. Each row sells a separate item, making it easy for visitors to find what they need. Nearly 50 million people pass through the 21 gates of this famous market each year. During peak season, the market welcomes about half a million visitors a day.
However, few people know that there is a secret door in the market. When pushing the door open, visitors will climb the stairs to join a new tour on the top floor to see the whole market with its red tiled roofs, the streets and the market below. On the rooftop, there is no noisy crowd, jostling to buy goods, but only a cat lying in the sun, or a seagull flying in from the Marmara Sea.
Istanbul is the most visited city in the world, but this is a sight few people get to see. According to Elif Yildiz Güven, General Manager of the Grand Bazaar, previously only shop owners were allowed into the area, and to inspect and reinforce their stalls before winter. Since 2020, the area has been open to the public through registered tour operators and licensed guides.
Tours are limited to 10 people and last 20 minutes from Monday to Saturday. The names and passports of visitors must be provided to the tour operator 24 hours in advance for safety and security reasons. The tour guide will take visitors on a walk along the walkways and stairs that were previously reserved for shop owners and market maintenance staff. People are not allowed to run or film while walking because the risk of falling is very high if not careful.
Over the years, the red-tiled roofs have been continuously renovated, with hundreds of workers and millions of dollars spent. It was not until 2016 that the roofs in the market were significantly restored. Currently, the area has about 800,000 tiles that are always in perfect condition. Güven said that restoring the ancient market was not a "one-time" job because the area is large and has been through many earthquakes. The tiles are made in a semicircular shape to allow rainwater to drain easily.
The market was originally built of wood in the 15th and 16th centuries. After facing several fires, it was rebuilt in stone and brick. In the central Fatih district, visitors can see Asia across the Bosphorus Strait and the seven hills that make up the ancient city of Constantinople. The market is located on the third hillside.
“While walking, you can see the Nur-u Osmaniye Mosque, the only complete Baroque mosque in Türkiye, followed by the magnificent Beyazit and Süleyman churches,” says Güven.
Currently, the market is in peak season because the harvest season coincides with the wedding season. Parents will come to the market to buy gold as a dowry for their children. The market is the place to buy gold at the best price.
In addition to gold, the market also sells many valuable items such as emeralds, rubies, and diamonds. "That's why visitors who buy tours to visit the rooftop need to write down information such as their names and passport numbers in case of any unexpected events," said local tour guide Barış Partal.
According to vnexpress.net
Source: https://baohanam.com.vn/du-lich/tour-tham-quan-tren-mai-cho-co-o-tho-nhi-ky-140706.html
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