Page 62 - WINE DINE AND TRAVEL MAGAZINE FALL 2023 DISCOVERING TURKEY

The Bazaar is divided into 61 streets, each of ryphal tales of families wandering around for
which is dedicated to a particular type of mer- years looking for a way out. Don't be afraid to
chandise - textiles, jewelry, gemstones (in- ask a merchant for help if you are searching
cluding color-changing zultanite found only in for an exit or something you want to buy.
Turkey), rugs, leather goods, souvenirs, and Sultan Mehmed the Conqueror built the
more. We wondered how the merchants com- Grand Bazaar in the 15th century, shortly after
pete and survive. In one long hall, for example, he conquered the city of Constantinople. He
dozens of shopkeepers hawked Turkish Delight intended to provide funding for the renovation
candies from what looked like identical stores. of the Hagia Sophia Mosque but the bazaar
It’s the same with most of product lines. quickly became a major center of trade, at-
It’s easy to get lost here. There are apoc- tracting merchants from all over the world.

62 WINE DINE & TRAVEL MAGAZINE FALL 2023