Arasta is a bazaar where handcraft products are sold. Arasta Bazaar is located just behind the Blue Mosque, on the north side of the Torun Street. There are more than seventy stores in the bazaar. It is also known as “Sipahi Carsisi” in Turkish because needs of Sipahis (the name of an Ottoman cavalry corps) were being sold here during the Ottoman period.
Arasta Bazaar was re-built on Byzantine ruins and located on a narrow street with many lovely gift shops selling carpets, kilims, travel souvenirs, İznik tiles, scarves etc on both sides of the street. The mosaics which were found in the environs of Arasta Bazaar during the excavation works in 1930s proved that the territory once had belonged to a Byzantine Palace complex.
After a fire in 1912, it lied in ruins for a long time. Later, it was occupied by slum residents. Slums were removed from the area; shops were restored and the Bazaar was put into service by the General Directorate of Turkish Foundations in1980s.
Tue, Jul 7, 2009
Where to Visit