In
Turkish the market is named the Misir Carsisi- the Egyptian
Market- because it was built with money paid as duty on
Egyptian imports. In English it is usually known as the
Spice Bazaar. This long building covered by a row of low
domes is where foodstuffs, above all spices, are sold
in a fascinating oriental athmosphere.
This
bazaar was constructed in 1660 with its numerous small
shops, as a source of revenue for the nearby mosque; Hatice
Sultan, mother of Mehmet IV, had it built on the sited
an old covered market dating from the Venetians. The visitor
is struck by its oriental atmosphere and charm; it comprises
three great galleries which are crowded with local people
and visitors at all hours of the day. In the little shops
below the vaults all kinds of foodstuffs are sold, as
well as furniture, materials, etc. In former times the
market was devoted entirely to the sate of indigenous
herbs and drugs; and until the last century transactions
of this drug market were a characteristic activity to
observe and study... The various jars and bottles, the
rows of shelves, the counters and display stands were
notable for the wide range of remedies and specifics that
could be obtained there under a variety of picturesque
names and titles, such as «oam of the seas»,
"the serpent's shirt” «the asses' tongue»
along with other herbs beneficial as infusions or poultices.
It is still possible to find there certain of those herbs
which are much sought after as the ingredients of country
women's remedies.
Stalls
in the bazaar stock herbs, spices, nuts, sweetmeats and
pastirma. Today's expensive Eastern commodity caviar (
the best variety Iranian ) is also available. Nowadays
a range of other items including everything from household
goods, toys and clothes to exotic aphrodisiacs are sold
in the bazaar.
