Topkapi Palace was the brain of empire, and Grand Bazaar became the heart of economy. At the beginning of 19th century, when banks and bankers started to settle in Galata, the heart of economy of the empire started to beat here. Then the brain of the empire, i.e. the Palace also moved to that side and settled in Dolmabahce, Yildiz and Ciragan.
In Grand Bazaar, where the functionality of guild system was maintained until Constitutional Period, any kind of profession was taught and held operatively through master-apprentice relations. After Constitutional Period, as a result of changing conditions, the guild system was impaired and trading was according to the conditions of that time.
Bedesten and Bazaar suffered more than 20 earthquake and fire disasters during its history.
Since the avenues and streets of Grand Bazaar were where the persons doing same business gather together, they were given the names according to the branches of business, such as Kalpakcilar (Fur Cap Sellers), Kuyumcular (Jewellers), Aynacilar (Mirror Sellers), etc. Grand Bazaar was always kept alive in every era as a world of fairytale in the books of foreign itinerants and in the paintings of foreign artists.
Being the oldest bank, the greatest and the oldest shopping mall, one of the most mysterious and gorgeous places in the world, possibly the eighth wonder.
Grand Bazaar on Google Maps