Istanbul Old City

E g y p t i a n B a z a a r - the Spice Market, Istanbul

Egyptian Bazaar - Misir Carsisi, also known as the Spice Market, this is Istanbul's second bazaar.

Egyptian Bazaar - the Spice Market is constructed in the same complex as Yeni Camii (or New Mosque). There are six gates, which make it an attractive exterior. The L-shaped market, together with the mosque, were built for the mother of Mehmet IV, a powerful woman who ruled the harem and, some would say, much of the empire.

Egyptian Bazaar - the Spice Market, although no longer the prime spice trading area of the city, there is still the aroma of ginger, cardamom, pepper and saffron from the piles of spices sold from many stalls. These days it is also popular for great varieties of lokum (turkish delight), small souvenirs, flavoured teas and local delicacies.

Locals come to Egyptian Bazaar - the Spice Market to shop for bed linen and towels, as well as for fruit and vegetables, coffee, clothes, pots and pans in the surrounding cramped backstreets. Outside the market on the Galata Bridge end, is this is the best place to choose olives from huge barrels, and many varieties of beyaz penir (white cheese).