Trade, Bazaars, and Commercial Life in Istanbul, 330 AD-1662
The site and function of the Egyptian Bazaar greatly reflects the larger identity of Istanbul for much of its history, from its Byzantine era to the present – a city strategically located between the East and West, and one of the most active centers of trade during both its Byzantine and Ottoman eras. As a coastal city between the Mediterranean and Black Sea, Istanbul was located on a transit trading route, as numerous commercial products from the East and West gathered there before making its way to their final destinations. Goods such as spices, gemstones, woven goods and silk fabrics coming from the East would pass through Istanbul on its way to Europe, while countless food products such as grains, fruits and vegetables, animal products, coffee, salt and spices coming from Europe and the Italian city-states would also be gathered in the ports of Istanbul before being distributed to nearby bazaars and inns[1].
The Egyptian Bazaar, while not built until the early 1660’s, typifies the trading places near the ports that allowed for the sales of these arriving products. Many of these trading places continue to remain in the same locations they occupied during the Byzantine era. Bazaars of the Ottoman Empire were generally organized in public spheres away from the residential areas, comprised of a covered or open main street or a number of streets where stores and workshops stood in a line. The Egyptian Bazaar in particular is located right by the Southern end of the Galata Bridge of the Golden Horn along the coastal line of Eminönü, which has always been one of the most active market places since the Byzantine era and hosted heavy commercial activity during peaks of maritime business. During the Byzantine era, a similar Egyptian bazaar named ‘Makron Envalos’ stood in the location where the modern-day Egyptian Bazaar stands today[2].