The History of the Grand Bazaar: A Past Written in Fires

The Grand Bazaar is not only a historic center of trade but also a silent witness to the great disasters Istanbul has endured. Over the centuries, this unique marketplace has faced numerous fires and earthquakes, yet each time it has risen again. To understand its present-day architecture, one must look closely at these events from the past.

Wooden Shops and Great Fires

In earlier times, the streets and shops of the Grand Bazaar were mostly made of wood. For this reason, when fires broke out, protecting the bazaar was extremely difficult. For example, during the great fire of 1515, the flames reached as far as the Old Palace, and the Bezzazistan and its surroundings were completely destroyed. In the fire of 1546, according to some sources, as many as 10,000 shops were lost. Interestingly, two bedestens built of stone and fitted with iron shutters managed to survive these disasters.

How Fires Transformed the Bazaar

After another major fire in 1701, Sultan Mustafa II issued an order: “No more wooden shops—everything must be built of stone!” Following this decree, the streets of the bazaar began to be covered with stone vaults. In this way, the Grand Bazaar truly began to live up to its name. During this period, disputes arose among shop owners over space, but eventually the Ali Paşa Bazaar in Edirne was taken as a model, and stone construction was accepted—even if by force.

Stone Structures Reduced Fires but Did Not Eliminate Them Completely

In yet another fire in 1750, even the streets already covered with stone vaults were damaged. During this fire, the janissaries engaged in looting, causing more destruction than the flames themselves. Nevertheless, thanks to the transition to stone construction, fires became less frequent and their impact was reduced.

Earthquakes and the Final Major Fires

In the great earthquake of 1766, some sections collapsed but were repaired immediately. In 1803, a fire that broke out in Parmakkapı destroyed the Yolgeçen Han and its surroundings.

A Bazaar Reborn from the Ashes

Located in the heart of Istanbul, this bazaar has been tested by fire time and again, yet it has always risen anew. The stone structure and covered streets we see today are the direct result of these fires and the lessons learned from them.