The name comes from a kind of thread woven in Bursa, which had the color of sandalwood.
Sandal Bedesten lay north of Cevahir Bedestan and is now the second oldest building in the Grand Bazar.
By the beginning of the 17th century the Grand Bazaar had already achieved its final shape.
Stalls selling similar goods are usually grouped together.
Prices are rarely fixed, so haggling is part of the game of shopping at the Grand Bazaar.
Despite the immense wealth present in the Bazaar, thievery is extremely seldom.
The theft shocked the whole of Istanbul.
The culprit was executed by hanging.
It destroys the history and the culture of Istanbul.
They chase out the original residents, small businesses and traditional trades.
But there will be nothing else left.
Its a terrible loss for Istanbul.
Little by little, it becomes like Las Vegas.
Mayor Demir has but assured that renovations would return the bazaar to its original state.
Nobody will be forced to open a hotel, he said.
Chapman/Flickr
Photo credit:Robbie/Flickr
A cafe inside Grand Bazaar.
