Historical Bursa Grand Bazaar and Mirrored Bazaar: Shopping and History Guide

The First Bazaar of the Ottoman Empire: History of the Grand Bazaar and Bedesten

The first organized bazaar construction in Bursa, the trade capital of the Ottoman Empire, was started in 1339 during the reign of Orhan Gazi. The region, crowned with the Bedesten (Jewellers' Bazaar) built by Yıldırım Bayezid, has been the meeting point of silk and spice caravans coming from the east and gold and fabric merchants coming from the west for centuries.

Bursa Grand Bazaar complex; It served as an architectural and organizational prototype for the world-famous Istanbul Grand Bazaar, which was built by Mehmed the Conqueror after he conquered Istanbul. Despite the great fires it has survived throughout history and the 1855 earthquake, it still stands tall today with its vaulted ceilings, iron doors and centuries-old guild traditions.

Featured Bazaar Sections and Discovery Spots

1. Historical Grand Bazaar Main Street

The main vaulted street that starts right behind the Grand Mosque and extends to Cumhuriyet Street; It is the most lively commercial center of Bursa with jewelers, currency exchange offices, traditional wedding dress and dowry shops.

2. Mirrored Bazaar (Old Orhan Bey Bath)

Immediately adjacent to the Grand Bazaar, Mirrored Bazaar was originally built as a bath (Bey Hamam / Kavaflar Hamam) by Orhan Gazi in 1339 in order to generate income for the social complex. The place, which was restored and turned into a bazaar during the Republic period, took its name from the giant full-length mirrors hung in the shops. Today, it is the most authentic point where Bursa's famous Sword and Shield sets, silversmiths, antique dealers, old coins and handmade souvenirs are sold.

3. Long Bazaar and Open Bazaars

Towel sellers, fabric sellers, knife sellers and spice sellers are lined up side by side in the labyrinth streets connected to each other by historical caravanserais such as Koza Han, Fidan Han, Pirinç Han and Geyve Han.

Where and How to Get to Bursa Grand Bazaar?

The Grand Bazaar complex is located in the Osmangazi district, between the north of the Ulu Mosque and Cumhuriyet Street.

• By metro: You can take Bursaray line 1 or 2, get off at Şehreküstü station and follow the Grand Bazaar signs and reach it in 4 minutes.
• By Tram: You can enter the market directly by getting off at the Ulu Cami stop with the T1 Tram and passing through Koza Han, or by getting off at the stops on Cumhuriyet Street with the T3 Nostalgic Tram.
• Parking: Grand Bazaar Multi-Storey Car Park or Zafer Plaza car park are the nearest car drop-off points.

What to Do in the Grand Bazaar? Editor's Recommendations

• Antique Hunt at Mirrored Bazaar: Enter the domed Mirrored Bazaar and examine historical silver jewelry, Ottoman-era pocket watches and mother-of-pearl inlaid boxes.
• Traditional Bursa Towel: Stop by the Towel Shop Street of the Grand Bazaar and obtain the world-famous cotton Bursa towels and bathrobes first-hand.
• Historical Bazaar Tradesmen's Restaurants: Taste Bursa cantık, meatballs with pita or lamb tandoori in the centuries-old tradesmen's restaurants in the middle of the bazaar.