Covered Bazaar and Gümrük Hanı

Overview

North of the pools, Şanlıurfa's covered bazaar is a working market of coppersmiths, spice and textile sellers, felt makers and tea houses. At its heart is the Gümrük Hanı, a two-storey Ottoman caravanserai of banded stone built in the 1560s under the governor Behram Pasha, whose courtyard is now the city's favourite place for tea and coffee. The vaulted Bedesten next to it opens onto the han.

Highlights

• The Gümrük Hanı courtyard, a 1560s caravanserai
• Coppersmiths, spice sellers and felt makers at work
• The vaulted Bedesten beside the han

History & Discovery

The Gümrük Hanı was built in the 1560s by the Ottoman governor of Urfa, Behram Pasha; its inscription gives the Hijri year 974 (1566–67). Evliya Çelebi knew it as the Yetmiş Hanı, and its two-coloured stone gave it the name Alaca Han. It was the centre of the city's trade until the nineteenth century.

Practical information

Getting there

In the old town a few minutes on foot from Balıklıgöl; taxis stop at the edge of the market streets.

Safety

Busy lanes — keep valuables close in the crowds.

Accessibility

Market lanes are narrow, busy and partly cobbled; the han courtyard is level.

Visitor tips

Take tea in the Gümrük Hanı courtyard; many shops close for Friday noon prayer.

Take care

• Busy lanes — keep valuables close

Location

37.1487000, 38.7895000 · Open in OpenStreetMap