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Old Silk Market. Photo by Mustafa DUMAN.

Top 10 Fascinating Facts about Old Silk Market

The Old Silk Market was built by architect Abdul-ula Pulat Shah at the order of Ottoman Sultan Bayez谋t II in 1490 in Bursa.

The centuries 鈥搊ld shopping center of Bursa i.e. the Old Silk Market also known as Koza Han was intended to generate income for mosques and madrasahs in Istanbul and Bursa.

The Old Silk Market which is a world-renowned masterpiece is the first stop for tourists in Bursa today.

The market is the most prominent and world-renowned architectural structure of the Ottoman Empire in Bursa.

The Old Silk Market is the most beautiful and most visited market in Bursa and its located between the Grand Mosque and Orhan Gazi Mosque in the city.

The top 10 facts about Old Silk Market include the following.

1. The Old Silk Market Is an Architectural Masterpiece

Queen Elizabeth 1 Statue. Photo by DrStew82.

The world-renowned Old Silk Market also known as Koza Han is the most prominent of the Ottoman Empire in Bursa.

The historic shopping center is the most beautiful and most visited by tourists and even the high and mighty in the world including Queen Elizabeth.

The market is made up of a rectangular courtyard surrounded by two floors consisting of 95 rooms.

There are cafes and shops selling silk products on the upper floor of the Koza Han which can be accessed by stone stairs on both sides of the entrance. Decorated with turquoise tiles, the large stone door opens to the north.

2. The Old Silk Market Was Turkey鈥檚 Silk Capital During Its Glory Days

Koza Han. Photo by R Prazeres.

The Old Silk Market in Bursa was Turkey鈥檚 silk capital during its glory days. Even silk not from Bursa was transported to the Koza Han where it was traded and graded.

Bursa was home to dozens of caravanserais or Hans apart from the Koza Han.  Nearly all silk at some point passed through the Old Silk Market in Bursa.

People transported countless sacks filled with silkworm cocoons to the Koza Han where bartering and haggling would begin between the brokers, traders and farmers.

The Old Silk Market today is a shadow of its former self even though people still visit it. The market does not have a silk exchange as was the norm during its glory days.

3. The Market Provided Lodging, Storage, Offices and Workshops to Traders

The Old Silk Market provided offices for conducting business and housed workshops for craftsmen. The market also provided storage for goods.

Foreign merchants found lodging for themselves and their animals at the Old Silk Market.

The commercial agent of the Medicis of Florence had his office in this building in the early 16^th century.

The market continued to be a centre of silk trade throughout history and even to this day expensive silk shops still exist in the building.

4. Market Was Built to Strengthen City鈥檚 500-year Center of Silk Trade

Sultan Bayezid II. Photo by Belli de臒il.

Built in 1490 at the order of Ottoman Sultan Bayez谋t II, the market was intended to strengthen the city’s 500-year global center of silk trade. 

The Ottoman rulers saw the market as an opportunity to take advantage of the thriving local silk industry.

Even though the Old Silk Market is not as important as it was in its glory days, it is still a great place to visit and shop.

Tourists can shop among the most beautiful local products. The Koza Han is now better than before due to the regulation and expansion of its products.

5. Locals Meet with Friends at The Market to Spend Time

Currently locals like to meet with their friends at the market to enjoy a cup of tea or coffee as they chat. Many locals spend time reading a book in the market as they enjoy the atmosphere.

Tourists on the other hand prefer wandering around the upstairs shops and galleries which sell a wide variety of silk products.

At the silk market in Bursa visitors are able to find everything imaginable that can be made of silk.

Not all silk sold in the shops come from Bursa as much is bought from different sources even outside the country.

6. Not All Silk Products Sold in The Market Contain 100% Pure Silk

Traders at the market seek to sell their goods at the highest price as with almost all markets and bazaars around the world. Customers at the market have the liberty to bargain to try to push the price down.

It is possible to buy products that are not made of 100% pure silk. In fact, some of the products are made entirely of synthetic materials instead of silk. Tourists should be careful since genuine silk products are likely to cost more.

7. Tourists Can Stay at The Caravan Saray Hotel in Bursa City Located 15 Minutes Away

Tourists visiting the market can stay at the Caravan Saray Hotel which is located 15 minutes from the hotel. The hotel has a restaurant, lounge and offers valet service among others.

The hotel offers free Wi-Fi and free breakfast bucket.

8. The Market Sits in The Center of The Grand Bazaar

The market which is adorned with dozens of shops selling all types of silk products sits in the center of the Grand Bazaar.

Presently there are lots of printed silk scarfs on sale in the market which are reasonably prized.

9. At the Centre Of the Market Is A Small Stone Mosque

Koza Han Mosque. Photo by Mustafa DUMAN.

A small octagonal stone mosque or prayer room sits at the center of the courtyard in the market. The mosque is raised above the ground on 8 pillars and a marble stair case has been erected to enable worshippers access it.

The elevation was to make sure the mosque was not soiled by animals kept on the ground floor by merchants. A fountain and a washing area for ritual ablutions is set under the mosque at the ground level.

10. The Market Was Also Called the Cocoon Bazaar

Throughout history the market has continued to be a center of silk trade.  Even though the industry is not as prominent as it was during early days expensive silk shops are still present today.

In addition to dealing in silk textiles, it was also involved in the production and sale of silk cocoons. Due to this trade it was also called the 鈥淐ocoon Bazaar鈥�