Cross the busy street from the Dergah Complex of mosques to Urfa’s ancient Bazaar. The major part of the bazaar was built by Suleyman the Magnificent in the 16th century and is filled with of inns and bazaars; concentrated around the Gumruk Han/Inn that retain their historical character. Guide, Oz asked us to stay together and do the shopping tomorrow. You have no idea how much I hate that! Especially since we never did have a chance to return the next day. Oh well…into the Bazaar to be led through a very few of the important streets.

The street of coppersmiths and tinsmiths was located in the Huseyniye Bazaars with its 15 cross vaults…View image; a street of tailors….View image, open streets and narrow covered lanes.

The oldest section of the Urfa Bazaar is called the Bedestan. Kazzaz Bazaar, built in 1562, had shops on both sides of the inner passage selling fabric, local male garb and female dresses, and, stacks of my favorite purple scarfs. This ancient caravanserai has been selling silk goods for centuries…View image.

Through one of the many open air courtyards with more elaborately decorated clothes…View image, to where several men were selling loose tobacco in bags…View image. One vendor rolled a cigarette for Elizabeth, the group’s only smoker, who commented, “not bad at all.”

Sipahi Bazaar is known for carpet, kilims and felt. Walking, walking, lagging behind every now and then to examine shops a little closer. Into one selling “older” ewers. Ogling at the incredible decoration on severe black hijabs for sale with rows of crystals, beading and glitz around the neck and down the front for festive occasions.

As interesting as the Urfa Bazaar was, the Mardin Bazaar was still my favorite in Southeastern Turkey.