The Egyptian Bazaar (Misir Carsisi in Turkish ) is also known as Spice Market. It's located just behind the Yeni Mosque at Eminonu Neighborhood, at the entrance of the Golden Horn. The Bazaar was originally made of wood in mid-17th century by the architect Kazim Aga, and got its final restorations during mid-forties. The name comes from the fact that Egyptians used to sell their spices here and that it once received income from taxes levied on Egypt. Instead the English name comes from the days when the Bazaar was specialized on selling spices and herbs, medicinal plants and drugs. Lately, there are also shops selling stuff other than spices but you can still see and smell many interesting spices, dried fruits and nuts, teas , oils and essences, sweets, honeycombs, and aphrodisiacs.
The Spice Market has 86 shops inside. Outside there is a plant market on one side and a food market on the other. There are 6 gates of the L-shaped Bazaar. The ceiling is higher respect to Grand Bazaar , and this is also covered with domes.
The Egyptian Bazaar is open daily between 09:00-19.00 except during public or religious holidays . Since 2009 it remains open on Sundays too, between 10:00-18:00.
