Mardin Historic Bazaar
A labyrinth of filigree and spice
Image credit: Ben Bender, CC BY-SA 3.0
About
Running parallel to the sloping main street of old Mardin, the historic bazaar is the living heart of the city's centuries-old trade and craft tradition. With its stone-arched passages and narrow streets, the bazaar is a labyrinth of discovery in itself. In the bazaar, the workshops of masters of telkâri (silver filigree) — Mardin's most famous craft — coppersmiths, spice sellers and soap makers blend into one another. The finely worked silver jewellery in the jewellers' windows, the spice scents hanging in the air and loads carried on donkeys lend the bazaar a timeless Eastern atmosphere. Ideal for regional products, sugared almonds, walnut sucuk and handmade gifts, the bazaar is an incomparable place not only for shopping but for witnessing Mardin's multicultural daily life.
History
The Mardin bazaar is a legacy of the city's historic commercial position on the Silk Road and has operated in the same fabric for centuries. Telkâri silver filigree is a traditional craft passed from generation to generation in the city and still alive.
Visiting Tips
- ✓Visit the telkâri silver workshops
- ✓Taste sugared almonds and walnut sucuk
- ✓Bargaining is customary
- ✓Wear comfy shoes; the streets are sloping
- ✓Mardin soap makes a lovely gift
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Mardin Historic Bazaar?
Mardin Historic Bazaar is located at Eski Mardin, Artuklu, Mardin in Mardin.
When is the best time to visit Mardin Historic Bazaar?
Recommended time: Year-round, morning and afternoon.
