Arcaded Bazaar and Old Streets

History

Mardin's bazaar has worked along the same axis since the city was founded: a line of arcaded shops running parallel to the main street, housing the same crafts for centuries. The name Tellallar comes from the old practice of selling goods by public auction.

Why go

The sound of hammered copper is still here. Spice merchants, Mardin silk woven from cocoons, terebinth soap, sugared almonds and filigree silver workshops are gathered within a hundred metres. The bazaar is where Mardin's multilingual past is most alive: Arabic, Kurdish, Syriac and Turkish are all heard at once.

Visiting notes

Lively from 9am to early evening; many shops close around midday on Friday. Bargaining is normal but done politely. If a coppersmith invites you in for coffee, accept — that is the best way to understand the place.

Getting there

Walk down to First Street from the mansion; the bazaar spreads along both sides. About a 6-minute walk.